16 October 2024
Return of the Zombies (1973)
89 min.
Directed by José Luis Merino.
With Stelvio Rosi, Paul Naschy, Dianik Zurakowska, Gérard Tichy, Maria Pia Conte, Carlos Quiney, Aurora de Alba.
This Spanish zombie horror is sluggish but offers up a fun conclusion.

After the death of his uncle, young Chekhov (Rosi) arrives in his family's small village as the primary inheritor of the estate.

But Chekhov meets instead with some unexpected events: a relative is found murdered and then inexplicably hung from a tree. His aunt dabbles in witchcraft, while a local professor experiments with reviving the dead via electricity.

And what of the creepy gravedigger (Naschy) scurrying about in the underground catacombs?

Rather topheavy with exposition, this minor undead effort is redeemed somewhat by its musty mood; picks up steam with the climax and a great scene with Naschy losing his head...literally.

Also known either as Beyond the Living Dead or The Hanging Woman.

Spanish: La Orgía de los muertos.

© copyright 1998-present | The Terror Trap; www.terrortrap.com | all rights reserved