This is way above-average for a Paul Naschy film – the best I have watched so far, in fact – though his own part is secondary, even brief (albeit undeniably interesting). For the record, the English title has little bearing on the main narrative; the original actually translates to ORGY OF THE DEAD (nothing to do with the 1965 Ed Wood-scripted film). Incidentally, the Spanish dialogue makes all the difference in this case and though the print, culled from a TV broadcast, was far from optimal – especially glaring were the day-for-night scenes – the striking color scheme was effectively rendered nonetheless. As often happens with Euro-Cult fare, there are several alternate versions of this one out there, often sporting ludicrous monikers
none more so than the howlingly {sic} inane BRACULA: THE TERROR OF THE LIVING DEATH!!
The premise (for once, not supplied by Naschy himself) is hardly novel, what with the zombie outbreak at its center; however, given the period setting, the fact that the monsters are (refreshingly) of the slave rather than flesh-eating variety, and numerous subplots that include a family inheritance, a mad doctor, the practice of black magic and necrophilia, the result is most enjoyable and reasonably accomplished of its type. The (modern-looking) hero is something of a stud who becomes romantically involved with the nymphomaniac/occultist head of the household (to which he has been invited as a beneficiary of her late husband's will) and her virtuous maid (whose father, played by THE BLANCHEVILLE MONSTER [1963]'s Gerard Tichy, is a live-in scientist and the deceased's ex-partner); of course, the two women (both lovely) cannot stand one another.
The film actually starts with the old man's funeral which, however, is immediately followed by the murder of his daughter and heir (the titular victim)! After some typical scared villagers antics, the leading man (one Stan Cooper!) falls foul first of the majordomo and, then, gravedigger Naschy (who is himself seduced by the medium). Soon to appear on the scene are the flustered Mayor and a no-nonsense Police Inspector (investigating the mysterious death, his prime suspects are weirdo Naschy and newcomer Cooper). Both Naschy and the lusty wife end up dead along the way, she during a séance while he is eventually revived as one of the living dead!; though the identity of the real villain is ingeniously revealed, I arrived at that conclusion long before – and there is even a nice twist ending.
The premise (for once, not supplied by Naschy himself) is hardly novel, what with the zombie outbreak at its center; however, given the period setting, the fact that the monsters are (refreshingly) of the slave rather than flesh-eating variety, and numerous subplots that include a family inheritance, a mad doctor, the practice of black magic and necrophilia, the result is most enjoyable and reasonably accomplished of its type. The (modern-looking) hero is something of a stud who becomes romantically involved with the nymphomaniac/occultist head of the household (to which he has been invited as a beneficiary of her late husband's will) and her virtuous maid (whose father, played by THE BLANCHEVILLE MONSTER [1963]'s Gerard Tichy, is a live-in scientist and the deceased's ex-partner); of course, the two women (both lovely) cannot stand one another.
The film actually starts with the old man's funeral which, however, is immediately followed by the murder of his daughter and heir (the titular victim)! After some typical scared villagers antics, the leading man (one Stan Cooper!) falls foul first of the majordomo and, then, gravedigger Naschy (who is himself seduced by the medium). Soon to appear on the scene are the flustered Mayor and a no-nonsense Police Inspector (investigating the mysterious death, his prime suspects are weirdo Naschy and newcomer Cooper). Both Naschy and the lusty wife end up dead along the way, she during a séance while he is eventually revived as one of the living dead!; though the identity of the real villain is ingeniously revealed, I arrived at that conclusion long before – and there is even a nice twist ending.