Die, Monster, Die! / The Dunwich Horror (Midnite Movies Double Feature) [DVD]

I bought this mostly to get a copy of "The Dunwich Horror" - but having never seen "Die, Monster, Die!," I figured this would be the best route. I remember seeing 'Dunwich' back-in-the-day (first release) at a drive-in, and though I hadn't read the story prior to that, enjoyed it a lot. Now, after having read the story, I find it to be a decent adaptation (with quite a few liberties taken). The one thing that stands out about it for me is the wonderful opening credit sequence - produced by Sandy Dvore. Practically telling the entire story, while morphing the 'silhouettes' - using a simple palette of blue and black - is a masterful presentation. As for the rest of the film, I find it entertaining - containing enough Lovecraftian references to please my expectations. I'd have to say that my favorite actor was Ed Begley, Jr. He portrayed my impression of Dr. Armitage quite well. Dean Stockwell was quite adequate (the sequence on Sentinel Hill, where he 'battles' the Dr. is my favorite live-action sequence). Sandra Dee is always 'pleasing to the eye,' though I really didn't think her, or her character, added much to the film. Still - my overall enjoyment would give this 5-stars.However, there is the small matter of the other film included in this set. It literally took me almost ten attempts to finally watch it all the way through. I haven't been pained that much trying to watch a film in a long time. The effects were...odd and unnatural - but not in a good, applicable way. The acting was, well, people saying lines rather than filling a role. There were a few wonderful lines from the great Boris Karloff - enough to please a horror film like myself. Still - my overall impression was very unfavorable. I would rate this film on it's own as 2-stars. As a closing note for this film - the quality (at least in this edition) was rather poor. I don't know if that's the best that could be achieved - nor do I really care, since this film is - in my opinion - merely filler.Now - how did I come up with a 4-star rating from this mix? Well, I gave the benefit of the doubt toward "The Dunwich Horror" (and the previously mentioned title sequence). Maybe I should downgrade that to 3 stars overall, but I don't want to discourage anyone from checking out "Horror" merely because of the inclusion of "Die."

Director Daniel Haller began his career as an art director for Roger Corman. He worked on all the early Edgar Allan Poe pictures and after the success of THE HAUNTED PALACE (1963), was given his chance to direct on another adaptation of an H.P. Lovecraft story. H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937) was a writer who came into his own in the 1960s with the republication of many of his horror stories which were turned into a series of films by American International Pictures and a number of episodes of Rod Serling's NIGHT GALLERY. The story chosen, THE COLOR OUT OF SPACE one of Lovecraft's best, became DIE, MONSTER DIE in 1965. Despite the blatant drive-in title, the film turned out to be surprisingly good and it contains one of Boris Karloff's best late career performances. It was shot in England and had the services of the ill-fated Nick Adams (his early death resembled Heath Ledger's) along with a solid British cast. The photography is impressive, the settings cheap but interesting, and the performances triumph over the OK script. The first half is wonderfully atmospheric and reminded me of the HARRY POTTER pictures. The second half, which is more plot heavy with the typical B movie rushed conclusion (taken from Karloff's 1936 THE INVISIBLE RAY), is less satisfactory but it can't take away from the overall aura that the film generates. Underrated and very much worth your time.The same cannot be said of THE DUNWICH HORROR which followed 4 years later. This film was shot in America and is full of late 1960s hip trendiness which give the movie an incredibly dated feel. Actually I remember seeing this film in high school when it came to town in 1970. My date and I were not impressed as we weren't really into the counterculture at that time. It did contain a few good scares but those were mostly accidental. I remember afterwards how disappointed we were at how atmosphere had been sacrificed for drugged out visuals. The essential elements of the story are in place with a modern day warlock attempting to resurrect an ancient race of beings by mating them with women. Dean Stockwell as the warlock, gives a subdued, intense performance despite the rather poor script and he receives able support from Sam Jaffe and Ed Begley. Sandra Dee however remains Sandra Dee despite this attempt to jazz up her image and she doesn't help matters. One interesting bit of trivia is that DUNWICH HORROR features an early appearance by Talia Coppola (later Shire) 6 years before ROCKY. It's hard to believe that these two movies were made by the same director but it goes to show the difference between a British technical crew and an American one and how attitudes in the movie business had changed in just 4 years. This DVD is worth it for the first film with the second an interesting time capsule.

This is region code 1 so make sure your dvd will play it in the UK.Die Monster Die sees Boris Karloff playing his usual eccentric old man with a dark secret role, living in a house on a country estate that is shunned by the locals.His daughter doesn't want to leave home as he is ill, but her fiance is suspicious of what the old man is up to, as the whole household slowly succumbs to a malevolent force buried in the cellars of the mansion.This is quite well done and creepy for a mid-sixties horror, and the cast all play their roles well. It is done on a low budget, and is filmed at some familiar UK location, Oakley Court being used once again for the creepy house.Fans of Hammer and AIP chillers from this era should have fun with this one.The Dunwich Horror is a pretty psychedelic offering, with Warlock Dean Stockwell seducing innocent Sandra Dee into performing in his evil rites to try and release the "Older Ones" to rule the earth once more.There are some wild colour effects in this as the forces of evil are unleashed on their victims, and the dreaded thing in the attic gets free, that give the whole movie the feeling of a wild trip.Another fun AIP movie from 1970 which should please the fans.DVD presentation is fine with both prints looking ok. Trailers are provided for each film.

Boris Karloff the protecting father wishing his daughter to remain with him. Expermenting with special stones over a period of years plants and flowers grow exceptionally large in the greenhouse. The stones have a great effect in the soil but also affect humans, bringing illness to being weak and frail. The Dunwich Horror, Dean Stockwell interested in a valued priceless book, and a family member of the generation who published it, tries to steal it from the library. He takes a woman prisoner hynotising her with his magical charm. Two of her friends go to look for her. Can all come at the end and can he be stopped and the woman set free.

remember seeing this film, many year back, glad i now own a copy, have been a big fan of "HP Lovecraft" , and this is not a bad go at bring a great story, [the story was written in 1928] to film.. i do wonder, what could be done with even more moden filming technique...

Thanks

Another 70`s sucess great acting a good story line a must for occult flowers