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Fantasy Cult Classic

A legendary water spirit haunts a boarding school, transforming into a reptilian killer by the full moon.

THE LORELEY'S GRASP

You'll Never Sleep Alone Again!

1973 · 1h 25m · R · Fantasy / Horror · IMDB TMDB

The legendary Loreley has been living for centuries in a grotto beneath the river Rhein in Germany. Every night when the moon is full, she turns into a reptile-like creature craving for human blood.

Quick Answer

What is The Loreley's Grasp about?

The Loreley's Grasp is a 1973 Spanish fantasy horror film directed by Amando de Ossorio about a legendary water spirit who transforms into a reptilian monster and terrorizes a boarding school near the Rhine river every full moon.

Programmer's Pick

Amando de Ossorio trades in tombs for the rippling Rhine, unleashing a shape-shifting aquatic menace in sheer nightgown territory. It’s a feverish blend of folklore, boarding school horror, and reptilian transformations—where the full moon means it’s open season on unsuspecting students.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In a small German village bordering the Rhine, a series of grisly murders disrupts life at a nearby girls' boarding school. The locals believe a centuries-old legend: the water spirit Lorelei, who dwells in a grotto beneath the river, transforms into a bloodthirsty reptilian creature whenever the full moon rises. As terror mounts, the school enlists Sigurd, a seasoned hunter, to protect the students. He imposes strict curfews and attempts to unravel the truth behind the mysterious killings, while the myth of Lorelei casts a long shadow over the moonlit nights. The film blends mythic horror with gothic atmosphere and hints of eroticism, setting the stage for a supernatural struggle against an ancient menace.

Details & Specs

Director
Amando de Ossorio
Writer
Amando de Ossorio
Release
1973
Runtime
1h 25m
Country
Spain
Language
Spanish
Genres
Fantasy, Horror
Also Known As
The Loreley's Grasp, The Loreley's Grasp - Die Bestie im Mädchen-Pensionat, The Night the Screaming Stopped, Grasp of the Lorelei, Die Bestie im Mädchen-Pensionat, The Lorelei's Grasp, When the Screaming Stops, The Under Water City, Original title: Las garras de Lorelei

Why This Matters

Directed by Amando de Ossorio, this Spanish horror film underwent multiple U.S. theatrical and home video releases under different titles, reflecting its evolving distribution history and cult reputation despite negative critical reception.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Why Cult

Mythic Monster Folklore

The film draws on the legendary Lorelei myth, turning it into a full-blooded creature feature with shapeshifting horror.

Gothic Boarding School Setting

A moonlit girls' school by the Rhine becomes ground zero for supernatural terror, complete with curfews and locked doors.

Reptilian Transformations

Lorelei’s shift from enchanting woman to reptilian monster is both haunting and memorably practical.

Euro Erotic Horror Flair

Spanish genre stylings meet nudity, sheer nightgowns, and psychotronic touches for a distinctly continental shocker.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Full moon transformation

Threat

Lorelei, a shapeshifting water spirit

Effect

Grisly murders of boarding school students

Countermeasure

Irradiated dagger created by Professor Von Lander

Setting

German village, boarding school, grotto beneath the Rhine

Questions from the Vault

Who directed The Loreley's Grasp? +

The Loreley's Grasp was directed by Amando de Ossorio.

How long is The Loreley's Grasp? +

The Loreley's Grasp has a runtime of 85 minutes.

What genre is The Loreley's Grasp? +

The Loreley's Grasp is a fantasy horror film.

Where can I watch The Loreley's Grasp? +

You can watch The Loreley's Grasp on SassyFlix.

How can the Lorelei be stopped in this film? +

According to Professor Von Lander, an irradiated dagger is the only weapon capable of reverting the Lorelei back to her human form and ultimately stopping her.

Trailers & Clips