I recently watched the Spanish film 🇪🇸 The Hanging Woman, aka Beyond the Living Dead (1973) on Tubi. The storyline follows a man who arrives at an estate to claim his inheritance after his long-lost relative was found dead hanging in a tree. He encounters cults, curses, and zombies while attempting to gain his riches. The question arises: Can the inheritance be worth the mayhem he'll have to overcome?
Directed by José Luis Merino (Crime Story), the film stars Stelvio Rosi (Anaconda), Maria Pia Conte (The Arena), Dyanik Zurakowska (The Destructors), Gérard Tichy (Doctor Zhivago), and Carla Mancini (The Bird with the Crystal Plumage).
This is a somewhat uneven addition to the zombie genre that takes a while to build momentum, but the payoff at the end makes it worthwhile. The main character's resemblance to Chuck Norris adds a layer of unintentional humor to the action scenes. An infamous skeleton shooting scene had me laughing off my chair. The film's settings, backdrops, and props create a perfect atmosphere. While kills are scarce initially, the well-crafted corpses and eerie atmosphere compensate. The zombies feature solid makeup and an authentic feel. The storyline, though somewhat cliche, remains enjoyable, and the action-packed, worthwhile ending makes the journey fulfilling.
In conclusion, The Hanging Woman is a somewhat uneven addition to the zombie genre, but its worthwhile elements make it a must-see. I'd score it a 6/10 and strongly recommend it.
