Don't Open the Window (1974)

"The dead don't walk around, except in very bad paperback novels." - George

aka: The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue
aka: Let Sleeping Corpses Lie
A couple of tourists inadvertently get involved with a zombie outbreak.
Starring: Ray Lovelock, Cristina Galbo, Arthur Kennedy, Aldo Massasso, Giorgio Trestini

Link to IMDB

While traveling the English countryside, George meets a lady named Edna and they happen to become traveling companions, but it's not long before they get waylaid in a small village. Things quickly get weird when Edna is attacked by a deranged man, who they just assume was a local loony.
But then Edna's sister, who lives nearby, also gets attacked and her husband is killed. This gets them all involved with the police when the local Inspector begins his investigation.

George                              Edna

Inspector

We know that zombies are responsible for the attacks, and they seem to have appeared when the government started testing an experimental "ultra sonic radiation" pesticide at a nearby farm. But the focus of the story is actually more on Edna and George being wrongly held accountable while the uncompromising Inspector tries to find the killer.

The Inspector is a real hard-ass, and he hates George and Edna because he considers them to be filthy hippies that probably worship Satan. While trying to prove their innocence, George and Edna discover the truth about the zombies, but no one is willing to hear their warnings since the Inspector is hunting them like two fugitives.



If you go into this movie expecting a traditional zombie outbreak, you're going to be very disappointed. The main plot emphasizes the fear and paranoia that can occur when there's a lack of understanding between people, and the zombies are just a catalyst that keeps the intensity of the situation feeling eerie and unpredictable.

When zombies attack

The final 30 minutes does deliver some zombie action as they begin to attack the village, but it doesn't overshadow the real conflict, which is between the humans that are just as eager to rip each other's heads off.

Although the tone is serious and feels grounded in reality, there are a few laughs to be had at some of the melodramatic acting and remarkable dialog. I also want to mention the good music here. The sound design in general was really well done and created a foreboding atmosphere.
There is some good gore too, but the movie doesn't try to sensationalize it.

If you're looking for a zombie movie that doesn't follow the standard formula, this one is definitely worth a watch if you don't mind a slower pace.


Does the movie deliver on the Don't...
0 out of 10
I don't recall any danger associated with windows... But to be fair, the alternative titles mentioned above are what the movie is better known as.

Be sure not to miss:
- The random streaker at the beginning.
- The owl at the hotel seems pretty cool.

Internet review:
"Possibly the most underrated zombie movie ever made." - Infofreak

Should I watch it?
Do it.

Where can I find it?
Here on YouTube.

Don't Open the Window gets...