MysteryThrillerHorror

I Bury the Living

- Out of a Time-Rotted Tomb Crawls an Unspeakable Horror!

A newly appointed cemetery chairman believes that, merely by inserting a black plot-marking pin into a wall-sized map of the cemetery, he can cause the deaths of that plot's owner.

Release Date : 1958-07-01

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Maxim Productions

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Robert Kraft

Original Name : Richard Boone

Gender : Male

Character Name : Andy McKee

Original Name : Theodore Bikel

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jess Jessup

Original Name : Herbert Anderson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lt. Clayborne

Original Name : Robert Osterloh

Gender : Male

Character Name : George Kraft

Original Name : Howard Smith

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ann Craig

Original Name : Peggy Maurer

Gender : Female

Character Name : Henry Trowbridge

Original Name : Russ Bender

Gender : Male

Character Name : Stuart Drexel

Original Name : Glen Vernon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Elizabeth Parrish Drexel

Original Name : Lynette Bernay

Gender : Female

Character Name : Bill Honegger

Original Name : Ken Drake

Gender : Male

Character Name : Charles Bates Sr.

Original Name : Matt Moore

Gender : Male

Character Name : William Isham

Original Name : Cyril Delevanti

Gender : Male

Reviews

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

No needles, just pins! I Bury the Living is directed by Albert Band and written by Louis Garfinkle. It stars Richard Boone, Theodore Bikel, Howard Smith, Herbert Anderson, Robert Osterloh and Peggy Maurer. Music is scored by Gerald Fried and cinematography by Frederick Gately. Robert Kraft (Boone) is appointed as the custodian of Immortal Hills Cemetery. On the wall in the cemetery office is a large map that details the plots that are taken by the dead, and the plots that are reserved by other town members. These are signified by black (taken) and white (reserved) pins. When Kraft accidentally places a black pin on the names of living people, he is stunned to find they end up dead shortly after. Coincidence? The title and the fabulous poster art that accompanies it has lured in many a horror fan, only for them to be disappointed with the end product since it's more a mystery thriller with potentially supernatural overtones. A slimline and modest budgeted pic, it's a film that sadly doesn't make the most of the premise at its core. However, there's still a very enjoyable movie here, one that thrives on an uneasy atmosphere and showcases some neat visual film noirish, touches. Shot in stark black and white to perfectly emphasise the shadowy tension in the plotting, director Band deftly lets the office cemetery map become the dominant force of the piece, marrying it up with the ever fretful Kraft's mental being. These scenes with just Kraft in the cold isolated office are the films best. Though the outer shots in the cemetery, with tombstones and wrought iron fencing, are suitably eerie too. Boone leads off with a very good performance as a man trying to comprehend the situation whilst doing the right thing, and music and photography is well worthy of our eyes and ears. It could have gone a darker route with Boone's protagonist, while the resolution has understandably infuriated more than it has pleased, but for its unique feel and worthy tech credits it's a better than average time filler. 7/10 DVD viewed was French Region 2 release from Bach Movies. Good print