The Blind Dead Quadrology DVD Review
The Blind Dead Quadrology DVD Review
Must-see.
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Although it's been on the market awhile, I think it's worthwhile to examine the exceptional Blue Underground Special Coffin Case Edition containing late writer/director Amando de Ossorio's low-budget Spanish-language Blind Dead series of films — Tombs of the Blind Dead, Return of the Evil Dead, The Ghost Gallon, and Night of the Seagulls — from the 1970s.
If you've ever thought to yourself, "I wonder what it would be like if George A. Romero made a zombie movie loosely based on The Da Vinci Code, and Paul Naschy wrote the script?" well… you're very specific. And, here you go.
I'd never even heard of the Blind Dead before a friend of mine recommended the films and while I cannot say I am an absolute convert, these tales of grim-reaping Knights Templar seeking revenge across all time and space certainly are striking.
The best bits include the period backdrops and the nasty knights themselves (skeletal, mummy-like creatures who live on in their rusting chainmail, ride rotting steeds, and wield an array of heavy-metal medieval weaponry), as well as some of the goofy additions crafted especially for the drive-in audiences of the U.S. (the funniest one being a tacked-on opening monologue justifying a capitalistic title change "Revenge of the Planet Ape"). It's also interesting to learn that Ossorio had no choice but to make these very low-budget bloodbaths on weekends and during time off from his day job at a bank. They do look it. But at least he had (pardon the pun) a vision. The movies aren't great by any means, but they've got gusto and they have a distinctive, moldering gothic grittiness in the period sections.
Each follows the same sinful sect of nasty knights who were blinded and then killed by vigilante villagers in the 12th century, and who return some 700 years later to exact their revenge in modern-day Portugal. Unfortunately, due to the extreme budgetary constraints, the movies mostly take place in the 70s and follow pretty fallow plotlines. But the terrifying Templars themselves seem to have inspired some of the better creatures in movies like The Army Of Darkness, The Mummy remake, and even the Undead Knights game.
Each disc contains two editions of the films — mostly notably restored pictures and uncut versions, plus the tamer import cuts. English-dubbed and subtitled are each available, as are the original trailers and poster galleries. The main featurette, which is about Amando de Ossorio's colorful career, features not only the final on-camera interview with him, but also never-before-seen clips from his controversial (and career-killing) first film, The Black Flag.
The Blind Dead Collection:
• Collectible Coffin Case
• Knights of Terror illustrated booklet written by film historian Nigel J. Burrell
• Tombs Of The Blind Dead
1971 // 97 Minutes // NR
• Return Of The Evil Dead
1973 // 91 Minutes // NR
• The Ghost Galleon
1975 // 90 Minutes // NR
• Night Of The Seagulls
1976 // 89 Minutes // NR
• Amando de Ossorio: Director // Bonus Disc
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Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson