D V D C R Y P T

LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE

Directed by Jorge Grau
Written by Sandro Continenza & Marcello Coscia
Cast: Ray Lovelock, Christine Galbo & Arthur Kennedy

1974/93 mins/Color/5.1 DD
1.85:1 anamorphic/English/Spain/NTSC Region 1

Review from the Anchor Bay DVD

Originally known as NO PROFANAR EL SUENO DE LOS MUERTOS, LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE is an underrated zombie classic. This Italo-Spanish co-production reminded me a lot of George A. Romero's classic, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Jorge (CEREMINIA SANGRIENTA, aka THE FEMALE BUTCHER) Grau recreated here some scenes that are very similar to NOTLD, they are done in a great homage kinda way, nothing pretencious here. The appearance of the first zombie, the car attack and the (SPOILERS) killing of the hero at the end are directly inspired by Romero's classic. But Jorge Grau's film goes even deeper into the who's to blame where in NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD it is not sure.

After an unlikely meeting, George (Lovelock playing an antique dealer) and Adna (the beautiful Galbo) come across something way beyond their imagination. Adna is off to pay a visit to her sister, Katie (Jeannine Mestre), who's been sequestered by her husband, Martin (Jose Lifante), because of her heroin addiction. It's there that they will encounter the undead who are coming back to life and need the blood of the living to resurrect their corpse friends!

Director of photography, Francisco Sempere, did a great job. The film takes place mostly in the beautiful English countryside thus creating a unique atmosphere. The score from Giuliano Sorgini is both creepy and chiling. It was producer Edmondo Amati who wanted to have this film done, he wanted a color version of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD but Jorge Gau delivered him his own version of the apocalyptic zombie "phenomenon".

Anchor Bay delivers one superb DVD edition of this mostly unknown classic. The film is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and it is enhanced for 16x9 tvs. The image looks good even if there's some small scratches and spots appearing a couple of times. Sometimes the colors are a little bland but most of the time the film looks amazing. The new 5.1 Dolby Digital remix is nicely done. The moan, groan and breathing of the zombies are amazingly recreated in the mix. It almost feel as if they were in the same room as you! Extras wise, there's an intro with director Jorge Grau, there's also a very interesting 20 something minutes interview with him (subtitled in English since he speaks Spanish). We get an ok tv spot, Radio spots, poster and still gallery. The film is separated in 26 chapters and comes with an inlay card with the German poster on one side and the chapters stops on the other. The menu have some sounds and animation when you make your choice. Finally, the DVD comes in the usual Anchor Bay keep case but it is also available in a limited Tin edition. Anchor Bay also released it in the UK as THE LIVING DEAD AT THE MANCHESTER MORGUE which comes with a very nice booklet.

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