VENGEANCE OF THE ZOMBIES (1973, LA REBELIÓN DE LAS MUERTAS) – Episode 218 – Decades Of Horror 1970s

“In the name of Baron Samedi, in the name of the five ministers of the kingdom of Ife, and through the intercession of the Black Lords of the mountain, I order you, Gloria Irving, I order you to arise and obey me. Obey me!” The kingdom of Ife? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they check out their fourth Paul Naschy film – this one sans his frequent character, Waldemar Daninsky – Vengeance of the Zombies (1973, La rebelión de las muertas).

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 218 – Vengeance of the Zombies (1973)

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Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

An Indian mystic uses magical chants to raise women from the dead, then sends them out to perform revenge killings for him.

 

• Directed by: León Klimovsky
• Writing Credits: Paul Naschy (story & screenplay) (credited as Jacinto Molina)
• Selected Cast:
  • Paul Naschy as Krisna / Kantaka / Satán
  • Romy as Elvire Irving (credited as Rommy)
  • Mirta Miller as Kala
  • María Kosty as Elsie (credited as Maria Kosti)
  • Aurora de Alba as Olivia Mortimer
  • Luis Ciges as MacMurdo (credited as Louis Ciges)
  • Pierre Besari as Ti Zachary
  • Antonio Pica as Supt. Hawkins
  • Víctor Barrera as Dr. Lawrence Radcliffe (as Vic Winner)
  • Elsa Zabala as Susan
  • Montserrat Julió as Flora (as Monserrat Julió)
  • Ramón Lillo as Basehart (as Ramon Lillo)
  • Norma Kastel as Gloria Irving (as Norma Kastell)
  • Ingrid Rabel as Muerta
  • Asunción Molero as Muerta (as Asuncion Molero)
  • Fernando Sánchez Polack as Augusto (credited as Fernando Sanchez-Polak & Fernando S. Polack)
  • Alfonso de la Vega as Absalon

Are you ready for another Paul Naschy extravaganza? The Grue-Crew tackles the often overlooked Spanish horror film, Vengeance of the Zombies (1973), featuring Naschy in three roles: the East Indian mystic, Krisna; the scarred, evil twin, Kantanka; and, Satán! The film is filled to the brim with voodoo zombies rising from the grave to kill at the orders of a mysterious hooded figure. But, why, why, do these zombies smile so much?! While not entirely successful, the film deserves to be seen, preferably without the theatrical red warning flashes. Roger Ebert called it the “dog of the week” on Sneak Previews upon its 1980 release, but the Grue Crew thinks that label is undeserved. What do you, dear Grue Believers, think? Let us know in the comments below.

At the time of this writing, Vengeance of the Zombies (1973) is available to stream from the Classic Horror Movie Channel, Wicked Horror TV, and Tubi. The film is available from Scream Factory as a standard format Blu-ray as part of The Paul Naschy Collection along with Horror Rises from the Tomb (1973), Blue Eyes of the Broken Doll (1974), Human Beasts (1980), and Night of the Werewolf (1981).

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Jeff, will be Who Can Kill a Child? (1976, ¿Quién puede matar a un niño?), directed by Narciso Ibáñez Serrador. The Grue Crew have been on the hunt for this scarce, cult classic for years. What will they think?

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [e-mail].