(Terry Becker; 1973)

(Something Weird / Image)

A handful of women are kidnapped and taken to a remote compound on the side of a mountain near Manila, Philippines. One of the women has been prophesized to become one of the members of the ageless cult that holds the women captive. The cult revolves around a disembodied head in a glass cube filled with blood that serves as a sort of oracle. Using the blood of pretty girls in their prime, the cult mixes a potion with a type of leaf that grows in the region to give the chosen members eternal life. Those girls not chosen to become eternal are soon robbed of their youth and beauty and locked in a dungeon. Mayhem and bad hair ensues.

Great title, not so great film. The Thirsty Dead suffers from a disturbing lack of T&A and gore despite much ample opportunity for both the acting is horrible and the one scene involving bloodshed is poor. Not a complete waste of time, but still a bit of a snooze-fest. Good for a laugh. 

Terrible. In fact in some parts of the film it’s near impossible to make out what the dialogue is supposed to be saying and the film has more snaps, crackles, and pops than a bowl of Rice Krispies.

Given Something Weird’s track record, the film was probably a lost cause when they got it. As a result there’s much artifacting, distortion and fading throughout.

I can’t get enough of these Something Weird discs. Even if the films contained therein are complete stinkbombs, there’s much fun to be had.    

-         Tons of trailers

-         Double Feature with Swamp of the Ravens.

-         Includes “The Black Hand”, an episode of the ultra-rare shot-in-Sweden TV Horror Anthology 13 Demon Street, hosted by Lon Chaney, Jr.

-         Ghastly Gallery of Ghoulish Comic Cover Art

Standard DVD keep case.

Sound: 2

Picture: 2

Special Features: 10

Packaging: 5

Film: 3

Overall Rating: 6