Deranged voodoo zombie film with a serial killer on the loose in London, stabbing bourgeoisie types, performing rituals using a wax effigy, pouring blood over it, setting it on fire, causing those dead to become unwitting undead slaves. Those attacked knew each other, their relationship dating back to an infamous incident in India, and the one mutilating them dresses like Jack the Ripper, wearing strange Halloween masks, carrying a medical bag containing his materials used for resurrecting those he kills. The film also follows red-head Elvire(Romy), who is infatuated with a charismatic Hindu spiritualist, Krisna(Paul Naschy), soon joining him at his retreat in a notorious castle in a village called Llangwell, the estate known for housing a group of Satanists who communed there. Kala(Mirta Miller), maid Elsie(María Kosty)and a local train depot guard all attempt to ward Elvire away from the castle, with no such luck because she's head-over-heels for Krisna. Soon the psycho shows up in Llangwell, and his identity is closely associated with Krisna. Meanwhile, Elvire's London friend, Lawrence(Víctor Alcázar), a journalist and occult scholar is called in by Scotland Yard regarding his expertise in voodoo among other strange rituals, their hoping he can be of assistance in catching the fiend.
Delirious script penned by Paul Naschy and directed by he long-time collaborator León Klimovsky, this film is certain to please gorehounds and it's evident of the influence in regards to Hammer studios for it features bright, textured film blood and plenty of sharp metallic objects penetrating flesh, including one memorable scene where a head nearly comes off, hanging barely as the crimson bubbles forth. Regarding the use of voodoo, you can tell Naschy did some homework and his script heavily elaborates in details the methods involved in utilizing such powers to harm. When the zombie girls attack, Klimovsky's camera shoots them in slow motion, with them often approaching screen. There was a direct emphasis on trying to spook us with these zombies, but the make-up rarely works and may instead cause unintentional laughter.
The zombie girls, slaves ordered around by Kantaka, the evil twin brother of Krisna, are more akin to the ghouls you see in Carnival of Souls, except their heavy discolored make-up doesn't quite work(..the key to the success of Carnival of Souls is that the ghouls, under heavy make-up, is shot in glorious B&W photography). Kantaka(..and his underling, Ti Zachary, portrayed by a creepy looking Pierre Besari)was badly burned in a fire purposely set, which ties into the main story as to why the voodoo is being used on certain selected victims, and Naschy's make-up provides him with a hideous pasty face(..reminiscent of an Italian zombie in an 80's Fulci flick).
Seeing Naschy dressed in Indian attire(tunic and head scarf), takes some getting use to, but at least he tries something new, in a change-of-pace role. The filmmakers go to great lengths to put as much of London in the film as possible, footage probably shot illegally. Not sure why it's titled so since there's no vengeance of the zombies, they are tools for another's revenge. A nice try, but ultimately unsatisfying voodoo chiller.
Delirious script penned by Paul Naschy and directed by he long-time collaborator León Klimovsky, this film is certain to please gorehounds and it's evident of the influence in regards to Hammer studios for it features bright, textured film blood and plenty of sharp metallic objects penetrating flesh, including one memorable scene where a head nearly comes off, hanging barely as the crimson bubbles forth. Regarding the use of voodoo, you can tell Naschy did some homework and his script heavily elaborates in details the methods involved in utilizing such powers to harm. When the zombie girls attack, Klimovsky's camera shoots them in slow motion, with them often approaching screen. There was a direct emphasis on trying to spook us with these zombies, but the make-up rarely works and may instead cause unintentional laughter.
The zombie girls, slaves ordered around by Kantaka, the evil twin brother of Krisna, are more akin to the ghouls you see in Carnival of Souls, except their heavy discolored make-up doesn't quite work(..the key to the success of Carnival of Souls is that the ghouls, under heavy make-up, is shot in glorious B&W photography). Kantaka(..and his underling, Ti Zachary, portrayed by a creepy looking Pierre Besari)was badly burned in a fire purposely set, which ties into the main story as to why the voodoo is being used on certain selected victims, and Naschy's make-up provides him with a hideous pasty face(..reminiscent of an Italian zombie in an 80's Fulci flick).
Seeing Naschy dressed in Indian attire(tunic and head scarf), takes some getting use to, but at least he tries something new, in a change-of-pace role. The filmmakers go to great lengths to put as much of London in the film as possible, footage probably shot illegally. Not sure why it's titled so since there's no vengeance of the zombies, they are tools for another's revenge. A nice try, but ultimately unsatisfying voodoo chiller.