Let Sleeping Corpses Lie
is a Highly Underrated Zombie Film.
Let Sleeping Corpses Lie was
created during the infancy of the modern zombie genre. Experimentation
within the new realm of horror results in an excellent addition to the
genre.
Written by The Zombie Master Lee
Roberts May 23, 2007
Release: 1974 Directed by: Jorge Grau Written by: Juan Cobos & Sandro Continenza
Starring:
Ray Lovelock as George Cristina Galbo as Edna Arthur Kennedy as The Inspector
The 1970’s were interesting times for the zombie
movie. With George Romero kicking the horror world in the rear end and
creating a new sub-genre with the release of Night
of the Living Dead,
all of a sudden there were new tools in the horror tool box.
Experimentation was the key for those movie-makers and directors who
wanted to take the chance and opportunity. Jorge Grau was one such
director and his addition to the genre should not be taken lightly.
Let Sleeping Corpses Lie begins with George (Ray
Lovelock) leaving on his motorcycle for a weekend on the countryside.
When stopping for fuel, he meets Edna (Cristina Galbo) when she
inadvertently runs into his motorcycle. Taking his cue from
the “Chivalry is Dead and Gone” guide to
dealing with women you’ve never met, he not
only makes her take him the rest of the way to his destination but he
takes the keys and drives. She does, however make him take her to her
sisters place first.
On the way, it seems that Edna has forgotten exactly where her sister
lives so George stops at a farm to ask for directions. At this farm he
finds a group of scientists that are doing experiments with
“ultra-sonic radiation” to rid the fields of
insects and other crop destroying pests. The good news about the
radiation is that it keeps the farmers from having to use chemical
pesticides. The bad news is that it adversely affects the central
nervous system of the recently deceased and before you know it there
are zombies walking around all over the place.
Add
to this a police inspector (Arthur Kennedy) who is tracking down George
and Edna because he believes that they are the cause of the murders
that have been taking place and a very, very good ending that has
a “poetic justice” feel about it, and you have the
makings of a fun time for all.
Let Sleeping Corpses Lie is a great zombie movie
that deserves to be looked at by any and all zombie fans. Jorge Grau
did a wonderful job with the fledgling sub-genre. He had actors that
could actually act (not common for zombie films of the 70’s),
and directed Let Sleeping Corpses Lie
in a way that
gave it a gothic feel reminiscent of Hammer Horror. In fact, the
first cemetery scene in which George and Edna get trapped and are
trying to break free is very Hammer influenced - even though you know
what is coming you are still on edge waiting for it. If you know
Hammer films, you know what I mean.
Grau did not skimp on the gore in Let Sleeping Corpses Lie.
The gore definitely went to the next logical level after
Romero’s initial zombie offering through the utilization of
the skills of Giannetto De Rossi (later to work with Lucio Fulci on Zombi
2).
Highly
underrated, mainly because of the way it was originally released in the
U.S. (heavily cut), Let Sleeping Corpses Lie was
re-released on DVD through Anchor Bay in 2000 and Blue Underground in
2007. Let Sleeping Corpses Lie is a must have for
any serious “zombie apprentice”. Questions
or comments about Let Sleeping Corpses Lie? Contact
us!
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with women you’ve never met, he not
only makes her take him the rest of the way to his destination but he
takes the keys and drives. She does, however make him take her to her
sisters place first.
and a very, very good ending that has
a “poetic justice” feel about it, and you have the
makings of a fun time for all.
