Saturday, November 20, 2010

Tombs of the Blind Dead Review


Tombs of the Blind Dead, 1971
Reviewed By: Daniel S.
Directed By: Amando de Ossorio
Written by: Amando de Ossorio
Staring: Cesar Burner, Lone Fleming
Language: Spanish

Tombs of the Blind Dead" aka Night of the Blind Terror is a lengthy uneven mix of European exploitation and well executed gothic horror. Despite riffing on Hitchock's amatuer detective formula, the script boils down to attractive women and sleezy men doing stupid things and getting killed. The film's modest attempts at character development look and feel like a campy 70s Soap Opera. And while director Amando de Ossorio may let the slow parts drag and drag, the film's three major horror sequences are long and masterfully staged.

Anton Garcia Abril's unsettling score of monk chants sets the mood effectively while the authentic runied castle the movie revolves around is a geniuenly creepy location. Draped in heavy cloaks and always silent, the skeletal Templar Knights are truly frightening as they relentlessly stalk their victims through claustophobic ruins or chase them through the countryside on horseback in slow motion. Ossorio keeps the gore limited to modest blood letting but curiously doesn't shun away from erotic violence and rape. With such a strange combination of atmosphere and exploitation there is definetly something for everyone, however it may also leave viewers conflicted.

Rating:

1 comment:

  1. Dead knights actually look pretty cool, I'll be adding this one to the queue.

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