Review of Oasis of the Zombies (1982) by Peter H — 30 Oct 2012

Mill Creek's 50 Movie Pack: Chilling Classics Reviews.

Jesus "Jess" Franco's THE TREASURE OF THE LIVING DEAD/ OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES/ THE OASIS OF THE LIVING DEAD/ BLOODSUCKING NAZI ZOMBIES [1982]: From prolific Spanish Cult moviemaker Jesus "Jess" Franco came back in 1982 an unbelievably PAINFUL zombie movie. Franco who was behind some cult gems like VAMPYROS LESBOS [1971] has made what I would like to call HISTORIES WORST ZOMBIE MOVIE! Consider that the concept involved Nazi Zombies its mind numbing how this film can be so DULL.

Titled and issued under every bloody title like THE TREASURE OF THE LIVING DEAD for one, THE OASIS OF THE LIVING DEAD & OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES (which is what I'm going to call this film in this review) and my all time Favourite BLOODSUCKING NAZI ZOMBIES. Franco was humble for the sake of prolific schlock name to hide behind pseudonyms of A.M Frank for direction & A.L Mariaux for screen writer. Considering that in the case of the film makes him an Anti- Auteur, the viewers' interest in the film evaporates faster that water in the Sahara desert!

PLOT: During World War Two in some undisclosed North African Nation, A legion the German Afrika Korps transporting stolen gold is attacked by a Platoon of British Soldiers in a remote Oasis. As result the oasis becomes haunted by the living dead. For some reason in 1980, 1981, or 1982 various groups go after the gold and are set upon by zombies.

THOUGHTS: As a horror film it simply isn't scary, as a zombie film it doesn't focus of the drama the characters and also it isn't as gory as some notorious living dead epics, and as a movie it isn't ENTERTAINING! With pacing issues and engaging plot development, the unnecessary & over use of the zoom lens, the lack of unease, dread, and tension that make a good zombie film excellent. Also added to the mix is officially the goofiest zombie ever committed to celluloid. For an 82 minute movie it feels like you have spent a month lost in the desert and extremely desperate to find traces of human civilization. My recommendation for this film is only for Bad movie buffs (such as myself) and as for Zombie Fans stick to DEAD SNOW [2009] for a good Nazi Zombie film, 20%.