DESERT OF BLOOD is another DIY vampire film, but this one has a lot more going for it than most. To begin with the filmmakers behind the project actually raised enough cash to genuinely qualify the film as low-budget, they hired a cinematographer competent in shooting on video, shot on location in Mexico and used a non-union cast that could actually act (for the most part). So, what’s not to like? We’ll let’s see…

Lets just jump right out and state something, if you’re gonna get someone naked in a horror film, you might as well do it early. DESERT OF BLOOD takes the cake for stripping one of it’s actresses down in less than 60 seconds. That’s right fanboys. In under a minute we’re introduced to Scandinavian beauty Annika Svedman, topless sunning herself on a beat up old truck somewhere south of the border. Svedman plays Amy and Amy’s boyfriend is looking for buried treasure. What he finds instead is a gigantic metal cross and a box. But when he removes the cross, he awakens Diego (Justin Quinn) a soulful kind of vamp whose been buried for the past 35 years. You’d think this would be the end of the twosome but that’s where Director Don Henry offers his first twist on tradition. He offs the boyfriend, but recognizes the assets Svedman brings to the table, so, Diego turns her into a bloodsucker and happily we keep her around for the later acts.

Ultimately what Diego is looking for is his true love Sarita (Yvonne Rawn) and for bloody revenge on those who buried him all the many years ago. When he discovers that those who entombed him have all passed away, he seeks Sarita. But she is now old and frail and the shock causes her to have a stroke. Torn by these events, Diego begins to crave the blood of the innocent and now, no one in town is safe.

Next, were introduced to a trio of SoCal-type gals Heather, Maricela and Samantha (Natalie Horton, Brenda Romero and Tori White). Samantha, has a very interesting plan to achieve some kind of sensual overdosing that involves Belgian chocolate, the Hallelujah chorus, an orgasm and a photo of James Franco. This is a pretty funny bit and a gag in the film that pays off handsomely later. When Maricela gets word that her Aunt Sarita has suffered a stroke, the girls head off to Mexico to help out. But ultimately they’ll find themselves caught in a decades old story of love, loss and vengeance.

As I mentioned before, Writer/Director Don Henry has a knack for introducing themes, elements and characters early on that will have a recurrent, profound or whimsical role later on in the film. It’s a sign that Henry knows how to craft a story. DESERT OF BLOOD is definitely more drama than horror, more Telenova than terror. Folks looking for a really guttural dusty, western vampire tale would be better off looking up Robert Rodriguez or John Carpenter. Henry’s film is way more low-key and a lot more low-budget—especially in the effects department (in fact, the neck bite prosthetic used in the film, might even make more than one appearance). Really, the film’s strong suit is also its great weakness. It has a great story idea, but the film is all talk. Since that’s the case, it’s a good thing that the performances Henry elicits from his cast are pretty solid—especially for this caliber of motion picture—with highlights going to Quinn’s performance as the tortured Diego and Mike Dusi as his wannabe gangsta sidekick. Tori White who’s virtually a genre veteran having been in SÉANCE and CANDY STRIPERS (with Natalie Horton) also provides a few minor moments of comic relief—most involving the aforementioned sensual overload moment.

DESERT OF BLOOD is far more polished than the usual direct-to-video flicks that overflow from my mailbox on a monthly basis. It takes time to develop the story and it does right by its characters. It might not be the flashiest bloodsucking DVD to come along but it hits quite a few of the right marks. The look and feel is right on the money, but the film is too often begging for some more action to round out all the melodrama. Still, it’s a worthwhile journey to take and I’d be even more interested in seeing the character of Diego pop up again in another genre flick. After all, it’s hard to keep the undead down!