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Vengeance Of The Zombies
[Deimos]
1972; color
Directed by Leon Klimovsky
Starring: Paul Naschy, Romy, Mirta Miller, Vic Winner & Maria Kosti
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Generally speaking, the movies we've reviewed on the Buffet starring swarthy Spaniard Paul Naschy so far have been of the monster variety. (Which is somewhat fitting, as the role of Waldemar Daninsky, AKA that guy who always turns into a werewolf during a full moon, is arguably his most famous.) Playing a werewolf, or a vampire, or a werewolf with vampiric tendencies is just the tip of the Naschy iceberg however; he's also been known to play such varied roles as a Hindu mystic, a disfigured madman and even Satan. In today's subject, Vengeance Of The Zombies, he plays all three! Plus he wrote the screenplay. (Oddly enough, he did allow someone else direct the film, his frequent collaborator Leon Klimovsky.) Thus explaining why he's pretty much constantly surrounded by attractive women - or attractive women covered up with long black robes and silly zombie make-up - in all three roles. Anywhoo, those who prefer the type of zombie flick preferred by pretty much every BMB reviewer besides me might be disappointed by the lack of entrails, gaping flesh wounds and general goopiness present in this film, as would anyone who cares about a clearly defined linear plot, but I certainly didn't miss any of those things. And it's a little late in the site's existence to judge films based on clearly defined linear plots. I do enjoy a good ol' fashioned fake beheading or hatchet to the forehead though, and this definitely delivers on that end. It also has a ridiculously awesome soundtrack (think Vampiros Lesbos meets Bombay The Hard Way) and awesomely ridiculous make-up… and effects… and bad acting… and sexy women in various stages of dress and undress… but, like I said earlier, very little in terms of a story with an easy to explain beginning, middle or end. (And don't even get me started on all the points in between.) Therefore I'm not going to bother to try and explain it. But I will point out that this DVD release is pretty swanky. It's a high definition transfer from the original negative (whatever that means); presented in both a sub-titled Castilian version and a dubbed English version; it includes a whole still gallery with posters and other assorted advertising swag; and features "alternate 'clothed' versions of the nude scenes used for the original theatrical release." (Of course, based on the preferences of our audience, the clothed version of anything wouldn't be considered a bonus.) There's even a brief missive from Naschy at the beginning of the festivities. What more could the casual fan or die hard Naschy lover ask for?
—Bunny
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