Spanish horror film
GRAVEYARD OF HORROR (1971) a.k.a. THE
BUTCHER OF BINBROOK seems to be constructed to put one of my pet cinematic
theories to the test. For years I have claimed that I could watch amazing
character actor
Victor Israel do anything for the length of a movie and be
entertained. I had no idea that I would have to be so confused by the film that
gives me the chance to see this happen. From the moment Mr.
Israel appears
onscreen (roughly the 15 minute mark) he is a major player in the story as a
part of the incredibly convoluted, nonsensical plot to...... I'm still not
positive what the point was. I'm sorry. I promise that I watched the entire
thing but at a few points it becomes nearly impossible to follow the sloppy
script. Indeed, there were several instances where, I could swear, the director
gave up and just filmed some extras carrying coffins across a snowy field.
But, the great Victor Israel does a lot in this crazed
combination of mad science, missing person mystery, family angst and severely
cold weather. He wears a creepy mask and hooded robe. He stalks and attacks
graveyard lurkers. He dunks human heads into a bucket to remove the flesh.
He's
a busy bastard here! But the film is such a bizarre mess I can't care! Not
event the sight of the very lovely frequent Naschy co-star
Beatriz Elorrieta running
around in a miniskirt (in the freakin' snow!) can keep me from wishing for a
better script. Or more coherent editing. Or less sloppy camera operation. Or
better acting. (Don't get me started on the stilted, crappy acting from most of
the cast.) Ugh!
And yet - I'm kind of glad I watched this thing.
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