Tombs of the Blind Dead (1973) (DVD Review)
Directed By: Amando de Ossorio
Starring: César Burner, Lone Fleming, María Elena Arpón
Rated: UR/Region: 1/1:66/Number of disc: 1
Available from Blue Underground
In 1971, director Amando de Ossorio created what horror fans worldwide consider to be Spain’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. In Ossorio’s nightmare vision, a legion of Knights Templar – executed horsemen whose eyes have been pecked out by crows – rise rotting from their graves, hunting only by sound in a quest for human flesh. The BLIND DEAD saga begins here, as a modern-day tourist trip to the ruins of the Templar monastery unleashes a frenzy of lesbian desire, sexual violence and the unholy onslaught of the eyeless undead! This Definitive Edition of TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD – the first of the four BLIND DEAD movies – contains both the original American and uncensored Spanish Versions (complete with newly translated English subtitles), all fully restored from pristine negative materials and transferred in eye-popping High Definition.
Tombs of the Blind Dead is a popular horror film in the world of the more hardcore horror fan. And, I can also see why in a lot of ways. There is a very eerie vibe that comes from this film and the slow moving blind dead that also ride horses (That I suppose are dead as well) come across very creepy on the screen. I don’t think the film gives us the strongest characters for the dead to play off of, but this is a 1973 Italian film so what are you going to do? At least we get gore. The gore here really does add to things overall.
The major flaw of this film is the pacing. These blind dead zombies aren’t the only thing moving slow, as the plot takes it’s sweet time. This doesn’t kill the film, but it doesn’t help it at all either. The movie still maintains its quality and keeps you invested in the outcome due to the fact that our villiains are really cool here. This is a film that has a cool plot, cool zombies, and a creepy environment that you can’t deny. The pacing might suck, but outside of that we have a darn good horror film.
– Includes American Version and Uncensored Spanish Version
– Alternate Opening Sequence – REVENGE FROM PLANET APE
– Theatrical Trailer
– Poster & Still Gallery
