Customer Reviews

Cave of the Living Dead

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This neat little vampire flick---known in Europe as CURSE OF THE GREEN EYES---is one of those rare films that although made on a small budget, manages to catch lightning in bottle. As is often the case, those involved probably didn't even realize what was so special about the film they'd made.

The film is a fine example of the sexy and imaginative horror movies made in Europe during the 1960s. It features interesting turns on the genre, spooky cinematography and production design, and an unmistakably 1960s musical score.

The DVD---which is Region 1---has good sound and a good, clear picture. A fine addition for any Vampire/Eurohorror collector, and at a bargain price. You'll never feel the same way during a nighttime power outage after seeing this.

Odd film concerned with the mysterious deaths of local villagers. An inspector is sent to the small town to solve the mystery, where he encounters a collection of unusual characters. Before a murder occurs the electricity in town fails and vampire marks are discovered on the victim's necks. In addition, the bodies are also vanishing after the funeral. Upon talking to the locals the inspector discovers that a professor and two assistants have moved into an abandoned castle six months earlier, conducting research on blood. The villagers express fears regarding vampires inhabiting the grotto adjacent to the castle. The movie relies more on plot, with some excellent photography and creepy night sounds as opposed to thrills. Fans of modern horror films may want to stay away from this one. DVD is a quality transfer of the film.

Interesting entry to gothic/Euro/vampire series of the 1960's, this b&w little gem has alot going for it such as odd characters: mute menace, weird village doctor, amiable/alcoholic tavern keeper, black man-servent of great strength; a breezy jazz soundtrack; some outstanding set design (caveren/tombs) and nice camera work.
It seems there has been a number of deaths (6 young women in the last 6 months) in this tiny village in the middle of Yugoslavia and Inspector Doren (Adrian Hoven...catch him in the Jess Franco RED LIPS films!!!) is sent to get to the bottom of things. He ends up battling vampires of course! When the young tavern maid is killed we see shadows of Nosferatu all along the walls. You've just got to love it! You have gothic castles, scantly clad Euro-babes, a gypsy witch-woman, Wolfgang Preiss (Dr. Mabuse himself!) as a bizzare scientist living high a-top the village in rotting splendor, and those wonderful on location Yugoslavian village shots which are probably exactly the same today, white-washed simple structures 100+ yrs. old! You can smell the decay of vampires! You can see everyone's breath in the cold dampness! Lots of candle-light and crackling fires!
This is certainly an underated little treasure of a vampire film and I would urge any lover of such horrors to snatch up a copy before this one goes out of print. Great (AND FUN!) stuff.

My friends and I generally liked this one, though we thought the ending was quite lame and uninspired. There's a really pretty lead actress, would like to have seen her in more films. Every actor did a fine job and the story was good up to the end where it kind of flopped. The picture was pretty good. Not grainy or worn. I wouldn't spend too much for this but it's still worth having.

I buy a DVD for the cinema like experience. This title should not be on DVD, buy it on VHS! The experience is the same if you watch this at IMAX or on a little black and white portable TV in the kitchen while you make toast. The movie is OK, but it really does NOT belong on DVD!