The Psychedelic Priest
He Came From The Swamp: The William Grefé Collection
•
1h 20m
Father John (John Darrell) begins to question his faith after he accidentally ingests some LSD given to him in a cola. Amid images of religious motifs and becomes the Psychedelic Priest. Setting off across America on a journey of self-discovery, he wanders the country and comes across a pretty blonde hippie hitchhiker named Sunny (Carolyn Hall). He gives her a ride and the two decide to hang together, camping out at night, getting high, and generally enjoying life. But when Sunny professes her love for John he rejects the poor girl mercilessly. Originally titled Electric Shades of Grey, The Psychedelic Priest is a real rarity from the tail end of the hippie movement. According to cinematographer (and unbilled co-director) William Grefé, the producer raised the film's budget by promoting trading stamps, and the shooting schedule demanded a certain amount of improvisation. Yet despite these dubious beginnings, The Psychedelic Priest emerges as an interesting and, at times, disturbing film which manages to use its exploitation base to air some not so flattering views on religion and faith. Filmed in 1971 but not released until 2001.
Up Next in He Came From The Swamp: The William Grefé Collection
-
The Naked Zoo
1970 • United States • Directed by William Grefé
Love and crime in Miami's Cocoanut Grove artist's colony. Swinging young writer Stephen Oliver has a falling-out with benefactress Rita Hayworth in the wake of a wild LSD party. Rita foolishly tries blackmail after Oliver's reconciliation attempt ...
-
Mako: The Jaws of Death
1976 • United States • Directed by William Grefé
A man accidentally learns that he has a mystical connection with sharks, and is given a strange medallion by a shaman. Becoming more and more alienated from normal society, he develops an ability to communicate with sharks telepathically, setting ...
-
Whiskey Mountain
Bill, Dan, Diana and Jamie, four motorcyclists who arrived at Whiskey Mountain for a treasure hunt, are terrorized in the woods by a gang of murderous hillbilly drug dealers.
