This gory prequel captures the wild, anything-can-happen spirit of the original FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, even reproducing the first film's memorable closing shot. It avoids feeling like a mere rerun, however, by cleverly taking place nearly 100 years ago, around the turn of the century on the Texas-Mexico border. There a legendary outlaw gang, husband-and-wife evangelists, a village executioner's runaway daughter and real-life macabre author Ambrose Bierce (Parks), their assorted posses and pursuers wind up at the raucous, timeless, vampire-run saloon that ties these flicks together. Midway through, the motley characters must forget their quarrels and fight ferociously for their lives after the hideous bloodsuckers drop their disguises and begin to feast. The origin of one of FROM DUSK TILL DAWN's most memorable characters is revealed--even though actress Salma Hayek is replaced by unknown lookalike Celi--and fans of this series will drink it up, as well other undead westerns like SUNDOWN: THE VAMPIRE IN RETREAT.