The most important thing about the new Synapse Films Blu-Ray release of Tombs of the Blind Dead is that the film looks great in High Definition 1080p.
In both the uncut Spanish-language original version and the U.S. theatrical cut of The Blind Dead, the transfer is crisp with rich audio. That also means sunny exteriors are rich and vibrant. And the best part is eerie, shadowy moments as the leads cope with skeletal zombie Knights Templar.
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This release also affords the opportunity to compare storylines between versions. Relationships are just slightly more complex among the leads in the Spanish version, and structure is altered in the U.S. version, opening with an historic scene of ritual sacrifice by the blood-drinking knights.
Regardless of version, the storyline revolves around friends Virginia (María Elena Arpón) and Betty (Lone Fleming) and Virginia’s boyfriend Roger (Roger Whelan) encountering caped, horseback riding and menacing undead knights.
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Grim horror unfolds from there, and it’s easy to understand why the 1971 flick captured audiences and spawned sequels in its day.
Beyond the film versions, extras are where the two-disc set Wicked Horror was provided for review really shines.
It’s truly packed. The standout item is Marauders from the Mediterranean, an approximately 90-minute documentary on Spanish horror of the 1970s. Highlights include discussion from Night of the Living Dead writer/producer John Russo. In addition to contemplation of NOTLD’s influence on Spanish zombie films, Russo discusses his work with George A. Romero on the script development, the influence of Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, and how the Night of the Living Dead ending was devised.
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Additional texture and context are provided by Tombs of the Blind Dead stars Lone Fleming, Sergio Molina (son of Spanish horror superstar Paul Naschy), author Kim Newman and a host of film scholars and historians. Insights include a dissection of the picture’s creation under the fascist regime of Francisco Franco.
A fun bonus is the opening of Revenge of Planet Ape, an alternate U.S. opening sequence/narration perpetrated by an “unscrupulous” distributor hoping to tie the film to the successful Planet of the Apes franchise.
Other extras include a Spanish-language featurette, Awakening of Spanish Horror Cinema, and a number of audio commentaries featuring:
- Horror film historian and author Troy Howarth
- Star Lone Fleming
- Rod Barnett & Troy Guinn of the NaschyCast podcast
Other extras include a music video called “Templar’s Tears” by Salem’s Pop and the original theatrical trailer.
The Tombs of the Blind Dead 2-disc set is region free and is available now.
