I am not a fan of Armando Crispino's often praised "Autopsy", but the title ("The Dead Are Alive") and the cover of the (allegedly uncut) DVD version of this movie promised some cheap thrills, so I gave it a try. Wrong move! It's a dud. Not only is the story very convoluted, but the director also has a very poor sense of time and place - his failure to clearly establish where a scene is taking place, how the characters got there or even who they are sometimes, leaves you feeling completely disorientated. The interrelationships between some of the characters are also very poorly defined...be prepared for a lot "wait a minute, who's that guy supposed to be again?" questions. The male lead is also very uncharismatic, he seems to be doing most of his acting with his fists. The best thing in the movie is Riz Ortolani's beautiful score. (*1/2)
P.S. The print used for the DVD is rather severely damaged, and the film is presented in a distracting-as-hell ultra-widescreen aspect ratio.
P.S. The print used for the DVD is rather severely damaged, and the film is presented in a distracting-as-hell ultra-widescreen aspect ratio.