An attorney, Albert Kovac(Walter Brandi)visits a villa, reporting to go over a will for a wealthy occult professor, Geoffrey Hauff, who had reportedly died, accidentally falling down steps. His death was recorded by five people, and each one whose name was written down on the report are dying in unusual ways. Albert's vehicle suffered a damaged engine thanks to an owl(!)and he remains at the behest of Geoffrey lovely daughter, Corinne(Mirella Maravidi), who is worried for her life. The Hauff villa was erected where a hospital housing those diseased with the black plague, their severed hands(..a punishment for purposely spreading their disease to others)in a trophy case within the hall containing pictures and various artifacts found by Geoffrey as he conducted his research into the morbid history of the area. There are graves nearby the villa which hold those who died in the hospital, and it was said that Geoffrey was attempting to contact the dead, hoping to bring their spirits from their eternal slumber. Along with Corinne is her step-mother, Cleo(Barbara Steele)once a potential actress, who gave up the stage to marry Geoffrey. There's obviously more to the story for why would those specific men who reported Geoffrey's death be the ones dying? The fifth witness's name is anonymous and he could hold the answer as to why those he was with that night are winding up dead.
Unremarkable Gothic horror flick from Massimo Pupillo, who didn't take credit for it(..I can't say I blame him), using a disconcerting score to keep the viewer on edge even though nothing happens for great lengths. The copy I watched(Terror Creatures from the Grave)was ravaged by time, the quality of both the film itself and the audio track have seen better days. I kept hoping that the creatures of the title might make an appearance so that I could at least appreciate something for sitting through this tedious ordeal, but even at the end, we see none of those who rose from their caskets(..Tombs of the Blind Dead did this soooooo much better)and I felt cheated. Steele has a rather thankless role as the wife with secrets, who knows more about that night when her husband died than she's letting on..I think pretty much anyone watching can figure she's not exactly an innocent. There are some icky make-up grue such as the effects of the plague on a victim's face who assists his master in releasing the spirits of those damned, the effects of a face damaged by the trampling of a distressed horse, and the guts sticking out from the stomach of a victim who impales himself on a sword. Brandi is about as bland as the presentation of the film. Alfredo Rizzo is the local village doctor, Nemek who works with Kovac in determining what is killing the men. Recognizable Italian character actor, Luciano Pigozzi has a very small(..but important)role as Kurt, Geoffrey's loyal and trusted servant who talks to no one. Tilde Till is the very nervous and superstitious maid who trembles while working in the villa. Check this out only if you're a Barbara Steele completest, because the movie itself never rises above a mediocre, shambling exercise that lumbers along at a languid pace challenging you to stay awake. This could sure use a restoration, but I'm not certain it'd be worth it.
Unremarkable Gothic horror flick from Massimo Pupillo, who didn't take credit for it(..I can't say I blame him), using a disconcerting score to keep the viewer on edge even though nothing happens for great lengths. The copy I watched(Terror Creatures from the Grave)was ravaged by time, the quality of both the film itself and the audio track have seen better days. I kept hoping that the creatures of the title might make an appearance so that I could at least appreciate something for sitting through this tedious ordeal, but even at the end, we see none of those who rose from their caskets(..Tombs of the Blind Dead did this soooooo much better)and I felt cheated. Steele has a rather thankless role as the wife with secrets, who knows more about that night when her husband died than she's letting on..I think pretty much anyone watching can figure she's not exactly an innocent. There are some icky make-up grue such as the effects of the plague on a victim's face who assists his master in releasing the spirits of those damned, the effects of a face damaged by the trampling of a distressed horse, and the guts sticking out from the stomach of a victim who impales himself on a sword. Brandi is about as bland as the presentation of the film. Alfredo Rizzo is the local village doctor, Nemek who works with Kovac in determining what is killing the men. Recognizable Italian character actor, Luciano Pigozzi has a very small(..but important)role as Kurt, Geoffrey's loyal and trusted servant who talks to no one. Tilde Till is the very nervous and superstitious maid who trembles while working in the villa. Check this out only if you're a Barbara Steele completest, because the movie itself never rises above a mediocre, shambling exercise that lumbers along at a languid pace challenging you to stay awake. This could sure use a restoration, but I'm not certain it'd be worth it.