"Curse of the Undead" is a 1959 horror-western film directed by Edward Dein. The film combines two popular genres of the time – the vampire film and the western. This unique blend creates an intriguing storyline, fusing elements of the supernatural with the Wild West. The film follows a small western town plagued by a series of mysterious deaths. As the bodies pile up, the townspeople become increasingly frightened and desperate for answers. They soon discover that a vampire is on the loose, preying on the innocent and leaving a trail of blood in its wake.
This is where film historian Tom Weaver rides to the rescue. Weaver delivers an audio commentary in which he goes all out, having recruited a number of others to reenact audio from interviews he did many years ago with Dein and various cast members. He also reins in a film music expert (whose name escapes me, sorry) to elaborate on the film’s not-great electric violin-heavy score. Weaver’s own delivery is as energized as it is informative- and often quite hilarious. All of this effort for a commentary for a movie that he pretty clearly doesn’t even like all that much. Bravo, Mr. Weaver, for bringing such wonderful added value to this Blu-ray.
We open with a small western town s resident sawbones Western veteran John Hoyt and handsome young preacher Dan Eric Fleming, soon to be the star of TV s Rawhide opposite Clint Eastwood scratching their heads over the inevitable Young Woman Suffering from the Mysterious Ailment Plaguing the Area. One night Don Robles hears Isabella scream and went to her room, finding a man bent over her Drago Robles, who fled, leaving Isabella drained of blood.
They soon discover that a vampire is on the loose, preying on the innocent and leaving a trail of blood in its wake. Unlike traditional vampire tales set in gothic castles and dark city streets, "Curse of the Undead" brings the vampire mythos to the American frontier. The film showcases the clash between the lawless West and the immortal evil that lurks in the shadows.
CURSE OF THE UNDEAD (1959) – Blu-ray Review
This setting adds a new dimension to the vampire genre, introducing fresh tropes and challenges. The vampire in the film, Drake Robey, is an iconic character who redefines the image of the bloodsucking creature. He is depicted as a cowboy, dressed in traditional Western attire. This choice of costume adds an element of familiarity and eeriness to the character. It also allows the film to explore themes of duality and the hidden darkness within seemingly ordinary men. The film also explores the concept of morality and the battle between good and evil. A young preacher, Reverend Dan Young, takes it upon himself to confront the vampire and save the town from its curse. This conflict between the protagonist's faith and the supernatural forces at play adds depth and complexity to the narrative. "Curse of the Undead" stands out as a unique and innovative film of its time. By combining two distinct genres, it breathes new life into both the vampire and western genres. The film offers an intriguing blend of horror, action, and suspense, captivating audiences with its unconventional storyline and setting. Despite being released over six decades ago, it still maintains its appeal and continues to be recognized as a cult classic among both horror and western enthusiasts..
Reviews for "The Haunting Score of Curse of the Undead: A Musical Analysis"
1. Jane Smith - 1 star
I found "Curse of the Undead" to be an incredibly dull and slow-paced movie. The plot was lacking any substance and the characters were poorly developed. The supposed "undead" in the title barely made an appearance, and when they finally did, it was underwhelming and rather cheesy. The dialogue was also quite clichéd, and the acting was subpar. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would not recommend wasting your time on this film.
2. David Johnson - 2 stars
"Curse of the Undead" had some potential with its unique Western-Horror blend, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver a captivating story. The film felt disjointed, with random scenes thrown together without proper cohesion. The acting was wooden and lacked any depth of emotion, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The special effects were laughable, especially the makeup for the undead, which appeared more comical than scary. While the idea behind the film was interesting, the execution fell flat, leaving me unsatisfied as a viewer.
3. Emily Brown - 2 stars
I was excited to watch "Curse of the Undead" as a fan of both Westerns and horror movies, but it turned out to be a disappointing mash-up. The pacing was sluggish, and the story failed to engage me. The attempts at suspense and scares felt forced and predictable, leaving no room for genuine surprises. The acting was mediocre, with cardboard characters that lacked depth or development. Moreover, the cinematography was unimpressive, with poorly lit scenes that made it difficult to see what was happening. Overall, "Curse of the Undead" fell short of my expectations and left me wanting more from its potential to be a unique genre blend.
4. Robert Thompson - 1 star
"Curse of the Undead" is a forgettable and uninspiring film. The plot felt disjointed, and the pacing was incredibly slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters were one-dimensional, lacking any depth or development. Additionally, the special effects were laughable, particularly during the scenes featuring the undead. It seemed like the filmmakers were trying to cash in on the popularity of both Westerns and horror films without putting in the effort to create a compelling story or believable characters. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time on this lackluster movie.