The Grapes of Death

Once I got over the initial disappointment of this not being about giant killer grapes, I got a nicely atmospheric (if willfully minor) entry in the '70s zombie canon. The sparse rustic settings might remind of Grau's "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie", but the often-atrocious direction and editing won't. Porn star Brigitte Lahaie is the finest actor in the entire film.

Despite this being inconsistent in quality, a bit bleak and meandering, and with cheap-looking effects, I rather enjoyed it. It just about summons up enough atmosphere to remain compelling, reminiscent of early Romero flicks like The Crazies and Night of the Living Dead, and hints of Cronenberg. The acting is all fine, even if the script could do with tightening up (as could a few other aspects). There are a few memorable moments, and the end result is a curious blend of exploitation and drama.

A zombie film that could only have been made in France. It's certainly inept, but the premise is brilliant (for a 70ies exploitation piece) and there are certain moments of inspired bad movie magic that made this more than worth my while. A zombie making out with the severed head of a blind chick, for one.

very eloquently directed and shot. it isolates you in the way good zombie films do but avoids any well tread ground. interesting anti-capitalist pro-environment context too.

Very atmospheric, fun and inspired take on the zombie genre.

"...[Rollin's] most suspenseful and accessible production ever."

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