I couldn't think of a place more far-removed from the dreary streets, Gothic cathedrals, stone gargoyles and misty back-alleys that have come to be associated the Gothic horror sub-genre, than Mexico. Yet here we have a pure Gothic story told in the most traditional of ways. Fernando Mendez throws everything and the kitchen sink in the mix, from disfigured monsters and a madhouse to spectral ghosts and atheistic scientists and I'm happy to report that it works far better than one would expect from a Mexican b-movie without it becoming picturesque or unintentionally comedic. The only fault that I find with Misterios de Ultratumba (other than failing to deliver promised black pits) is that it doesn't try to push the envelope. It's content to be a very traditional Gothic horror picture with a simplistic story. If it weren't for some impressive stylistic flourishes (like the gallows scene for instance) and the creepy atmosphere, one could be forgiven for totally dismissing it as a "seen-better" case. As it is, fans of 30's Universal horror and Hammer from around the same time will probably like it.

Thank you again CasaNegra. An extremely underrated if not forgotten key piece of Mexican classic Horror finally gets a decent release on DVD. To be honest, I have never found this one even on VHS and I'm from Mèxico damn it. The movie was shown at 11:00 P.M. on local t.v. but it's been a while since it aired for the last time. Oh, and forget about the English title! I has minimal or nothing to do with the plot. In fact, the word "ultratumba" was used in many Mexican Horror movies from that time. "Graveyard Mysteryes" would be a more adequate title.Anyways, this movie perfectly displays how Mexican Horror cinema was highly influenced by Gothic atmospheres and stories. In the likes of "La Maldiciòn de la Llorona", this movie centers it's creepiness on settings and atmosphere. The settings are ahead of it's time because it was very difficult back in the 50's to film on mental institutions; the graveyard setting is also terrifying and macabre. By the way, that setting reminds me of my favorite scene of the movie; the "living dead" doctor returning to play his violin. That's a scene that hasn't vanished from my mind since a child.The plot is very interesting and perfectly displays Mexican culture's opinion for death and how sometimes, we (Mexicans) can't accept or deal with it. Yes, there are some unitentionally funny moments mainly because in Mexican culture there's a high amount of "happiness" and "humor" even on the most difficult and sad moments.The score is another important part of the movie. The orchestra truly created a chilling score that plays an important role in the most important moments. Gastòn Santos and Beatriz Aguirre shine with their performances.Please, track down this movie and you will notice that Mexican Gothic can match anytime European Gothic. If you enjoyed this movie, I urge you to watch "La Maldiciòn de la Llorona". It's truly sad that in my country these kind of movies aren't even known!

The US release of this film was called "The Black Pit of Dr M." and was brought to the US (along with several other great Mexican horror classics) from Mexico by B movie maven, K Gordon Murray. As far as I am concerned this film is one of the absolute treasures of Mexican Cinema. How often would you hear that about a Horror film? Fernando Mendez's great horror masterpiece is so rich in atmosphere and boasts such beautiful, Gothic "mise en scene" that it looks like a true Gothic fairy tale painting has been struck right on the screen. I've seen scores of classic horror films and I have yet to see one that matches the almost over-the-top lush style and atmosphere that Mendez has created here. The setting is an old Hacienda, shrouded in mist, filled with exotic plants and photographed with such care it is almost mesmerizing to see. This Hacienda is an insane asylum headed up by Dr. M. When a spirit conjurer is called in to resurrect the life of a man who was wrongly executed, vengeance, murder and mayhem from beyond the grave ensues. A wonderful, supernatural tale, told in a lyrical yet almost surreal fashion combined with unrelenting, spooky visuals makes this greatly under-appreciated film an absolute must see.

Movies and TV from the Buffy show all the way back to 1960 have been ripping off the dig-myself-out-of-the-grave scene, evidently begun with this film (correct me if I'm wrong). The idea could be as old as Poe but it's this film which, in my history, succeeds with the definitive version. As mentioned earlier, two doctors in charge of an asylum agree to contact the one living, should the other die first. The theme played on the violin by Dr. M is recapitulated at different plot points in a way that earlier audiences would recall from opera.