Return Of The Evil Dead

Return of the Evil Dead, is a 1973 Spanish horror film directed by Amando de Ossorio, a sequel in the acclaimed Blind Dead series. Notably featuring seasoned actors such as Tony Kendall, Fernando Sancho, and Esperanza Roy, this film notably combines elements of supernatural horror with a deep-seated sense of human brutality and self-interest.

In this film the historic and classic knights Templar - figures who remain eerie specters of medieval times, steeped in both courageous mythology and accused heresy - are the central villains. Ossorio intriguingly portrays these Knights as cursed, undead creatures, returning from the dead hungry for human flesh, drawn forth by the veil of night.

The film opens to a historic flashback several centuries back, to the small Spanish village of Bouzano. Here, the Templars are gruesomely blinded by townsfolk, in retaliation for their terrifying raids and murderous behavior. They are then executed, and their bodies abandoned. Fast forward to the present day, and the village of Bouzano is preparing to celebrate their annual festival commemorating the Templar's defeat. However, this time the celebration comes with an eerie premonition. It is as if this anniversary, amongst the joyous fireworks and jamboree, has awakened the blind dead once again.

The narrative primarily follows Jack Marlowe (portrayed by the excellent Tony Kendall), an experienced and hard-nosed fireworks expert, who arrives at the village to oversee the festival's firelight display. Quaint village life swiftly takes a dark turn as terror ensues and the resurrected blind dead, formidably clad in their rusting armor, start to hunt the villagers.

Added to the chaos is the complicated love triangle between Jack, the beautiful local girl Vivian (Esperanza Roy) and the corrupt Mayor Duncan (Fernando Sancho). It is through their conflicts that the film explores the lengths people are willing to go to secure their own survival, and the depth of betrayal it can often lead to. The tense relationships and interplay of these three central characters add a fresh layer of depth to this terror-filled plot, making Return of the Evil Dead more than just a simple haunting tale.

Another captivating aspect of this film is its depiction of the dead. The Knight Templars are not your average zombies. Killing them is not as simple as headshot. They are blind and navigate by sound which creates an underlying edge, a fascinating sense of chilling suspense where even the slightest sound could be the cause of one's demise.

Above and beyond the plot and characterization, another enduring strength of this film is its atmospheric tension. Director Amando de Ossorio adeptly creates, through the use of light and sound, a palpable air of unease and dread that pervades the film. Ossorio's skilful use of shadowy visuals and sound effects intrigue, yet terrifies, adding to the overall impressions of suspense and danger. This experience is heightened by the chilling sound design which includes the faint distant echoes of a dead Templar horse's hooves and jingling spurs, enhancing anticipation of the forthcoming terror.

Return of the Evil Dead should be remembered as one of the standout films of the 70s horror genre. While admittedly at times it follows predictable genre tropes, it simultaneously brings a unique and refreshing angle to the undead genre. Ossorio's unique interpretation of the Knights Templar as slow-moving, though unerringly persistent, inescapable horrors has left an indelible standard for many future horror films to follow.

The performances, particularly from the trio of Kendall, Sancho, and Roy, are commendable with their character arcs being intriguing and complicated layers to the nail-biting main plot. Despite its age, or perhaps because of it, Return of the Evil Dead remains a captivating, unsettling piece of cinema that will delight any aficionado of the undead horror genre, who will relish this unique retelling and interpretation of the Templar mythos.