#11 - Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972)
I haven't seen much Spanish horror, but if this film is any indication, it's not a whole lot different than Italian horror. This movie is very distinctly European, and I don't believe it could have come from an American filmmaker. This is partially a stylistic thing (i.e., mustaches, cigarettes, and pit stains), but it is also because of the story - things like abandoned medieval villages and ancient crypts, and the superstitions that go along with them, simply doesn't exist in America.
A young woman gets lost in the countryside and is forced to spend the night in the ruins of an ancient town. During the night, she is awoken by strange noises and chanting, only to be attacked by a group of undead knights. When her body is found in a field the next day, her friends come to investigate her death. Blah blah blah, turns out the zombie knights are an ancient order of templars that would sacrifice humans to the devil, and still arise from their graves to attack anyone who dares come near their resting place.
The highlight here is the design of the knights - they are seriously creepy, and unlike any zombies that I have seen before. With tattered robes, sunken faces, and claw-like hands, they remind me of the Nazgul from Lord of the Rings, especially when they are on horseback. Oh yeah, zombie knights on horseback is just as awesome as it sounds. There are also some good atmospheric sets. The graveyard and ancient city are great, but my favorite is a scene that takes place in a creepy and poorly-lit mannequin factory.
Other than the great stylistic things this film does, there isn't much to talk about. The acting isn't great, and parts of it feel pretty dated. Still, if you're into style over substance, don't mind 70's European cinema, and enjoy unique and awesome bad guys, I recommend seeking this one out.
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