DANZA MACABRA, VOLUME THREE: Severin Goes To Spain

DANZA MACABRA, VOLUME THREE:

THE SPANISH GOTHIC COLLECTION (Blu-ray)

1971-1975 / 364 min (4 movies)

FROM SEVERIN FILMS

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

For the third volume of their Danza Macabra Blu-ray series, Severin Films sails across the Mediterranean to resurrect four Spanish gothic horror films from the early seventies. Like most boxed set collections, they vary in quality, but certainly serve up a selection of titles slightly left of the mainstream. 

1971’s Necrophagous (aka The Butcher of Binbrook) is arguably the goofiest, though atmospheric and teasingly ambiguous. However, the story ultimately ends up being a science project gone wrong, with Michael Sharrington (Bill Curran) messing around with human cells, turning people into monsters. He’s also dedicated enough to experiment on himself, with horrifying/amusing results. This is the only film presented in English.

Released the same year, Cake of Blood is a (mostly) historically-based anthology film that’s a bit more high-minded than your usual Amicus flick from the same era. As these types of films go, this one is surprisingly consistent. “Tarot” is as interesting riff on The Seventh Seal, while “Victor Frankenstein” boils Shelly’s story down to its bare essentials (it’s also also the weakest of the bunch). “Terror Among the Christians” features vampires terrorizing people during the Roman era. Finally, “The Dance” (the only story set in the present) has a hypnotic, haunting quality that’s enhanced by creative production design. Alas, no actual cake.

"Wake up! It's time for school!"

1974’s Cross of the Devil is probably the weakest movie in this collection. While not terrible, the story feels the most derivative. A writer heads to Spain to visit his sister after receiving an urgent letter, only to find she’s since been murdered. Naturally, he feels compelled to solve the mystery. This one draws obvious inspiration from the darker - and more compelling  - Blind Dead series. 

Despite the stupidly generic title, 1975’s The Night of the Walking Dead is easily the set’s best film. Also known as Strange Love of the Vampires (which is far more accurate), it’s a stylish, almost romantic tale of nasty villagers vs. sympathetic bloodsuckers. Caught in the middle is terminally ill Catherine (Emma Cohn), torn between an unlikable suitor and compassionate Count Rudolph (Carlos Ballesteros). This one is also the most violent of the four films, especially during the rousing final act.

Obviously, these titles are fairly obscure on this side of the pond. None of them are masterpieces, but fans of early 70s’ European gothic horror will find a lot to love here. Each film has been nicely restored and include some contextually interesting bonus material. Stored in a sturdy, well-designed box, they're also packaged in individual cases with their own unique cover art.

EXTRA KIBBLES

NECROPHAGOUS

SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER SEEN - An appreciation by Angel Sala,. The head of programming of the Sitges Film Festival.

THE FIRST HORROR FILM FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD - Maria Pilar Rafales discusses the Sitges Film Festival.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By podcaster Andy Marshall-Roberts.

TRAILERS

CAKE OF BLOOD

INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with actress Marisa Paredes, co-director Jaime Chavarri and actor Jose Lifante.

AN ARTHOUSE UFO - Another appreciation by Angel Sala.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By podcaster Rod Barnett and author Dr. Adrian Smith.

CROSS OF THE DEVIL

INTERVIEW - With screenwriter Juan Jose Porto.

FANTASY AND IMAGINATION: THE LEGACY OF GUSTAVO ADOLFO BECQUER - Video essay about the director by author Xavier Aldana Reyes.

THE REAL TEMPLAR KNIGHTS MOVIE - Yet another appreciation by Angel Sala.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By authors Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw.

THE NIGHT OF THE WALKING DEAD

INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with actor Joes Lifante and writer Juan Jose Porto.

A DEADLY INVITATION TO ANOTHER DIMENSION - Angel Sala appreciates this one, too! Yay!

SPAIN’S CINEMATIC VAMPIRES - Video essay by author Xavier Aldana Reyes.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By author Kat Ellinger.

ALTERNATE SPANISH CREDIT SEQUENCE