Incubus (1966 film)

Incubus
poster for the film
Directed by	Leslie Stevens
Produced by	Anthony M. Taylor
Written by	Leslie Stevens
Starring	William Shatner Milos Milos Allyson Ames
Narrated by	Paolo Cossa
Music by	Dominic Frontiere
Cinematography	Conrad Hall William A. Fraker (uncredited)
Edited by	Richard K. Brockway
Distributed by	Contempo III Productions
Release date	October 26, 1966 (SF Film Fest.)
Running time	78 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Esperanto
Budget	$125,000 (est)

Incubus (Esperanto: Inkubo) is a 1966 black-and-white American horror film filmed entirely in the constructed language Esperanto. It was directed by Leslie Stevens, creator of The Outer Limits, and stars William Shatner, shortly before he would begin his work on Star Trek. The film's cinematography was by Conrad Hall, who went on to win three Academy Awards for his work on the films Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, American Beauty and Road to Perdition.

The use of Esperanto was intended to create an eerie, other-worldly feeling, and Stevens prohibited dubbing the film into other languages; however, on the Special Features section of the DVD the makers claim that Esperanto was used because of perceived greater international sales.

Incubus was the second feature film primarily using Esperanto. (The first, Angoroj ("Agonies"), appeared in 1964.)

Esperanto speakers are generally disappointed by the pronunciation of the language by the cast of Incubus.

The film was considered to be lost for many years, until a copy was found in Paris in 1996.

The film is set in the village of Nomen Tuum (Latin, "your name"), which has a well that can heal the sick and make a person more beautiful. Because of the latter, many conceited or corrupt individuals come to the village for this cosmetic effect. The village has notoriety for its magical water, as well as being a ground for darkness and demons. Along the village, succubi entice the tainted souls who come to Nomen Tuum and lead them to their deaths in order to offer their souls to Hell/the God of Darkness. A prominent young succubus named Kia (Allyson Ames) loathes the routine of herding sinners to hell. Kia claims her powers are being wasted, and needs something/someone more stimulating as her prey. Her sister succubus, Amael (Eloise Hardt), warns Kia of the danger that a pure soul will bring: love. Kia persists anyway and attempts to find a clergyman to seduce into darkness. After watching their behaviour, however, she realizes these men are just as iniquitous and shrewd as her previous victims.