Watch Curse of the Undead

Curse of the Undead is a unique cinematic blend of horror and western genres that emerged in the late 1950s. Directed by Edward Dein, the film weaves an intriguing tale that combines the mystique of the Old West with the eerie elements of vampire folklore. The movie was released in 1959, a time when both westerns and horror flicks were popular, but what set Curse of the Undead apart was its novel approach to melding these two genres together.

The film is set in a small western town that is grappling with a mysterious illness that seems to be spreading among the young women, leading to their untimely deaths. The story revolves around the Carter family, who own a ranch that is also being threatened by a sinister and unknown force. Eric Fleming plays the role of Preacher Dan, a morally upright and determined minister who is called upon to assist the Carter family in their time of despair.

As the townsfolk begin to experience more strange occurrences and more victims succumb to the unexplainable disease, Preacher Dan starts to investigate the matter, sensing that an evil beyond human understanding is at play. In his quest for truth, he encounters the enigmatic Drake Robey, portrayed by Michael Pate, a gunman whose arrival in town coincides with the onset of these disturbing events. Drake Robey's true nature and dark past gradually come to light as the story unfolds.

Kathleen Crowley plays the feisty and independent Dolores Carter, whose family is at the heart of the turmoil. As matriarch of her household, she must contend with the suspicious death of her father and the continuous threats looming over her family's ranch. She becomes a central figure in the unfolding drama as she defiantly stands against the mysterious and ominous forces threatening her home.

The world of Curse of the Undead is a place where the dusty streets and wooden structures of a western town hide a brooding terror that stalks its prey beneath the hot sun and the moonlit nights. The movie plays with the theme of good versus evil in a setting that is traditionally defined by gun-slinging outlaws and ranch disputes - but now, with the added terror of a supernatural foe that defies the laws of nature and brings a different kind of dread.

The director, Edward Dein, cleverly subverts expectations by introducing a vampire element into what would otherwise be a standard western setting, taking advantage of both the western landscape's potential for isolation and the vampire myth's association with darkness and death. The backdrop of expansive deserts, horseback chases, and saloon showdowns is juxtaposed with scenes that are shot with a typical horror film's atmospheric suspense, darkness, and the suggestion of an unseen, vampiric presence.

Throughout the film, the characters must confront both their own skepticism and the mounting evidence that something supernatural is preying upon their community. Alongside the classic western elements – such as the struggle to maintain law and order, the defense of family land, and the pursuit of justice – the characters in Curse of the Undead are forced to come to terms with the existence of a malevolent entity that challenges their notions of reality.

The score by Irving Gertz adds another layer of tension to the film, mixing western motifs with more eerie sounds that signify the presence of the otherworldly. The cinematography, meanwhile, makes good use of shadows and light to create a mood that oscillates between the clear, harsh light of day on the open prairie and the creeping darkness wherein the threat lurks.

Curse of the Undead offers viewers a cast of characters who embody the archetypal attributes of their respective genres; the steadfast hero in Preacher Dan, the vulnerable but resilient heroine in Dolores, and the inscrutable antihero presented by the enigmatic Drake Robey. Each character serves to drive the narrative forward, blending traditional western tropes with the ghoulish terror of a horror movie villain who doesn't play by the usual rules.

The film is an intriguing testament to the experimental nature of genre cinema during its time. It transcends conventional storytelling by refusing to confine itself to one genre, instead offering a cinematic experience that leverages the strengths of two very different genres. For fans of classic film, Curse of the Undead remains a curious artifact that demonstrates the potential for cross-genre innovation and remains a testament to the creative possibilities inherent in the craft of filmmaking.

Curse of the Undead is a 1959 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.