Till Death

very strange and morbid film. not many have ever seen it, even big time horror movie buffs. i saw it on a local t.v years ago and taped it. the storyline is something right out of 'night gallery'. good weird visuals, even if the film drags a bit! the acting is typical b movie type! but it doesn't take away much from a film born on b movie trappings. the opening scene still rates best for me. though the mausoleum 'showdown' isa close second. spooky, creepy and a good watch. a must see for old school horror fans! its got the crypt, the dead people, and all else you need for a low budget horror film. see it if you can find it! keep an eye out on local late night television stations. maybe it'll turn up on a $1 DVD at some point!!!

The essential story here could be used for a very affecting -- if rather short -- film, playing upon claustrophobia, necrophobia, our desires for undying love, and so forth.

Unfortunately, this film seems to have been shot quickly, with mere workaday direction, cinematography, sound, and acting, despite the fact that most of the participants did substantially better work at other points in their careers.

It's interesting to note that this film is connected to the infamous -They Saved Hitler's Brain- by way both of Walter Stocker and of one of the actors (Marshall Reed).

First, it is a movie made in the 70's, so it does lack the action and visuals that modern movies have. Therefore, younger viewers may not like it at all. For older viewers: if you have ever lost a loved one or experienced thoughts of losing a loved one, then this movie will have a profound impact on you. Yes, it is campy, slightly over-acted, and lacking of high-tech visuals, but the theme is timeless, and the music will be remembered. If released on DVD, I can almost guarantee that sales will amaze the skeptics.

1974's "Till Death" is a rarely seen low budgeter produced and directed by actor Walter Stocker, best remembered for his starring turn in the infamous "They Saved Hitler's Brain," coproduced by his daughter Pamela and scripted by his son, Gregory Dana. Filmed around 1972-73, this was the film debut of beloved cult actress Belinda Balaski, but went unreleased until quietly slipping out in early 1978, falling into near total obscurity following its few TV screenings. A lengthy precredits sequence depicts a prophetic nightmare for Paul Ryan (Keith Atkinson), on the eve of his impending wedding to lovely Anne (Belinda), which finds him trailing a mysterious woman in white leading him to Anne's crypt, where she appears as a horrible decayed corpse. Alas, the newlyweds enjoy only a few hours of bliss before a tragic auto accident leaves her dead, and Paul in traction for some months afterwards. Once he is able to walk again, he immediately journeys to her grave (an amusing turn from Jonathan Hole), and is inadvertently locked into the crypt overnight. Regaining consciousness, he amazingly hears her call for his help, breaking into her sealed tomb to find her seemingly alive and well. They spend the night together, despite ominous warnings that all will not end well at dawn, reminiscent of the second story from the 1964 Mexican anthology feature "100 Cries of Terror," expanded to feature length, with a black cat representing the supernatural, and a genuinely shocking climax. The reunion takes up the second half of the film's 71 minute running time, padded with slowly paced scenes that fail to create much resonance in the characters' grief stricken situation. Like other genre efforts from the era such as "Stanley" and "Horror High," there is a memorable theme song, composed and sung by Chick Rains, sounding not unlike Don McLean's hit single "Vincent." Despite the presence of the bewitching Belinda (yes, even in a white shroud), this seems to have escaped cult status, appearing on Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater on Jan 3 1981 and Dec 25 1982 (not the happiest movie for a Christmas viewing).

This film is not for the crowds that want blood, gore and action. Till Death is a film for those that understand the pain of loosing someone you are in-love with. It's a slow film, very little action and a good story. This film has a feeling of madness and claustrophobia when widower Paul Ryan accidentally gets locked into the tomb of his recently deceased wife Anne. Her memory and his guilt takes focus in a haunting but heartwarming horror story.

It's a low budget film. B-film doe not mean Bad Film, it's just a Budget Film... a movie with little cash to work with. The filmmakers of Till Death did a wonderful job on the film with little money.

For those that like the older and subtle horror stories this is a film you might enjoy. It's worth watching.

6.5/10