Santo in the Treasure of Dracula

To possibly commemorate Great Moments in Resurrection History, filmmakers have brought Lucha Libre legend El Santo back to life in a way that he has never been seen before. His 1960s cult classic, Santo in the Treasure of Dracula, is being re-released with missing scenes restored, and rather than simply battling Dracula, the new version has him wrestling nude female vampires, according to a recent Reuters news report by Cyntia Diaz.

While SLAM! Wrestling has not yet been privy to advance copies of the new version, we have seen the original. Directed by Rene Cardona, El Santo plays a scientist who invents a time machine, which he says would work better with a female volunteer to try out first. The brave Luisa (played by Noelia Noel) steps up to the challenge, and she ends up back in time a century or so, during the time of Dracula. In an entertaining story where Lucha Libre meets elements of Doctor Who, El Santo must journey back in time to save Luisa from the rudo Dracula.

More than the story, the cinematography of the film is as beautiful as an El Santo costume and mask. Shot by award-winning Mexican horror cinematographer Raul Martinez Solares, who not only shot other El Santo films, but over 265 films in his lifetime, Santo in the Treasure of Dracula pays visual tribute to the classic Universal Horror films from Hollywood in the 1930s.

Stay tuned for a full review of the new version, entitled El Vampiro y el Sexo, when it becomes available. We are issuing open challenges to Hernandez, Sarita, and Rosita to watch it with us, if they dare (since TNA doesn't have to deal with a lame PG rating on SPIKE).

-- Ranjan Chhibber, PhD

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