The Thirsty Dead (1974)

User Rating:

2.9/10   

Director:

Terry Becker

Writers:

Terry Becker (story)
Charles Dennis (writer)
(more)

Release Date:

6 September 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Horror | Action

Tagline:

They need a special liquid to stay young. It is red, thick and warm!

Plot:

Beautiful young girls are kidnapped off the streets of Manila by a death cult that needs their blood to remain immortal. |

Plot Keywords:

Jeep | Helicopter | Human Sacrifice | Chosen One | Independent Film

Cast

Jennifer Billingsley	...	Laura
Judith McConnell	...	Claire
John Considine	...	Baru
Tani Guthrie	...	Ranu
Fredricka Meyers	...	Ann
Chiqui da Rosa	...	Bonnie
Mary Walters	...	Eva
Elena Sampson	...	Hala
Vic Diaz	...	Police lieutenant
Rod Navarro	...	Francisco
Rick Rhorke	...	Sailor

Directed by
Terry Becker

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Terry Becker		story
Charles Dennis		writer
Lou Whitehill		story

Produced by
Wesley E. De Pue	....	producer
Carlos H. Reyes	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Richard LaSalle

Cinematography by
Nonong Rasca

Film Editing by
Anthony DiMarco

Production Design by
Robert Formoso

Makeup Department
Cecille Baun	....	makeup artist
Mely Sioson	....	hair stylist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jose Velasco	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Levy Principe	....	sound mixer

Other crew
Vic Diaz	....	production coordinator

Production Companies

• de & be Productions

Distributors

• International Amusements Corp. (1974) (USA) (theatrical)
• K & C Video (????) (Australia) (VHS)
• Mitam Productions (????) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Reel Media International (2005) (USA) (all media)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (2002) (USA) (DVD-R)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (2002) (USA) (VHS)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (2003) (USA) (DVD) (special edition)
• St. Clair Vision (2004) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Blood Hunt (video title)
The Blood Cult of Shangri-La

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA | Philippines

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Philippines

Company:

de & be Productions

Quotes:

Baru: Friends? It was understood that you were unknown to each other.
Laura: You make friends quickly when you share a cell!

Not a bad way to spend a boring night, not a good one either

This movie's main flaw seems to be that it takes itself too seriously. Its skirting around camp, taken in consideration with some moments that seem quite earnestly acted and scripted (however poorly it worked out), becomes an unintentional side-effect. This negates 90% of the reason to watch this movie. It is cheaply made on top of this which detracts even further in that rather than go for a more natural look, they tried for some sort of sci-fi exotica kind of thing and ended up with a office dress party.

The plot works fair enough, though it probably would have worked more had they dropped the horror pretenses and moved straight into action/adventure style territory. There is no new ground here.

The acting is not always wooden, and has some okay moments, but is largely inconsistent. Signs of grief or panic are often achieved by a far off look or a hand biting scene.

All in all, the biggest flaw here (besides a low budget, which they could have worked around, I have seen too many good low budget movies) is that they are tapping into a 1950's era schlock flick flavor, and somehow trying to keep it fresh and end up with a poor mix altogether.