I've seen this movie, which I consider to be more of a vampire than a zombie film, 3 times, and it's gotten better each time:
1) The first time was on the old Elvira show back in the 80s. She made it very amusing, and, being the snot that I was at the time, I thought TOTBD was nothing more than a run of the mill, slow-moving, cheesy, Euro-trash horror film aided by Elvira's gags;
HOWEVER and BOY WAS I WRONG...
2) The second time I watched it--well, sort of watched it--was after I bought the subtitled, enhanced video by Anchor Bay. I admit, I fell asleep not long after Virginia gets it, but I don't think I did this because the movie is so slow. Instead, I think it was because I was just tired and the film made me really uneasy, so I opted to doze off;
3) The third time was within the last two hours, and I'm definitely on the side of those who laud the film. Whoa, what a nerve jangler! At this time, I think I prefer it over other films of its ilk just because it's so rich with detail.
Part horror story, part fantasy, party pseudo-historical romance, part Euro-trash sexploiter, part ethnography, it just has it all. Moreover, I found the plot to be just fine, and I actually noted the development of Betty's character and found her especially engaging.
I'm so glad I gave this film another try. As Halloween is fast approaching, I'll now have the opportunity to recommend it to friends looking for a really chilling film.
Musidora
1) The first time was on the old Elvira show back in the 80s. She made it very amusing, and, being the snot that I was at the time, I thought TOTBD was nothing more than a run of the mill, slow-moving, cheesy, Euro-trash horror film aided by Elvira's gags;
HOWEVER and BOY WAS I WRONG...
2) The second time I watched it--well, sort of watched it--was after I bought the subtitled, enhanced video by Anchor Bay. I admit, I fell asleep not long after Virginia gets it, but I don't think I did this because the movie is so slow. Instead, I think it was because I was just tired and the film made me really uneasy, so I opted to doze off;
3) The third time was within the last two hours, and I'm definitely on the side of those who laud the film. Whoa, what a nerve jangler! At this time, I think I prefer it over other films of its ilk just because it's so rich with detail.
Part horror story, part fantasy, party pseudo-historical romance, part Euro-trash sexploiter, part ethnography, it just has it all. Moreover, I found the plot to be just fine, and I actually noted the development of Betty's character and found her especially engaging.
I'm so glad I gave this film another try. As Halloween is fast approaching, I'll now have the opportunity to recommend it to friends looking for a really chilling film.
Musidora