Nonureva Really Surprised!

Kirandeep Yoder The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Kamila Bell This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Phillida Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

MARIO GAUCI This is way above-average for a Paul Naschy film – the best I have watched so far, in fact – though his own part is secondary, even brief (albeit undeniably interesting). For the record, the English title has little bearing on the main narrative; the original actually translates to ORGY OF THE DEAD (nothing to do with the 1965 Ed Wood-scripted film). Incidentally, the Spanish dialogue makes all the difference in this case and though the print, culled from a TV broadcast, was far from optimal – especially glaring were the day-for-night scenes – the striking color scheme was effectively rendered nonetheless. As often happens with Euro-Cult fare, there are several alternate versions of this one out there, often sporting ludicrous monikers…none more so than the howlingly {sic} inane BRACULA: THE TERROR OF THE LIVING DEATH!! The premise (for once, not supplied by Naschy himself) is hardly novel, what with the zombie outbreak at its center; however, given the period setting, the fact that the monsters are (refreshingly) of the slave rather than flesh-eating variety, and numerous subplots that include a family inheritance, a mad doctor, the practice of black magic and necrophilia, the result is most enjoyable and reasonably accomplished of its type. The (modern-looking) hero is something of a stud who becomes romantically involved with the nymphomaniac/occultist head of the household (to which he has been invited as a beneficiary of her late husband's will) and her virtuous maid (whose father, played by THE BLANCHEVILLE MONSTER [1963]'s Gerard Tichy, is a live-in scientist and the deceased's ex-partner); of course, the two women (both lovely) cannot stand one another.The film actually starts with the old man's funeral which, however, is immediately followed by the murder of his daughter and heir (the titular victim)! After some typical scared villagers antics, the leading man (one Stan Cooper!) falls foul first of the majordomo and, then, gravedigger Naschy (who is himself seduced by the medium). Soon to appear on the scene are the flustered Mayor and a no-nonsense Police Inspector (investigating the mysterious death, his prime suspects are weirdo Naschy and newcomer Cooper). Both Naschy and the lusty wife end up dead along the way, she during a séance while he is eventually revived as one of the living dead!; though the identity of the real villain is ingeniously revealed, I arrived at that conclusion long before – and there is even a nice twist ending.

lastliberal I would imagine that many, as I, watched this film because of Paul Naschy. He has a supporting part as a gravedigger. For Naschy completists, it is essential. For others, it probably would deserve a pass as it it unremarkable.It opens with a Gothic sound and tone, and the washed out color contributes to the feel. Just what is happening is not very clear.There is plenty of nudity, but there is also some gory nudity, especially where Igor (Naschy) is concerned.The ending features zombies, and a walking Naschy with a knife in his chest, and a mad doctor.Naschy was great, as was Stelvio Rosi and Dyanik Zurakowska.

bfan83 It's really difficult to try and explain what THE HANGING WOMAN is about, but I'll give it a shot. A young man returns to his uncle's mansion shortly after his death to find out what really happened to his uncle, and . Upon his arrival, he discovers a woman hanging from a tree. He makes it to the mansion and informs the people there about the woman. When he returns to the spot, she has disappeared. He soon uncovers a plot to make an army of the living dead in order for world dominance.THE HANGING WOMAN is so erratic that you never really understand what's going on. There are also two other sub-plots in the mix here. There are also a couple more things that made me despise this film so much. 1.) Spanish horror star, Paul Naschy was woefully under-used at the necrophiliac gravedigger. 2.) The pacing was awful. It's only a 90 minute film, but it felt like it was four hours long. Mostly due to the fact that nothing is really happening for a good hour of the film. 3.) The incestuous relationship between the uncle's nephew and his nymphomaniac aunt. The love scene was just way too much to handle. And finally, 4.) The ending was completely unbelievable and rushed.Honestly, I can only really recommend THE HANGING WOMAN to Naschy fans. Even that's difficult to do. Skip it and use the 90 minutes of your precious life watching something that's far better (perhaps, HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB or THE WEREWOLF VS. THE VAMPIRE WOMEN. Two of my personal favorite Naschy film) instead of wasting it on this abomination. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

Vince-5 I saw this dubbed Spanish film as The Hanging Woman, on Gorgon Video. The box promised scenes of brutality, rape, and humiliation beyond Last House on the Left. Just to clear the record, this is not true. There is no rape, and the closest thing to humiliation is when an innocent virgin bares her breasts. There is violence and graphic gore, but it really doesn't kick in until the climax. And what a climax! Bloody zombies rampaging in the best Night of the Living Dead fashion, with the luridness increased in typical European style. The final shot is chilling and almost Bergman-esque. However, the rest of the movie is pretty uneventful. Despite a strong beginning and creepy atmosphere--with the dirtiness of the period perfectly captured by grainy, washed-out color photography--most of the film is like an overlong episode of Dark Shadows. Sexy Dyanik Zurakowska has some powerful nude scenes, and her sex scene with Stelvio Rosi helps spice things up...but not much else happens. Paul Naschy, the reason many people seek this out, has a small role as a red-herring necrophile. On the whole, I think The Hanging Woman is worth seeing--but you should know what you're getting into. If you want your Naschy fix, see one of his werewolf movies.Trivia: La Orgia de los muertos originally hit the States in 1974 as The Hanging Woman. International Artists promoted the film with a Last House-inspired campaign: "For the squeamish, keep repeating: It can't be true, can't be true, can't be true, can't be true, can't be true." Stelvio Rosi was billed as Stanley Cooper.