LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE (aka THE LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE) (1974)

 

Directed By: Jorge Grau Written By: Sandro Continenza and Marcello Coscia Cinematography: Francisco Sempere 

Editor: Domingo Garcia And Vincenzo Tomassi 

Cast: Christine Gallo, Ray Lovelock, Arthur Kennedy, Aldo Massasso, Jeannine Mestre, Genghar Gatti, Jose Ruiz Lifante, Roberto Posse, Giorgio Trestini, Fernando Hilbeck 

In the peaceful, lush, green countryside gruesome murders are committed by the dead who have been brought to life by ultra-sonic radiation. Two travelers from the city who meet accidentally are harassed and implicated by the cops for the murders.

This was a bit of a discovery. Definitely a minor change for a zombie film where we actually care about most of the characters/victims and truly throughout the reason for this plague and man-made. Which makes the film prophetic to a degree. Especially when I’m the beginning we see everyone in masks or covering their faces and this is a film made in 1974

It’s a zombie story that keeps getting frustrating throughout as every time the characters have a chance to warn and try to stop the plague. The authorities do something to obstruct them and try to mail them to serial murderers. Instead of listening and looking out for the greater good.

This film is a little more small scale than the typical zombie plague film. However, it does make the whole endeavor feel more like a thrilling adventure against time throughout. As well as throwing in some romantic innuendo between strangers.

The beginning shows the characters getting away from a society that is shown in all its Luster and depravity as going to the countryside which is thought to be a change of pace and more peaceful.  

Once there is death to the main characters it feels more tragic. As the film does offer heartbreak a few times it does offer what looks to be a happy resolution. 

The film Is macabre at first the violence seems more of what you would expect though as the film goes along it becomes much more macabre and gory. Offering both speeds of zombies fast and slow with practical effects and very impressive and one-of-a-kind contacts giving the zombies red eyes that 28 DAYS LATER seemed to borrow from. 

Though it certainly doesn’t have a happy ending there is a sense of justice or at least comeuppance. It also is one of the rare British zombie films of the 1970s. 

It’s a film where at first you know what is supposed to happen but you never quite know when or how for the first act of the film. Where we get to know the characters and their situations. 

Totally an underrated undiscovered gem. That deserves to be well known and is best to go blind. So not so many expectations. 

Grade: B