TOMB OF THE WEREWOLF (aka "THE UNLIVING")
Written and Directed by Fred Olen Ray
Featuring Paul Naschy, Michelle Bauer, Jay Richardson, Stephanie Bentley,
Kennedy Johnston, Leland Jay, Beverly Lynne and Jacy Andrews
2003
Fred Olen Ray (Yahoo Group)

I felt kind of ignorant when I watched this film, because I grew up a fan of Fred Olen Ray's work, having no knowledge of Paul Naschy whatsoever. As a horror fan, all I knew was that Naschy is famous for having played a werewolf in several Spanish films, dating as far back as 1968 and as recently as 1996 (I'd never seen one though). In TOMB OF THE WEREWOLF, he plays the exact same character he played in all those old movies! This is far from what you'd expect to see Michelle Bauer and Jay Richardson acting in, but it's still a cool movie in its own right.

The crew from a Discovery Channel type of "ancient mysteries" TV show heads to a creepy old mansion to document the Daninsky family legend, of which Richard (my man Jay Richardson) is the current descendant. Little do they know, the lady of the house is actually Elizabeth Bathory (Michelle Bauer), the famous "Blood Countess", and she needs Richard to resurrect the werewolf Waldemar Daninsky (Paul Naschy).

I really liked the story and the feel of this movie, and its short running time kept things moving at a tolerable pace throughout. Fans of Naschy may or may not be disappointed in the fact that he doesn't have a whole lot of screen time, and he doesn't speak very many lines. Most of his scenes are running around in werewolf maekup, biting chunks out of the young cast. Also, Jay Richardson in a non-comedy role is like watching Leslie Nielsen be dramatic; he does a fine job, but you'd much rather see him being funny. However, all the acting is good and the atmosphere stays appropriately creepy. The scenes in the tomb itself are the best, appropriately so, and yes there's a werewolf in the tomb. I hate it when the title of a movie doesn't live up to what happens in it.

But the #1 reason I liked this movie is the #1 reason I picked it up in the first place: Michelle Bauer. Fans will rejoice in the fact that she totally owns this movie, it's the biggest and best role she's had in many many years. She's excellent as the evil countess (a real-life person by the way), taking full advantage of the "femme fatale" role as she seduces and destroys the pretty little hoes. I've been a fan of Michelle's since I was in junior high, and she still gets to me. Beautiful as ever, acting at the top of her game, stealing every scene she's in. This is Michelle Bauer's movie.

Thank you, Fred!

(November 2004)