House of the Living Dead

4/14/2016

Right off the bat, I previously had no idea that South Africa made any horror films, so, simply in that, I learned something. Over a long career (1968-99), this was one of only three cinematic works that director Austin made (all in the early 70's)--usually he did TV work--and in fact, production value-wise, it seemed like made-for-TV fare. Basically a vineyard/plantation with black, witchcraft-practicing slaves, and the owner harbouring a dark secret: A genius twin brother, who was discredited in the medical community to begin with, and then, since an almost-fatal brain injury suffered in an accident a year ago, basically insane and confined to the mansion's attic. It was decently made and, as late-night fare, perfectly acceptable. It could have been made a lot better in more capabl