Sound of Horror (1967)

Touches You

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

With its title a parody of a well-known Julie Andrews musical, SOUND OF HORROR is an engaging film – and an odd one too. There's just some combination between Spain and monster flicks that make for distinctly distinctive movies; see, for instance, later '70s fare like THE LORELEY'S GRASP for another example. SOUND OF HORROR recalls the classic '50s monster movies popular around the world and it reminded me of BEAST FROM HOLLOW MOUNTAIN, although there's no obvious similarity between the two flicks.The cast is an engaging bunch and for a change the dubbing doesn't affect the performances too badly. The male characters are typically stern and bluff, but the focus is on the two female characters, played by Soledad Miranda and Ingrid Pitt. Both found fame in the 1970s, the former in Jess Franco skinflicks and the latter in Hammer horror skinflicks, and both lend equal glamour to the proceedings. They seem to spend an inordinate amount of time either dancing, wandering around in loose-fitting nightwear, or sunbathing, which I guess is the point.Of course, the main gimmick of this flick is that the monster is invisible. This is an effective idea; not only does it cut down on the budget, it also makes things that little bit creepier, as there's no rubber-suited or back-projected menace to date the film; instead, the viewer's imagination supplies the effects. The monster's cries are seriously spooky, although they do sound a little like a guy suffering from stomach pains on occasion; they had a shiver or two going up my spine. The script, written by an American, is better than most and focuses on stuff the viewers want to see, i.e. conflict between the group and encounters with the sinister terror. Director Jose Antonio Nieves Conde never really worked on any famous productions but he does an admirable job here, keeping things tight and never letting the pace flag too much.A spooky soundtrack adds to the atmosphere and the film's also surprisingly gory for its age – we see victims slashed to pieces by the monster. Perhaps they got away with it because it's black and white, but even so these moments are mildly shocking today. The climax, a variation on the classic house-under-attack format seen in THE BIRDS as well as about a hundred other horror movies, is effective, utilising clever scenes with flour and floating hatchets, and there's a good ending involving a twist with the car. Sure, SOUND OF HORROR is a B-movie through and through, but it's an effective, mildly scary one that's both well-made and well-directed.

If you are a fan of vintage, cult horror movies like I am then you will absolutely love this movie. I cannot believe that it has no cult following! I can't even find a movie poster for it. Although it is a low budget, dubbed, Spanish movie it has a great story with very good acting and the effects are as cool as can be. Overall it is made in the typical fashion of horror movies of this period but has some real surprises along the way. The acting and dubbing is far superior than most. The sets are good. The camera work is average or a little above. But the story is very good and interesting with many scenes that I do not want to give away. The black and white make it moody and pretty scary. There are some rather gory effects especially for the time. The monster is invisible for the most part yet you can really imagine it from some cool footprints and the blood curdling noise that it makes. You really worry for the people in this movie. It also has one of the most surprise endings that I have ever seen in a movie of this era. Another reason that I can't understand why this movie is not out there is that it is Ingrid Pitt's first movie role. She is lovely as ever but looks a lot different than her 1970's roles.This movie is a must for vintage horror fans.

I fully expected to snore through this film. It is made on an obviously low budget. When you realize that the monster is invisible you know it is because they couldn't afford to show it to us.Why make a dinosaur movie? Why not get a guy in a suit to play the monster if it will be cheaper? However, I did find myself getting caught up in the action. Credit for this must be given to director J.A. Nieves Conde. The film moves at a fun, brisk pace and there are a few effective suspenseful moments. This is no small feat. The screeches produced by this creature are ridiculous in that they are clearly made by a man, but somehow it sorta works. Go figure. Jess Franco regular Soledad Miranda and Hammer goddess Ingrid Pitt look great in early roles, by the way.

How do you save money when you want to make a scary movie? Easy, just make the monster invisible! It worked (sort of) with INVISIBLE INVADERS (1958) where not only the aliens but also their spaceships were invisible. That is just what happens in this movie only it isn't space aliens this time it's . . . well hold on, I'll get to that.This b/w Spanish movie offers a bunch of old war buddies who are searching the mountains of Greece for art treasures hidden during WW2. To do this the start blowing holes in a mountain which the locals say is cursed. One blast does uncover a mummy but no his name isn't Popoca and he doesn't come back to life; that's another movie you are thinking of. They also discover a fossilised egg which they decide to take back to base camp. Unknown to them there was a second egg which cracked open. The contents, a blob-like substance, oozes out and . . . vanishes! Not long after that the men are planning what to do with the wealth they are soon to have when they dig up all those treasures (no one worries that the governments of the countries the artworks were stolen from might want them back but just keep repeating "It's only a movie, only a movie, only a movie . . ."). One man wanders outside to enjoy the night air when suddenly he hears footsteps but no one is close then. Then an ear piercing shriek rips through the night air. When the others find the friend he has been ripped to pieces. But who . . . or WHAT . . . did it?Okay here is what you have been waiting for. The young dinosaur popped out of the egg that hatched but he (it?) just happens to be . . . wait for it . . . invisible! Now this dino is just about mansized but his teeth and claws, plus the fact that you cannot see him until it is way too late, give him the advantage. The treasure hunters cannot even run to their truck and drive away because it might be waiting for them! Hmmmmmm, I'd say we have a problem here.Effects are surprisingly gory for a movie from 1964 and the suspense is really well constructed. The effects are fair, jump cuts are used the dino's footprints appearing in the sand and when an axe is thrown at the beast it is a blue-screen shot that only semi works. So is this a good film? YOU BET! It is the sort of thing that will make you feel like a kid at the movies on Saturday afternoon again. Of special interest is the inclusion of 27 year old Ingrid Pitt and 22 year old Soledad Miranda in the cast. Both would go on to achieve stardom, Ms. Pitt in Hammer Films and Ms. Miranda in movies for Jess Franco. The movie stops dead in its tracks so both women can dance.So do we ever get to see the dinosaur? Should I tell you or let you find out for yourselves? Ah, the movie is available from several DVD sources so . . . er . . . "see" for yourselves. you will not be disappointed.