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Zombie Flesh Eaters [1980]


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Leader in "living dead" genre
Review date: 2007-10-26 Rating: 6 out of 10

I enjoy watching zombie movies and I'd heard a lot about this one before I managed to get my hands on a copy. Some people had told me it was a classic of low budget filmmaking, others had warned me it was an absolute steaming pile of zombie pap. Now, having finally watched it, I don't think it's either of these things.

The acting is bland in general, with the exception of veteran British actor Richard Johnson (looking a bit out of place, but having a great time hamming it up as the slightly mad Dr. Menard) and smirky Roger Moore look-alike Ian McCulloch. Al Cliver isn't too bad as a tough-guy tourist caught up in the zombie infestation, Tisa Farrow (yes, that's Mia's little sis) drifts through much of the movie looking distant and dazed, and Auretta Gay (they must have given her a hard time at school) takes her top off a lot but spends the rest of the time either over- or under-acting.

The plot isn't much to speak of but it holds the attention, and considering the directors other horror movies, it's a miracle there actually is one. The ending annoyingly blunts any disturbing edge the film may have built up towards the end, and drags the movie fully into the realm of cheesiness. The lack of enough real tension and suspense among the pumping blood, punctured eyeballs and blazing gunfire is pretty disappointing too. That said, the action scenes are genuinely exciting (despite being kinda slow in coming) and the climatic sequence in Dr. Menard's hospital with the invading zombies vs. humans is quite enjoyable.

Overall, I found that all this was not quite as horrifying as reputation suggests, probably because of it's age, lack of tension, or my stamina to being scared/disgusted. The memorable parts a battle between a zombie and a shark, and a graphic tracheotomy, (to name just two) easily make it worth the rental, plus some good special effects really caught my interest. Just don't expect much intelligence here that you'd find in Romero's undead flicks. On the whole, it's not brilliant, but it fits respectfully in this genre.


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Reviews


The 'Alien' of Zombie movies
Review date: 2007-08-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

Most zombies movies have very little plot, extremely poor atmosphere and terrible looking zombies. Surprisingly this is not the case here.

Fulci, who even in his poor films at least manages atmosphere, directs possibly the best non-Romero zombie film. Starting with a short zombie attack in New York harbour the film then slows to set the scene...

One woman must sail to an island to find her father. The island is apparantly 'cursed' and we know what that means... Zombies. There is a slow long build up including a short Zombie vs Shark fight, until it all kicks off for the last 40 mins of Zombie infestation.

The zombies look great, the music is actually very good and it's extremely well shot. As always some acting is poor and the story is a little, well, thin. But if you're going to 'zombie flesh eaters' you should expect that.

This is an absolulte must have for any zombie fan.

Classic Zombies
Review date: 2007-08-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

The zombies in this film are probably my favourite type (for the way they move, the noises they make, the large number of worms crawling out of their putrefying skulls, the way they burst out of the ground, I could go on...). The storyline (there isn't one) doesn't matter - it's the gore that counts! This is a Zombie classic.

brilliant masterpiece!
Review date: 2007-07-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

if you are talking to someone who has never heard of lucio fulci ask them
to see "zombie 2" it is a horror masterpiece .i remember renting this in
the 80s & then it was banned ,consigned to the vaults as a video nasty.
now this 2 dvd set is not only the widscreen,remastered version ,there is a
2nd bonus disc about actors ,effects etc.i know its about £25.00 but i personally think that if you like horror movies you MUST have this! from the moment when the "ghost ship" drifts into new york harbour & the patrol
find maggots & rotting flesh on board the terror begins ! if you havent
seen this gem before now is the time !

a horror classic
Review date: 2007-06-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

Forget the criticisms about dubbing or budget. This film is a masterpiece. It stands comfortably next to Murnau's Nosferatu. And like any masterpiece you never get tired of watching it. Even the music score is part of the art. Marvellous horror imagery. Best seen in widescreen.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Richard Johnson
Al Cliver
Ian McCulloch
Tisa Farrow
Stefania D'Amario

Creators:
Tisa Farrow (Primary Contributor)
Richard Johnson (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Dead of Night
Manufacturer: Dead of Night
EAN: 5030462050027
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2004-09-27
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Running time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1980-07-18
Language: English (Original Language)

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