Knights Templar’s Nightmarish Retur

Read Time:5 Minute, 13 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Tombs Of The Blind Dead
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Genre: Adventure, Horror, Thriller
Year Released: 1972, 2023 Synapse Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 41m
Director(s): Amando de Ossorio
Writer(s): Jesús Navarro Carrión, Amando de Ossorio
Cast: Lone Fleming, César Burner, María Elena Arpón, José Thelman
Where To Watch: available October 24, 2023; pre-order www.mvdshop.com, www.synapsefilms.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Embark on a journey into the depths of TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD, where echoes of a dark past merge with unspeakable horrors in an unsettling exploration of terror. This isn't your standard modern-day horror flick; it's an artful reflection of Francoist Spain, melding historical authenticity with heart-pounding terror. Prepare for an experience that doesn't just scare but haunts, disturbs and lingers long after the end. It is very reminiscent of the slow-burn and graphic style of the Giallo genre.

Dive deep into a world where history isn't just a lesson but a living nightmare in TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD. Here, a fictionalized version of the Knights Templar rise again, not as just a historical footnote but as menacing shadows of a time best forgotten, embodying the inescapable darkness of a nation's past. It's a horror narrative with a twist, where the corridors of history are as chilling as the most terrifying ghost stories.

The film isn't solely a parade of ghastly knights; it thrives on its human drama. Meet Betty (Lone Fleming,) Virginia (María Elena Arpón,) and Roger (César Burner,) the trio whose lives are a microcosm of their era's societal turmoil. Their struggles are more than just fodder for scares; they represent the more significant clashes of a society at a crossroads. In this movie, personal betrayals and desires aren't just individual dramas; they're the stage for a more significant societal showdown wrapped in horror.

TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD celebrates its horror pedigree, fully embracing the genre's hallmarks. The undead Templars break the mold as villains, embodying decay and the dark side of human nature. The terror here is visceral, raw, and primal, unafraid to expose viewers to the stark brutality of its themes through its bold use of violence and nudity. Ironically, the film crosses from horror to drama, mixing the two genres enthusiastically and making each an essential part of the film experience. Director Amando de Ossorio paints a canvas as much art as horror. The Templars, in their decaying glory, are both repellent and hypnotic. The film's score is a character in its own right, a haunting melody that follows you home.

The Knights' practical effects are genuinely timeless. Some of the other effects may have shown their age, but that may partially be because of this gorgeous restoration; the film looks like we are sitting down for its first-day premiere (or even better).

The performances, particularly Fleming's, create an ethereal sense of fear. However, the film's portrayal of women leaves room for criticism. This was a different time, but it's important to note that the movie sometimes veers into exploitation, particularly in a graphic scene that is hard to consume. These moments are stark reminders of the movie's age and cultural context.

The movie's heart lies in its moody storytelling. It's not a scare-a-minutethon; it's a creeping mist of dread. The slow burn is critical to its unnerving ambiance, a horror felt in the bones rather than seen in sudden movements.

TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD is a cultural artifact, capturing more than just on-screen scares but a nation's struggle with its dark past. While not without its issues, its audacious storytelling and haunting atmosphere secure its spot as a cult classic, offering a chilling exploration into the ghosts we cannot, for better or worse, leave behind. I hope that three sequels are eventually restored as well!

Bonus Materials
– High-definition (1080p) Blu-ray™ presentation of the original uncut version
– Lossless Spanish PCM 2.0 mono soundtrack
– Lossless “hybrid” English/Spanish PCM 2.0 mono soundtrack
– Optional English subtitles for the Spanish track
– Optional English subtitles for the Spanish sections of the hybrid soundtrack
– Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the hybrid soundtrack
– Audio commentary with horror film historian and author Troy Howarth
– Audio commentary with star Lone Fleming
– Audio commentary with Rod Barnett & Troy Guinn of the NaschyCast podcast
– Marauders from the Mediterranean – a feature-length documentary exploring the history of the Spanish zombie film, featuring interviews with Night of the Living Dead writer/producer John Russo, Stiges Film Festival deputy director Mike Hostench, and more!
– Revenge of Planet Ape – Alternate U.S. Opening Sequence
– Awakening of Spanish Horror Cinema – Featurette by film historian Marcus Stiglegger
– Salem’s Pop “Templar’s Tears” music video
– Original Theatrical Trailer
– Still Gallery
– Additional 1080p Blu-ray featuring the alternate U.S. cut entitled, THE BLIND DEAD

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[photo courtesy of SYNAPSE FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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