Messiah of Evil

Messiah of Evil is a 1973 horror film. Also known as Dead People, it's a surreal experience with not much in the way of hero/heroine or plot development and no clear idea of exactly what's happened once it's over. A woman goes to a small town on the beach looking for her artist Father. She cannot find him. The town is plagued with zombie-type vampire creatures who are waiting for the return of the dark stranger at the time of the blood red moon. The dark stranger last appeared as a member of the Donner Party. If you like atmosphere, you'll find it here.

It stars Marianna Hill (from Star Trek: The Original Series), Royal Dano (The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao) and Elisha Cook, Jr. (Star Trek: TOS)

DVD Talk recommends it saying, "With its odd approach Messiah of Evil collects a gallery of creepy moments. It's simply more interesting than most genre efforts of the early 70's, when Hammer films had lost their way and Hollywood horrors were wasting our time with two-headed transplants and campy vampire tales." Weird Wild Realm isn't as fond of it but does call it "almost stylish in its awfulness rather than merely awful."