"Prequel" to the first From Dusk Till Dawn is set in Mexico in the early 1900's which begins with
a dream sequence of an execution by firing squad, of Ambrose Bierce(Michael Parks). Bierce,
an atheist and journalist-writer is an under appreciated author whom most people know only as the
man who wrote AN OCCURENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE. Most people remember this story only
because it was one of those famous stories used in the television series THE TWILIGHT ZONE.
Most people don't know it but the same story was adapted in an Alfred Hitchcock Presents
episode. Bierce's use in FROM DUSK TO DAWN 3 as a central character, is speculative as it
is a fiction of what happened when he crossed the border to Mexico during the revolution. This
part of Bierce's life is highly speculative as know one knows for sure what happened to him.
Gregory Peck played him in 1989 in the film OLD GRINGO. By the way Michael Parks
was in the first film as the Texas Ranger.
The story begins in 1913 Mexico during a hanging of a popular bandito, Johnny Madrid played by
Marco Leonardi.
Bierce is on his way to meet Pancho Villa when his stagecoach is set upon by Madrid and his men.
Madrid has kidnapped the hangman's beautiful daughter, Esmeralda (Ara Celi), with a little
help from Reece, a female outlaw from the U.S.. What? You didn't think he would escape the
hangman's noose, silly you. Bierce is left with a missionary couple to make their way to civilization.
They come upon the old temple which was introduced in the original film.
Of course that means the the temple will soon become the crossroad meeting place of all the
characters. The beautiful Sonia Braga who plays Quixtla welcomes all to this temple of drink
and whoring. The hangman and a local posse arrive looking for his daughter. Now everyone knows
by now that this place is run by vampires, right? Led by the high priestess Quixtla this place is a trap
for all the party goers. Quixtla targets Esmeralda, as the since Esmeralda is revealed to be the
half-human, half-vampire princess Santanico Pandemonium, whom the vampires want as their heir.
All the humans, as expected must join forces if they are to survive the night from the vicious
blood-suckers.
The film though not as good as the first movie is a far cry better than the second sequel. There is
a lot of good special effects and action in this film which has the same atmosphere of the first film.
I enjoyed this film especially since I am a horror movie buff. I found it hard to understand why they
would release it straight to video instead of giving it a chance at the boxoffice. The lack of major
boxoffice names attached to it was more than likely the reason. FROM DUSK TO DAWN 3
doesn't really have any scary, chilling stuff but if you have an evening where you want to get good
thrill then rent this film. It is worth the rental fee.
If nothing else this film sure gives an interesting twist to the the disappearance of Ambrose Bierce.
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