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Seven Overlooked Gems From the Seventies
1970-1979 provided us with what was arguably the best decade for horror movies. The list of clasc genre films is extenve. Most horror fans have seen the majority of the clascs: 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', 'Dawn of the Dead', 'Black Christmas', 'The Omen', 'Suspiria', 'The Hills Have Eyes', 'Phantasm', etc. Here are seven diamonds in the rough that do not have as wide an audience and don't receive the recognition that they so richly deserve...
Let's Scare Jesca to Death (1971) - Jesca, a recently released patient, her husband, and their friend move to an isolated house in a small Connecticut town. After they agree to let a beautiful young woman live with them, Jesca begins seeing things. Not knowing if they are real or a figment of her imagination, Jesca keeps quiet out of fear that she will have to return to the institution. The plot is pretty mple but it is well-executed, ung the secluded locales and eerie townspeople to full effect. 'Let's Scare Jesca to Death' is a prime example of psychological horror.
Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971) - The first of Amando de Ossorio's 'Blind Dead' series, 'Tombs' tells the story of the Knights Templar, a group of black magic practitioners who sacrificed people for their rituals centuries earlier. As punishment for their crimes, the Knights had their eyes burned out before being killed by angry villagers. Now they have returned as blind zombies who locate their victims by sound. de Ossorio's original story takes a back seat only to the beautifully filmed scenes of the undead Templars riding on horseback, the breathtaking zombie costumes and the bloodcurdling death scenes. 'Tombs', along with the rest of the series, comes highly recommended.
What Have You Done to Solange? (1972) - Quite posbly the best giallo ever made, 'What Have You Done to Solange?' is a cringe-inducing movie that succeeds without the gratuitous use of blood that other giallo films are known for. Girls at a private school meet their demise when a psychotic killer dispatches them by knifing their private area. A thrilling film with a ton of plot twists,'Solange' is also perfectly shot due to the expertise of cinematographer Joe D'Amato (director of 'Buio Omega' and 'Anthropophagus'). Firmly holds its place amongst the best that Dario Argento, Mario Bava and Sergio Martino have to offer.
Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (AKA The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue - 1974) - Capitalizing on the popularity of George A. Romero's 'Night of the Living Dead', Jorge Grau came up with this zombie movie about people who return from the dead due to the use of chemical pesticides. Oozing with atmosphere and an uncomfortable sense of dread, 'Let Sleeping Corpses Lie' also features a cop vs. hippie subplot. There are quite a few legitimate scares including a scene in an underground crypt that is sure to make your hairs stand on end. 'Corpses' has the feel of a more bloody veron of a Hammer film and is unequivocally one of the greatest zombie movies of all time.
Who Can Kill A Child? (1976) - The first thirty minutes are admittedly tedious, but if you stick around you will be in for a real treat. A couple goes on vacation to an island only to find it abandoned, except for a bunch of children and a frightened man who tells them that the murderous youngsters have killed all of the adults. A taboo shattering film due to its disturbing subject matter (and even more disturbing climax), 'Who Can Kill A Child?' builds up an almost unbearable air of uneaness.
Squirm (1976) - Hordes of bloodthirsty worms menace a small town after a lightning storm drives them out from beneath the Earth and onto the surface. There are very few bug/creature flicks that are even remotely effective but 'Squirm' is definitely one of them due to Jeff Lieberman's apt direction. There are traces of black humor throughout the movie but overall it takes itself seriously, a feeling reciprocated by the viewer. 'Squirm' is guaranteed to get under your skin.
Grapes of Death (1978) - milar to 'Let Sleeping Corpses Lie', the dead return to life in a small French village, this time the result of pesticide tainted wine. Jean Rollin's masterpiece features scary, slow-moving zombies and a chilling atmosphere that never gives you the feeling that everything will be okay. Rollin's unique, surrealistic way of filming only helps to enhance this already bleak potboiler. 'Grapes of Death' belongs in the upper echelon of zombie movies alongde the greats.
Let's Scare Jesca to Death (1971) - Jesca, a recently released patient, her husband, and their friend move to an isolated house in a small Connecticut town. After they agree to let a beautiful young woman live with them, Jesca begins seeing things. Not knowing if they are real or a figment of her imagination, Jesca keeps quiet out of fear that she will have to return to the institution. The plot is pretty mple but it is well-executed, ung the secluded locales and eerie townspeople to full effect. 'Let's Scare Jesca to Death' is a prime example of psychological horror.
Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971) - The first of Amando de Ossorio's 'Blind Dead' series, 'Tombs' tells the story of the Knights Templar, a group of black magic practitioners who sacrificed people for their rituals centuries earlier. As punishment for their crimes, the Knights had their eyes burned out before being killed by angry villagers. Now they have returned as blind zombies who locate their victims by sound. de Ossorio's original story takes a back seat only to the beautifully filmed scenes of the undead Templars riding on horseback, the breathtaking zombie costumes and the bloodcurdling death scenes. 'Tombs', along with the rest of the series, comes highly recommended.
What Have You Done to Solange? (1972) - Quite posbly the best giallo ever made, 'What Have You Done to Solange?' is a cringe-inducing movie that succeeds without the gratuitous use of blood that other giallo films are known for. Girls at a private school meet their demise when a psychotic killer dispatches them by knifing their private area. A thrilling film with a ton of plot twists,'Solange' is also perfectly shot due to the expertise of cinematographer Joe D'Amato (director of 'Buio Omega' and 'Anthropophagus'). Firmly holds its place amongst the best that Dario Argento, Mario Bava and Sergio Martino have to offer.
Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (AKA The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue - 1974) - Capitalizing on the popularity of George A. Romero's 'Night of the Living Dead', Jorge Grau came up with this zombie movie about people who return from the dead due to the use of chemical pesticides. Oozing with atmosphere and an uncomfortable sense of dread, 'Let Sleeping Corpses Lie' also features a cop vs. hippie subplot. There are quite a few legitimate scares including a scene in an underground crypt that is sure to make your hairs stand on end. 'Corpses' has the feel of a more bloody veron of a Hammer film and is unequivocally one of the greatest zombie movies of all time.
Who Can Kill A Child? (1976) - The first thirty minutes are admittedly tedious, but if you stick around you will be in for a real treat. A couple goes on vacation to an island only to find it abandoned, except for a bunch of children and a frightened man who tells them that the murderous youngsters have killed all of the adults. A taboo shattering film due to its disturbing subject matter (and even more disturbing climax), 'Who Can Kill A Child?' builds up an almost unbearable air of uneaness.
Squirm (1976) - Hordes of bloodthirsty worms menace a small town after a lightning storm drives them out from beneath the Earth and onto the surface. There are very few bug/creature flicks that are even remotely effective but 'Squirm' is definitely one of them due to Jeff Lieberman's apt direction. There are traces of black humor throughout the movie but overall it takes itself seriously, a feeling reciprocated by the viewer. 'Squirm' is guaranteed to get under your skin.
Grapes of Death (1978) - milar to 'Let Sleeping Corpses Lie', the dead return to life in a small French village, this time the result of pesticide tainted wine. Jean Rollin's masterpiece features scary, slow-moving zombies and a chilling atmosphere that never gives you the feeling that everything will be okay. Rollin's unique, surrealistic way of filming only helps to enhance this already bleak potboiler. 'Grapes of Death' belongs in the upper echelon of zombie movies alongde the greats.
MichaelMyersBrother
Friday 8/19/2011 at 08:16 AM | 81099
Lets Scare Jesca To Death, FOR THE WIN!
Totally creepy. I'm truly surprised at the lack of acknowledgment that title gets. It should be recognized as a timeless clasc.
Totally creepy. I'm truly surprised at the lack of acknowledgment that title gets. It should be recognized as a timeless clasc.
AgnesItsMeBilly
Friday 8/19/2011 at 08:24 AM | 81100
Lets Scare Jesca To Death, FOR THE WIN!
Totally creepy. I'm truly surprised at the lack of acknowledgment that title gets.
Agreed. It's even got a great, catchy title as well. It baffles me why it isn't more widely recognized.
Totally creepy. I'm truly surprised at the lack of acknowledgment that title gets.
Agreed. It's even got a great, catchy title as well. It baffles me why it isn't more widely recognized.
MichaelMyersBrother
Friday 8/19/2011 at 09:02 AM | 81102
some awesome picks
LSJTD, LSCL and Squirm are AWESOME, FUN flicks!
LSJTD, LSCL and Squirm are AWESOME, FUN flicks!
Matt_Molgaard
Friday 8/19/2011 at 05:11 PM | 81119
some awesome picks
LSJTD, LSCL and Squirm are AWESOME, FUN flicks
I appreciate the kind words, man. Thanks for reading! If you like LSCL, you'd love 'Grapes of Death'. They're very milar.
LSJTD, LSCL and Squirm are AWESOME, FUN flicks
I appreciate the kind words, man. Thanks for reading! If you like LSCL, you'd love 'Grapes of Death'. They're very milar.
MichaelMyersBrother
Saturday 8/20/2011 at 05:12 PM | 81188
How about Alice Sweet Alice?
ObscureCinema101
Monday 8/22/2011 at 09:25 PM | 81329
