As it turns out, THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES is an exceptional entry in the genre: part Monster Movie and part Social Commentary (worker rights are touched on- like the right not to be worked to death after Death...), it boasts a solid cast working from a sound script, with some taut direction and some suitably icky makeups (I've always liked the "soulless" look white contacts give Supernatural characters; Sam Raimi nailed the look in THE EVIL DEAD). The direct lineal descendant of movies like WHITE ZOMBIE and I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE, THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES can be viewed as the last of that particular line: within a year or two, George Romero would redefine the Zombie in Fright Films (for better or for worse) for Generations to come.

John Gilling directed this atmospheric Hammer studios thriller that stars Andre Morell as Sir James Forbes, who, along with his daughter Sylvia(played by Diane Clare) have arrived at a Cornish village to help his former student Peter Thompson(played by Brook Williams) deal with a string of mysterious deaths he hasn't been able to solve because of the superstitious villagers. The local Squire Hamilton(played by John Carson) is in reality the leader of a secret voodoo cult that is using zombies as slave labor in his silver mine, and having first targeted Peter's wife Alice, now wants Sylvia... Excellent horror film has fine atmosphere, direction, and script, with good performances by all. Makes a perfect double feature with "The Reptile", also from Hammer.

To keep this simple - atmosphere, that is the best, single word to describe this film for me.It emanates the creepiness that modern zombie flicks lack, thus, this is the definitive zombie film in my book. The acting is top-shelf and you warm up to (connect with) the characters quick-like as a result.Then, the makeup... as one of the earlier zombie films done in color, you really get to see the terrific detail lacking in earlier B&W movies, and I dare say better than later, more mainstream titles that I won't mention by name ;) Again, atmosphere.Bottom line, not much in the way of gore, as is so common in modern zombie movies (they seem to rely on it), but what you get is emotion. I can watch often and love to experience the creepy feel of the film, the ruthlessness of the villains, the triumphs and tragedies of our protagonist and his crew, then...the films climax. Greatness from start to finish. Love it!

Hammer's only stab at the zombie genre, the film takes place in a small town where strange occurrences and the odd disappearance catches the eye of local doctor Peter Tompson (Brook Williams). To investigate further, he enlists the help of his old teacher Professor (and Sir!) James Forbes (Andre Morell) who arrives with his daughter Sylvia (Diane Clare). Soon strange sightings are seen of zombie-like creatures, and suspicion is aroused with the aggressive behaviour of a group of fox hunters and the reclusive Clive Hamilton (John Carson). Is this the work of black magic and voodoo, or scientific experimentation gone wrong?This is probably Hammer's most shamelessly entertaining film. This doesn't have the cutting edge politics and satire of Romero's original zombie trilogy, or the over-the-top cheap gore of Raimi's Evil Dead films, but has the distinction of being a typically British film, only with zombies! It's predictable and silly but it's bloody good fun. It's also made with Hammer's high production standards, beautiful sets and a surprisingly sinister edge. These aren't zombies that will eat your brains, and to be honest they only properly turn up in the last twenty minutes or so, but the film moves fast and has a great lead performance in stiff-upper-lipped Andre Morell. Not bad for a film that was the supporting feature in a Hammer double bill.www.the-wrath-of-blog.blogspot.com