Watch The Undead

In the 1950s classic horror film The Undead, directed by Roger Corman, we are introduced to a young woman named Diana Love (played by Pamela Duncan) who volunteers to participate in an experiment that will allow her to travel back in time and experience her past lives. The experiment is conducted by a mysterious and unscrupulous hypnotist named Pendragon (played by Richard Garland), who convinces Diana to go under hypnosis and journey back to the 13th century where she assumes the identity of a woman accused of witchcraft and sentenced to be burned at the stake.

As she slips deeper into her trance, Diana finds herself transported to a medieval village where she meets the inhabitants, including lustful and cruel Baron von Leppe (played by Val Dufour) and his beautiful and innocent ward Livia (played by Allison Hayes). Diana quickly realizes that this is not a mere hallucination but a real trip back in time, and she must fight to stay alive in a world where superstition and fear reign supreme.

From the outset, the film is shrouded in an eerie atmosphere, with Pendragon using his hypnotic powers to ensnare Diana and transport her to a realm where anything is possible. The camera-work is disorienting, with heavy use of close-ups, and an emphasis on the strange and sinister side of things.

Diana's journey back in time is a nail-biting ordeal, with a series of terrifying encounters that challenge her sense of reality and make her question her own sanity. She is taunted by the townspeople who view her as a witch, chased through an ominous forest by a menacing creature, and confronted by Baron von Leppe himself who is all too eager to punish her for her supposed transgressions.

At the heart of the film is the battle between good and evil, as Diana struggles to survive in a world where the forces of darkness seem to be closing in around her. As she seeks to unravel the mystery of her past life, a web of deceit, betrayal, and ancient magic unfolds around her, until she is pushed to the very brink of her sanity.

Some of the most memorable scenes in the film involve Diana's interactions with the medieval villagers, who are portrayed as superstitious and fearful of outsiders. The medieval setting is convincingly rendered, with medieval architecture, costumes, and props that lend an air of authenticity to the proceedings.

Overall, The Undead is a well-crafted horror film that cleverly blends elements of time travel, witchcraft, and medieval mysticism to create a haunting and suspenseful experience. The performances are solid, with Pamela Duncan turning in a strong and convincing portrayal of a woman caught between two worlds, while Richard Garland skillfully portrays the morally ambiguous Pendragon. Meanwhile, Allison Hayes brings a sense of innocence and vulnerability to her role as Livia, the young ward of Baron von Leppe.

In conclusion, The Undead is a quintessential horror film of the 1950s that delivers chills and thrills in spades. With its haunting atmosphere, compelling storyline, and well-realized characters, it remains a beloved classic of the genre, and a must-see for horror film enthusiasts everywhere.

The Undead is a 1957 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.6.