Mondo Esoterica - Leon Klimovsky Film Reviews

Born in Argentina, 1906, and originally trained as a dentist before becoming active in the film world, he moved to Spain in the 1950s where he soon found work as a director-for-hire, including writing and directing tasks on an adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo (1954) and in a variety of comedies. Despite his love of proper cinema, Klimovsky found himself permanently lodged in the exploitation relm and in the 1960s he was one of the first Spaghetti Western directors, lensing one of the earliest genre entries, Billy the Kid (1964), and going on to shoot several more over the next few years, alongside some more Italian war films, including Jack Palance vehicle, Hell's Brigade (1969). At the beginning of the 1970s he directed upcoming horror star Paul Naschy in his breakout film Werewolf Shadow (1971), although shooting a couple more low rent Westerns, he became known as a horror director, shooting Paul Naschy's later horror exploits Dr. Jekyll vs. the Werewolf (1972) and Vengeance of the Zombies (1973), as well as the Spanish giallo take A Dragonfly for Each Corpse (1974) and Night of the Living Dead twist, The People Who Own the Dark (1976). Eventually he retired in 1979 and in 1995 won an Honour Award from the Spanish Film Director Association. He died in Madrid in 1996.

Some confusion has arisen in recent years over just how many films Klimovsky actually shot, with various films credited to the director, emerging as actually being filmed by other directors. Although not known for his fancy direction or distinct style, he was always able to make the best of a low budget and provide solid direction in a wide variety of genres, and during his time as a director he worked alongside, and trained future euro-cult directors Enzo G. Castellari and Jess Franco.

Doctor Jekyll versus the Werewolf (1972) UK Mondo Macabro Region 0 DVD	A sucessfully unique twist on the Wolfman mythos courtesy of a strong script and decent production. Recommended to all Euro-cult fans looking for something new.
Some Dollars for Django (1966) UK C'est la Vie Region 2 DVD	An average Spaghetti Western. Good setting and a decent plot, but direction and soundtrack are average at best. Of interest to Euro-Western fans only.
Su le mani, cadavere! Sei in arresto (1971) Koch Media German Region 2 DVD	Nothing too original but a surprisingly well made film from Leon Klimovsky and starring Peter Lee Lawrence. Recommended to genre fans.
Werewolf Shadow (1971) UK Anchor Bay Region 0 DVD	A Paul Naschy Wolfman film, although the script is poor, the film looks good and is decently directed. Partially recommended film, don't expect too much and you should enjoy.

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