Ep 163 - TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD (1972) | The Undead Templar (K)NIGHTS OF THE LIVING DEAD!

TOMBS OF THE BLIND DEAD (1972) d. Amando de Ossorio (Spain/Portugal)

RETURN OF THE BLIND DEAD (1973) d. Amando de Ossorio (Spain)

THE GHOST GALLEON (1974) d. Amando de Ossorio (Spain)

NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS (1975) d. Amando de Ossorio (Spain)

Writer/director Amando de Ossorio's Tombs of the Blind Dead (1972) represented a landmark achievement that introduced an entirely new monster into the genre, the haunting Knights Templar (based on the legitimate historical figures who fought in the Crusades and were later put to death for their efforts), complete with shabby robes, skeletal faces, grizzled facial hair, shiny swords, and a quenchless thirst for human blood. In fact, the early scenes of this zombie flick (yes, we'll call them zombies for now) are so overwhelming in their thick gloomy atmosphere that viewers cannot help but admire the sheer confidence and audacity executed in bringing them to the screen.

Ossorio provides a brief introductory setup of three romantically entwined companions on a train ride through the Spanish countryside, then embarks on a breathtaking twenty-minute, nearly dialogue-free episode that must be experienced to be believed. During this astounding sequence, Anton Garcia Abril's jangling, chanting, percussive musical score and lively environmental soundtrack combine with Ossorio's eerie visuals to create an intoxicating dream-like aura.

In addition to Ossorio's prolific career, which features titles such as Demon Witch Child, The Loreley's Grasp, The Sea Serpent, and Night of the Sorcerers, the success of The Blind Dead spawned three more loosely connected entries in the series over the next three years: Return of the Blind Dead, The Ghost Galleon, and Night of the Seagulls. Together, they form an unforgettable quartet of thrills and chills, staking out an undeniable place in Spanish horror history.

Join AC and his incredible panel of guests (Darren Callahan, Damien Glonek, Ryan Olson, Jimmy Seiersen, Alan Tromp) as we celebrate a half-century of THE BLIND DEAD!

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DARREN CALLAHAN is an award-winning writer, director, and composer who has written drama, fiction, and non-fiction for many major outlets, mostly focused on the horror genre. He has also released nearly 100 records, from pop to noise to ambient to film soundtracks.  His website is darrencallahan.com and his IMDB is http://www.imdb.me/darrencallahan.

DAMIEN GLONEK is best known as the co-creator of Livin