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1964
Last man on Earth/The Devil's Messenger double feature Digiview Entertainment DVD
Ever since I saw the original House on Haunted Hill one Halloween night when I was very young, I have been a fan of Vincent Price. So after seeing the Omega Man,and that cinematic abortion that was I am Legend with Will Smith, I had to see the first film based on the classic Richard Matheson 1954 novel I Am Legend. Found this at Walmart in their selection of $1 DVDs.
It is 1968 and Vincent Price spends his days going out to get supplies and killing all the vampires he can find. And his nights walled up in his house hoping the vampires can't get in and kill him. Filmed in Rome this black and white film has a very dream like feel and look to it. Mr Price does a great job in the lead. Which is good cause the film is pretty much a one man show. While the film does change some stuff from the novel so far it is the closest to the novel any film has gotten. The cinematography really helps capture the loneliness that Vincent is suffering from. One day he sees a dog while out making his rounds. He chases after the dog and finds out there is other people out there . They are infected but haven't become vampires thanks to some vaccine. One of them goes back to his house with him. And when the others of her group show up she tries her best to keep them from killing Vincent. But it doesn't work. These other semi infected people finally impale Vincent with a spear on the altar in a church. With his dying breath he declares himself the last man on Earth. Last Man on Earth gets a B.
