One of the best performances on earth

Rated: n/a (mild violence) | Review date: 13-Oct-2009

Horror meister Vincent Price stars in 1964′s The Last Man on Earth, based on Richard Matheson’s novel “I Am Legend.” Price stars as the lone survivor, scientist Dr. Robert Morgan, of a mysterious airborne plague that has spread across the world, even affecting his family. We’re shown that he’s been living in this post-apocalyptic world for roughly 3 years, mostly trying ferociously to kill off all of the infected.

Most of Price’s dialogue in the first half of the film is through his poetic narration. A better actor could not have been chosen to be the main focus of an entire movie. We witness Dr. Morgan go through just about every emotional stage imaginable. He manages to keep his composure though, and tries to preserve his dignity as a human. Price’s evil grin, haunting laugh, and velvet voice add to the overall atmosphere of the dark tale.

Through the second half of the film we see a flashback describing what has led up to the current situation. Essentially those infected have turned into what are referred to as vampires, though they also feature zombie characteristics as well. The infected torment Dr. Morgan, even calling him out by name. Soon enough Morgan runs into an apparent human survivor, Ruth Collins (Franca Bettoia). It’s near this point Morgan believes to have found a cure, but will it matter?

The film is a true classic. It’s by far one of the best disaster movies out there. What stands out perhaps the most, is that this horror gem manages to be creepy and dark while showing very little blood and gore. It’s a true testament that a great horror movie can be made without bells a whistles. I am personally a fan of the recent I Am Legend Will Smith rendition, however there’s just something about Price’s performance and the bare bones attitude of this film that puts it in a class of its own.

Rating: 7 out of 7

Watch the full movie online

IMDb

  • Share/Bookmark