RING
OF TERROR (1963)
Directed by Clark L. Paylow
Alpha DVD
Reviewed 01.17.04
Review by Joseph A. Ziemba
THE FILM
“Weird. Yeah, I guess that
IS the word for it...weird.”
So says one of the minor characters
in Ring Of Terror.
I couldn’t agree more.
During a recent Something Weird
DVD rental, I was perusing the gallery
of exploitation poster art that
was included on the disc. The poster
for Ring Of Terror popped up -- it featured a 60s-type
line drawing, depicting a man opening
up a casket inside a mausoleum.
There was a hand emerging from the
casket with a big ring on its finger.
I was hooked. I’ve always
felt that cemeteries are among the
creepiest and most interesting settings
for horror films. Obviously, I had
to see Ring Of Terror.
Alpha recently released a budget
DVD of this rare film. I took the
$5 plunge and I’m glad I did.
This is one odd and entertaining
movie.
The whole thing starts out very
Ed Wood-esque. As the film’s
66 minutes unfold, we’re treated
to some great establishing cemetery
shots. We soon meet the host/narrator,
who has a speaking quality that
is very similar to the mighty Criswell.
Very nice. Our story begins...
Lewis Moffitt is a freshman at “State
University” and he’s
studying medicine. He looks like
a middle aged dad. According to
Lewis’ girlfriend Betty and
fellow medical school frat pledges
(?!), he fears nothing. He can withstand
live autopsies during his surgery
classes and kill bothersome rattlesnakes
with only a stick and some stompin’.
However, we soon learn that Lewis
has a deep rooted fear, which stems
from a screwed up childhood experience.
While Lewis dodges cruel insults
from his friends and rejection from
Betty, the film somehow winds up
at the frat’s initiation barbecue.
From there, Lewis must face his
pent-up fears via a trip to the
local cemetery...
Sound boring? If you’re in
the right mindset, it’s really
not. Ring Of Terror hooked me in with its strange charm
and happenings. We’ve got
spooky cemeteries, kinda screwed
up plot/character motivations, and
Lewis and his fellow pledges --
the biggest group of dorks you’re
ever likely to encounter on film.
Whatever it was, I liked it.
AUDIO AND VIDEO
Not bad at all. Aside from a few
video blips and scratches, this
was a very nice print and transfer.
Nice clear audio too. Probably one
of the better Alphas DVDs that I’ve
seen so far. Bravo.
EXTRAS
We’ve got an Alpha cover gallery
and a beat up, but enjoyable, trailer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s probably just my odd
taste in films (and low expectations),
but I can’t help it. Ring
Of Terror was pretty interesting
and the nice Alpha DVD makes it
an easy one to recommend. |
Our host
Hot dogs in a 'barrel
Nerd alert
Lewis in the mausoleum
|
