House of the Dead, also known as Alien Zone, is a sci-fi horror film released in 1978. The movie was directed by Sharron Miller, who also co-wrote the screenplay with James Bartruff. The story begins with a group of researchers, including Dr. Meyer (played by Burr DeBenning), who investigate paranormal activities in an old mansion on a remote island off the coast of California. The mansion is believed to be cursed by an ancient Indian burial ground, and the researchers plan to collect data to prove the existence of ghosts.
The team is made up of Dr. Meyerâs daughter, Laurel (played by Judith Novgrod), who is also a psychic; Tom (played by John Ericson), a skeptic; and his wife, Leona (played by Joanne Nail), a journalist. They arrive on the island and are greeted by the caretaker, Karl (played by Ivor Francis), who warns them of the dangers that lie ahead.
Once inside the mansion, the group begins to experience strange and unexplainable phenomena. Laurel senses the presence of ghosts, and Tom hears voices and sees visions from the past. Leona is determined to get the story of the haunted mansion, but she soon realizes that there is more to this place than just a simple ghost story.
As the night progresses, the group becomes increasingly terrified as they are stalked and attacked by a mysterious force. They begin to suspect that they are not alone on the island and that they are being hunted by an extraterrestrial life form.
The climax of the film occurs when the group comes face-to-face with their aggressor. They discover that the mansion is built on top of a portal to another dimension, and that they are now caught in the middle of a battle between two alien races.
The special effects in the movie are quite impressive, considering the filmâs low budget. The musical score by Richard Band adds to the eerie atmosphere and tension of the film. The performances by the cast are also commendable, especially the convincing portrayal of terrified researchers by Burr DeBenning and Joanne Nail.
Overall, House of the Dead is an entertaining sci-fi horror movie that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Although the filmâs plot is somewhat predictable and clichéd, it still manages to deliver a good dose of scares and thrills. Fans of classic horror movies will definitely appreciate this filmâs retro charm and low-budget, 70s vibe.
House of the Dead AKA Alien Zone is a 1978 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes.
