The Dead Are Alive

The Dead Are Alive is a 1972 Italian thriller directed by Armando Crispino and starring Alex Cord, Samantha Eggar, and John Marley. The film is known for its intense atmosphere and hauntingly beautiful score, which won a Silver Ribbon award.

The story follows Jason Porter (Alex Cord), an American lawyer who travels to Italy for a vacation after his friend's suicide. While hiking in the Italian Alps, he comes across a mysterious woman named Eva (Samantha Eggar) who claims to have seen his friend's ghost. Persuaded by her story, he starts to investigate further and discovers a strange conspiracy involving a dead painter, his five wives, and the curse of the devil.

As he delves deeper into the case, Jason is confronted with a series of macabre events and bizarre situations that challenge his beliefs and sanity. He meets a cast of eccentric characters, including the painter's jealous ex-lover (Nicoletta Elmi), a cunning art dealer (John Marley), a fanatical priest (Enzo Tarascio), and an enigmatic countess (Nadia Cassini), who seems to hold the key to the mystery.

The Dead Are Alive is a slow-burning thriller that relies more on mood and atmosphere than action and gore. The cinematography is striking, with stunning landscapes and eerie sets that enhance the surreal and supernatural elements of the story. The sound design is also noteworthy, as it creates a sense of unease throughout the film, with whispering voices, creaking doors, and ominous music.

The performances are strong and well-rounded, with Alex Cord delivering a convincing portrayal of a man on the brink of obsession and Samantha Eggar imbuing her character with a mix of vulnerability and charisma. John Marley steals the show with his nuanced performance as the shrewd and manipulative art dealer, who might be the real villain of the piece.

The Dead Are Alive is not a flawless film, though. It suffers from a convoluted plot that can be confusing at times, with multiple flashbacks and dream sequences that disrupt the narrative flow. The pacing is slow, and some scenes drag on for too long, leading to occasional boredom. The ending is also ambiguous and may leave some viewers dissatisfied.

However, these flaws do not detract from the overall effectiveness of the film as a chilling and thought-provoking thriller. The Dead Are Alive is a must-see for fans of Italian horror and suspense films, as it represents a rare gem that balances style and substance. It has a unique atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll, and it raises intriguing questions about the nature of death, art, and madness.

Overall, if you're looking for a movie that will stir your imagination and keep you on the edge of your seat, then The Dead Are Alive is a great choice. It's a haunting and beautifully crafted film that showcases the talent of its director and cast, and it deserves more recognition than it has received.