HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB (1972)

[The Burgomaster]

The only thing that I can say about this movie, and the DVD release, is "incredible."

HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB is another 1970s Spanish import starring Paul Naschy (real name: Jacinto Molina).  And BOY is it bad.

Naschy stars as a knight who is beheaded for witchcraft, cannibalism, lycanthropy, and a list of other nasty things.  Centuries later, his head returns to life and commands a group of people to attach his head to his body.  Shots of Naschy's talking head are absolutely ridiculous . . . the worst I've seen since THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE.  Even more ridiculous is when his evil lover turns into a skeleton.  The skeleton is about the same quality as the plastic ones that you can buy in costume shops around Halloween.

The 2-disk DVD set is amazing in that it includes THREE versions of the movie.  The uncut European version (full frame), the "clothed" version, which replaces some of the nude scenes with scenes of people wearing clothes (widescreen), and the U.S. release version (not sure if it's full frame or widescreen or how much nudity and violence is missing because I haven't tried to watch it yet).  All this for under $9.00!

This is the perfect movie for a "make your own MST3K" party.  It has enough cheapo gore effects, hilarious dubbing, and general stupidity for you and your friends to make fun of it from beginning to end . . . if you can watch it that long without yanking it out of your DVD player and tossing it across the room.

[Scott]

Burgomaster you have found another gem. I own this film and really love it. The opening scene leading to the beheading was well shot in my opinion. Yes, it has some bad moments, but that is the magic of this film. The one line I like is the dubbed version when the guy says "this is to fantastic how can this happen in this day and age". Well, I guess you have to see it be understand. The music is classic horror music. This is the type of film I can watch again. I have a cheap version of it, but that 3 version one sounds great. For as bad as you think it is Burgomaster I know you truely love this Paul Naschy film. Good film produced in Spain.  Good for anyones collection. Enjoy Burgomaster.



Post Edited (05-10-04 23:00)

[The Burgomaster]

Scott:

My favorite part of the dubbing is when they are in the car talking about gangs of robbers.  One guy keeps saying, "They should be denounced.  They should be denounced."

Yeah, that would be really effective.  "Gang of robbers . . . I hereby denounce you!"

Reply, "Oh . . . okay . . . sorry . . . we won't rob you anymore."

The dubbed dialogue is ridiculous throughout the movie, which is why it would be great MST3K material.

By the way: yes, I am a big Paul Naschy fan.  If you haven't seen WEREWOLF SHADOW you should check it out.  It is the uncut version of THE WEREWOLF VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMAN.  The DVD quality is excellent and the movie itself is a lot of fun.

[StatCat]

I don't have this yet but a 2 disc set for $9- think it's definitely time to put in an order at DDVD. I grabbed for $8 the Elite discs for Beach Girls and the Monster/ Brain From Planet Arnous- I think it's $8 for both (at least that's how it's listed) a steal.  Also preordered Destroy All Monsters (DVD and CD) for $12.  

Other good Naschy DVD's:

Werewolf Shadow
Curse of the Devil
Crimson

[The Burgomaster]

StatCat:

I have CURSE OF THE DEVIL, but I found it a bit slow-moving the first time I watched it.  I'll give it another try . . .

There is also one called EXORCISM that is available on DVD.  I'll probably order it eventually.

I wish they would release more of his werewolf movies.

[StatCat]

Fury of the Wolfman is out on DVD, but it's a cheap alpha dvd version that doesn't look so good.

Another one is Dracula's Great Love, which is a pretty decent release.

Never heard of Exorcism.

[Scott]

Yea, I have THE WEREWOLF VS THE VAMPIRE WOMAN and like it. I didn't know it had an uncut version. I keep a lookout for WEREWOLF SHADOW.

I'm always keeping a look out for Paul Naschy films and anything coming from Spain.

In fact anything from Europe.

[StatCat]

Another good Naschy werewolf flick is Night of the Howling Beast (not on DVD) In this one he takes on the abominable snow man- goofy as hell. There should be a box set of his werewolf films.