The Blind Dead: Spain's Most Iconic Horror Export

The Curse of the Blind Dead is a Spanish horror film series that was popular during the 1970s. The series consists of four films: Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971), Return of the Evil Dead (1973), The Ghost Galleon (1974), and Night of the Seagulls (1975). The films were directed by Amando de Ossorio and are known for their unique blend of horror, fantasy, and suspense. The Curse of the Blind Dead revolves around the story of the Templar Knights, a group of medieval knights who were executed for practicing black magic and devil worship. In each film, the blind and decaying knights rise from their graves to terrorize and kill the living. These skeletal creatures are known for their distinctive appearance, featuring decaying flesh, empty eye sockets, and tattered cloaks.

**[For protection against violent attack] And you, lord of lords [Jesus], you are the one from whom all healing comes, with your good father and your holy spirit. . . . If a battle arises against us and we are stricken by a sword, or a spear, or a knife, or any weapon under heaven, recite against it my name, and the name of my good father, and the holy spirit, and the name of the twelve apostles, and the name of the twenty-four elders, and the name of the seven archangels, those who are within the veil, who stand by me, my good father, and the holy spirit, so that neither bloodshed nor aching bones might happen at any place over which these names will be recited.

If a battle arises against us and we are stricken by a sword, or a spear, or a knife, or any weapon under heaven, recite against it my name, and the name of my good father, and the holy spirit, and the name of the twelve apostles, and the name of the twenty-four elders, and the name of the seven archangels, those who are within the veil, who stand by me, my good father, and the holy spirit, so that neither bloodshed nor aching bones might happen at any place over which these names will be recited. This thought-provoking collection of magical texts from ancient Egypt shows the exotic rituals, esoteric healing practices, and incantatory and supernatural dimensions that flowered in early Christianity.

These skeletal creatures are known for their distinctive appearance, featuring decaying flesh, empty eye sockets, and tattered cloaks. They are called the "Blind Dead" because they have lost their sight but possess a heightened sense of hearing. The films depict the haunting and atmospheric landscapes of rural Spain, with abandoned castles, desolate villages, and misty graveyards serving as the backdrop for the terrifying events.

Ancient Christian Magic: Coptic Texts of Ritual Power

This thought-provoking collection of magical texts from ancient Egypt shows the exotic rituals, esoteric healing practices, and incantatory and supernatural dimensions that flowered in early Christianity. These remarkable Christian magical texts include curses, spells of protection from "headless powers" and evil spirits, spells invoking thunderous powers, descriptions of fire baptism, and even recipes from a magical "cookbook." Virtually all the texts are by Coptic Christians, and they date from about the 1st-12th centuries of the common era, with the majority from late antiquity. By placing these rarely seen texts in historical context and discussing their significance, the authors explore the place of healing, prayer, miracles, and magic in the early Christian experience, and expand our understanding of Christianity and Gnosticism as a vital folk religion.

Genres ReligionChristianityOccultHistoryMagicNonfictionMagick

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1994

About the author

Marvin W. Meyer

Marvin Meyer is a scholar of religion and a tenured professor at Chapman University, in Orange, California.

He is the Griset Professor of Bible and Christian Studies at Chapman University and Director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute. He is also Director of the Coptic Magical Texts Project of the Institute for Antiquity and Christianity. Dr. Meyer is the author of numerous books and articles on Greco-Roman and Christian religions in antiquity and late antiquity, and on Albert Schweitzer's ethic of reverence for life. He has been interviewed on television programs that have aired on ABC, BBC, CNN, PBS, A&E, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and the National Geographic Channel.

Professor Meyer is best known for his translations of the texts of documents associated with the ancient mystery religions, early Christian magic, and Gnostic texts, of which the most notable have been the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Judas. He is regarded as an authority on Gnosticism and has published many books on the subject.

Meyer died of melanoma on August 16, 2012.

"This book is a treasure-trove of material illustrating folk beliefs and practices of a people in Egypt spanning more than a thousand years."—Birger A. Pearson, University of California, Berkeley

The Curse of the Blind Dead is known for its slow-paced and atmospheric storytelling, creating tension and fear through silence and anticipation. Despite their low-budget production, the films gained a cult following and have since become highly regarded in the horror genre. The Curse of the Blind Dead is often credited with pioneering the zombie genre, as the blind knights share many similarities with the popular modern concept of zombies. The films also explore themes of revenge, redemption, and the afterlife, adding depth to the otherwise straightforward horror narrative. Although the Curse of the Blind Dead series is not as well-known as other horror franchises, it remains a significant part of Spanish horror cinema. The atmospheric visuals, unique creatures, and haunting storylines continue to captivate audiences even decades after their initial release. The Curse of the Blind Dead represents a distinct era in horror filmmaking and remains a cult classic for fans of the genre..

Reviews for "Blinded by Fear: The Psychological Impact of the Blind Dead"

1. Alex - 2/10

I found "Curse of the Blind Dead" to be extremely disappointing. The film lacked any sort of depth or character development, and the plot was incredibly weak. The scares were predictable and cliché, with jump scares being the only method used to frighten the audience. The pacing was slow and the editing was sloppy, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this movie for anyone looking for a quality horror film.

2. Sarah - 3/10

"Curse of the Blind Dead" was a major letdown. The concept of the film had a lot of potential, but it fell flat in execution. The acting was subpar and unconvincing, making it difficult to care about the characters and their fates. The special effects were laughable and poorly done, taking away from any sense of dread or horror. Additionally, the dialogue and script felt amateurish and lacked any true depth. Overall, I felt this movie was a waste of time and definitely not worth the hype.

3. Mike - 4/10

I had high hopes for "Curse of the Blind Dead" but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The story was confusing and disjointed, leaving me puzzled about the motivations of the characters. The cinematography and visuals were lackluster, making it difficult to immerse myself in the film's world. The scares were few and far between, and when they did occur, they were underwhelming. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied by this movie.

Dark Shadows: The Curse of the Blind Dead