A dubbed Mexican black and white horror doesn't sound like it will be a great film, however in this case the film rises above its origin to become genuinely creepy and unsetting. A group of archeologists steal a voodoo idol and are killed in turn by the voodoo priest. It is the method of the killing that gives the film it's strange creepiness. Each of the men killled are turned into small, three feet dolls which are then animated as killed zombies. Their expressions are frozen and they silently kill their victims with knives. These doll people are very powerful and provide shudder, particularly as they look just like the actors who played them while alive. Children must have been used to play the doll people as they move very convincingly. The voodoo priest hypnotises those who try to stop him and commands other zombies to do his bidding. These zombies have excellent make-up and being black and white the film feels many years older than it actually is.
It is true that the dubbing isn't brilliant and the acting sometimes wooden, however these do not detract from the film. The film moves at a quick pace and the murderous possessed doll people are introduced quickly providing momentum for the film. The film ends in a very similar way to the preceding year's CITY OF THE DEAD (aka HORROR HOTEL) with the power of christianity being stronger than voodoo. In many respects the film is technically flawed but these are overcome and accepted by the viewier relishing the soulless deeds of the doll people, who most viewers I am sure will never forget. 8/10.
Special Thanks to Mark Coyle for this Movie Review.