Uncovering Coffin Joe

The Coffin Joe movie series is online. Despite the oppressively nominal budgets and zany, head-turning dialogue, these films are true madness.

Brazilian director, actor, and screenwriter Jose Mojica Marins created the Coffin Joe character and introduced him back in 1963 in the film At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul.  Coffin Joe is a narcissistic, blood lusting undertaker who is determined to protect his bloodline by finding the “perfect woman” and believes that any person allowing their superstitions to undermine success are weak and unworthy of living. While there is an official Coffin Joe Trilogy, the character also appeared in other horror films directed by Marins but as an archetype of hallucinations and evil rather than an actual cast member.

Notable for his black top hat, black cape, and grotesque elongated fingernails (which Marins maintains in real life), Coffin Joe enjoyed native success in Brazil appearing in music, comic books, and television; and enjoys a rowdy cult following in the United States.  Marins recently appeared as a guest at the 2013 inaugural Housecore Horror Festival in Austin, Tx. where there was a screening of At Midnight…. and a Q&A session with the filmmaker.

For someone unfamiliar with Coffin Joe, curiosity is the best reason to watch these movies. They do suffer from low budgets and Marins’ trial by fire approach towards directing, but they are a visual treat that I recommend.