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6/10
Better in Black and white
30 March 2007
Crypt of the living Dead seemed like a pretty decent vampire film to me. As I was reading the other commentaries which were fairly negative, I suddenly realized that my version of this film (which came from a Mill Creek entertainment box set-Chilling Classics) is in black and white whereas the film was actually made in color (at least according to IMDb). I have often thought that certain types of films (gothic horror, film noirs etc) are better in BW anyway. Settings can seem more ephemeral and eerie. Gore and blood looks more other-worldly. I do realize that watching a color film in BW is suboptimal in the sense that you are not viewing all aspects that the director intended (similar to watching colorized films, I suppose).

Nevertheless, I would suggest to viewers of this film that they at least try viewing it the way I have. It was a rather interesting experience. Perhaps Mill Creek also thought this film was better viewed this way.
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5/10
Some redeeming features
30 March 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This film is actually better than most commentators have suggested, if you approach it with the right viewpoint. The climax sequence is particularly well paced and interesting and, although a bit hard to follow (the characters themselves seem to share this confusion), actually has three competing influences effecting the experiment which involves 4 subjects- first the main actors at the lab are doing some type of environmental experiment, second the government interloper/conspirators are attempting to override the experiment with some mind control experiment of their own. Third, the computer "controlling" the experiment perhaps sensing this conflict seems to have ideas of its own and apparently goes haywire with everyone complaining about computer errors and their failure to achieve their desired ends. All three are entwined in a rapid fire climax that shows walls closing in, an attempted escape by the subjects, and a last minute attempted government cover-up (pre-watergate).

Perhaps the filmmakers were themselves disputing the type of movie plot they want in an on-the-fly improvisation with one faction wanting a government intrigue film and the other interested in some film about environmental ethics, computer malfunctions or whatever. If so, the film stands as a testament to their conflict and attempt for a resolution. Whether intended or not, the conflict presented is quite interesting. Loads of dramatic irony in this one.

All in all, a rather entertaining film. Mainstream movies are generally too slick and unwilling to experiment to be able to achieve this level of free wheeling improvisation.
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