Albert Band (1924–2002)

An underrated spooky little film that sees Robert Kraft (Richard Boone) becoming the new chairman of a city graveyard. His first act is to seek the replacement of elderly, long-serving cemetery caretaker, Scotsman Andy McKee (Theodore Bikel). Robert becomes drawn to the strange cemetery map in McKee's storage building and soon discovers that people die when he marks them with a pin on the map. Are the deaths mere coincidence or is there something more mysterious and sinister at play? A guilt-ridden Kraft sets out to uncover the truth. Stylishly directed by Albert Band who uses the graveyard location effectively with an eye for a spooky shot. He develops a nightmarish feel and the occasional proto-psychedelic effect as Kraft seems to become overwhelmed by the power of the strange cemetery map. The script by Louis Garfinkle is good and develops the mystery nicely and only comes slightly to grief when it delivers an ineffective "Scooby-Doo" style ending. Richard Boone is good in the lead role delivering a realistic and haunted performance. Theodore Bikel is equally good as the caretaker heading for an unwanted retirement. His Scottish accent is first class - far better than the usual faux-Scottish efforts that are committed to film. "I Bury the Living" is an intriguing little mystery and far superior to the normal b-movie horror efforts from the era.… (meer)