Spanish horror is not necessarily my genre, but when a review copy of the Danza Macabre Vol. 3 collection showed up, it seemed like a good opportunity for education. These four films each offer explorations of different horror subgenres.
And they look beautiful in HD with those ‘70s Ruropean cinema skin tones and locations.
Necrophagus is a simple murder mystery with a twist.
Cake of Blood is an anthology of supernatural historical shorts, including one derived from Frankenstein. Each of these are pretty engaging and then they get out and move on.
Cross of the Devil is a slow burn occult mystery. Most of the movie, people are trying to deter Alfred Dawson (Ramiro Oliveros) from finding out who killed his sister. They mention the Knights Templar throughout so it ultimately gets there.
Night of the Walking Dead is a vampire movie with lots of nudity.
Commentaries with authors explain the significance of these films to newbies like me. The producers at Severin have found many of the actors and filmmakers to discuss their experiences in interviews too.
Cross was intended for Paul Naschy but it turned into a whole thing the screenwriter and scholars go into. Though not each film has backstory that juicy, the corroboration by multiple sources gives the set a sense of thoroughness that you’re getting the full story. some 50 years later.