Episode 288 - The Blind Dead Series

[kingstownted]

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This week we invite you to travel back with us to yesteryear as we discuss the iconic Blind Dead series. With four films spanning 1971 to 1975, all guided by the singular vision of Amando de Ossorio, it's a celebration of great atmosphere, terrifying antagonists and audience frustration. At one moment moody and engaging and in the next offensive and plodding, these films offer a glimpse into the early genre offerings of Spain.

Beginning with Tombs of the Blind Dead and proceeding with Return of the Evil Dead, The Ghost Galleon, and Night of the Seagulls (all titles subject to change), the ups and downs provided for some great discussion. Disclaimer: the misogynistic attitudes of the Blind Dead films are not shared by your hosts. Wanton violence, explicit sexuality, slooowwwwwllly moving characters, and a total lack of continuity made for a fun conversation. The re-branding of the original in North America as "Revenge of Planet Ape" to sell as a Planet of the Apes sequel should tell you what you are in for.

So the question is open: classic genre fare deserving of a lasting legacy or disposable Eurotrash? You be the judge.

As always we welcome your comments: [e-mail]
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[patientzero]

Depsite their flaws, I really enjoy the first two, but the third and (especially) fourth leave a lot to be desired. A few years ago I watched all four in a row and do not recommend anyone follow suit. I'm looking forward to giving the episode a listen and hearing what you guys thought.

[JakeAwesomeSnake]

You guys made me happier than you could imagine, I try to finish any movie I start to watch no matter how bad or good ,but I started watching the first in the franchise ,but had to do something else and forgot the name, so I was really happy when I heard you guys talking about it and recognized it right away.

Anyway the fourth one intrigued me and I plan on watching that soon.

[doctoropossum]

I was thrilled that the Blind Dead, one of my favorite relatively little-known horror franchises, got a spotlight episode. My personal ranking for the series is:
1. Part 4 - I love the atmosphere of this - really underrated!
2. Part 2 - It has the largest scale of any of the films.
3. Part 1 - The sleazy rape scene really brings this one down, but it is still cool.
4. Part 3 - It is slow and has some really jerkass characters.


When I watch The Cabin in the Woods, I like to imagine that the briefly-seen test site in Spain involved a visit from the Blind Dead.

[sidach]

One of my favourite episodes. I love the shows where I end up watching back to back a load of films I otherwise wouldn't have, to prepare for the podcast. Thought it worked really well with the four of you as well. I enjoyed the series, with the obvious caveats. The best bits for me were the quirky nature of some of the characters and plot, similar to many European horror films of the period. I did think some of the set piece scenes were excellent namely the beating heart in the climax of the first film, probably the high point of the series, and the sinister attempt to sacrifice the girl to the Templar in the second one, well done and very uncomfortable. Overall great themed show guys.

[Stuart]

Really glad you guys got around to this series. I’ve been a Blind Dead fan for many years. Nice to hear the gang together again. Couple of things:

Someone mentioned that Franco had gone by the time the movies were made, suggesting this as an explanation for their relative explicitness. In fact, the films were made and released between 1971 and 1975; Franco remained head of state in Spain until his death in 1975. So the sex and violence in the Blind Dead films probably don’t reflect newfound liberalism after decades of oppression at all. On the other hand, they could be interpreted as representing the "punishment" of wayward women, miscreants and libertarian youth by a conservative society, the older generation or a higher power?

Never seen Cruz del Diablo but I have seen Paul Naschy’s Werewolf Shadow from 1971. An odd film. I’m trying to like Naschy but he does make it difficult. Anyway, in among the boobs and slow-mo vampires there’s a random hooded zombie monk, also doing the slow-mo thing, similar to the Templars.

[jmodlinc]

Magnate is a word, Doug . . . it is a word.

dictionary.reference.com/browse/magnate?s=t