Movie, "Messiah of Evil," from 1973
This 1973 movie is very different from the now popular shoot-em-up zombie movies, as made popular with Romero's movie trilogoy of the dead.
Messiah of Evil moves slowly, and even at the climax it's still not fast paced compared to current movies and shows. Some might say that it's more cerebral, while others will say that it's boring. I wouldnt' disagree with either view.
The movie follows the plight of a young woman who tries to visit her father at his oceanside house in the Pacific northwest. She discovers that his house is empty and her father is nowhere to be seen. She is soon joined by three people that she had just met and we soon see what happens when any of them dares to venture into town.
The father left a diary, and it describes the "turning" process, which isn't exactly the same a with a Romero zombie. The process in this movie doesn't require death because the process seems to be one where the body gradually dies and then develops "the hunger." The father's diary also explains about the mesiah, who was a survivor of the cannibalistic Donner Party and he seems to have somehow spread it all.
Those viewers who require that a zombie movie involves allot of shooting will be disappointed. Even considering that, this isn't a great movie by any means. But I would say that it is notable for its genre. It does give a different slant on the zombie outbreak phenomenon, and in that regard some viewers will like it.
I watch a lot of the more obscure 70's genre films and I somehow missed this one.I'll have to check it out.
Ever seen I Drink Your Blood?Not a good movie in any sense, but the "zombies' are infected by rabies,making it a precursor to 28 Days Later.Came out in the early 70's.
Its not too bad. I liked the super market scene.
