Dead and Buried (1981)
The sheriff of a small town called Potters Bluff has to deal with a rash of murders and disappearing bodies. The sheriff, Dan Gillis, is trying to figure out who is killing and disfiguring strangers that happen to wander into town. If that weren’t enough it seems that the bodies of the dead disappear from their graves and are seen walking around town working at the gas station! Working with the local funeral home director, Dobbs, he begins to unravel the mysteries of Potters Bluff. But will he like what he finds? Is anything in the small town what it appears? I’m not going to spoil it for you, go watch this one now!
Like I said everyone who considers themselves a horror fan really needs to go out right now and buy this movie for their collection. It is one of the most unique takes on a zombie film that I’ve seen in a long time. Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge fan of the Romero films, but it is so awesome to see something different for a change. What really strikes me as strange is that this movie doesn’t get more love from the fans. The story is tight without any slow spots. It keeps the action moving and there is plenty of gore to keep fans happy. The characters are interesting, especially the great Jack Albertson, in his last film role, as the funeral director Dobbs. Plus the movie has one of the coolest twist endings that I’ve seen in a horror film. Albertson’s isn’t the only good performance. James Farentino, Melody Anderson, and Nancy Lock are all really good in their roles as well. Also look out for a pre Freddy Robert Englund in the role as a local.
When this movie comes up everyone always thinks of the one iconic scene with the needle to the eye of a helpless patient. While it is an amazing scene and only second to Fulci’s Zombie for eyeball mutilation it isn’t the only great effect. There is the crispy photographer hanging upside down in his VW bus, the hitchhiker with the bashed in head, and an unlucky fisherman. The only weak effect shot in the whole movie is the melting head (acid to the sinus cavity!), which of course is the only effect Stan Winston didn’t do. Still as a hole this movie will certainly please the gore hounds with lots of the red stuff.
The DVD that I’m reviewing is the Blue Underground 2 disc DVD set. The second disc is filled with some killer extras. Included are Stan Winston’s Dead and Buried EFX, which goes into great detail how they pulled off the effects. It is a long interview with the late Stan Winston and includes a detailed explanation of the iconic eyeball scene that is awesome. Also included is Robert Englund: An Early Work of Horror. He explains how he got the part, some fun stories from the set, and what it was like filming in the small town. He also discusses why he thinks the movie is still so popular. The final special feature is a discussion with “writer” Dan O’Bannon, who by his own admission didn’t do much with the script, except put his name on it. In spite of this he still has plenty to talk about. Including what he thinks is scary and what works for him as a horror movie. He does like to hear himself talk.
This is a great movie that is only enhanced by a wonderful 2nd disc full of cool extras. I highly recommend that everyone add this to his or her collection, you won’t be disappointed. For more information about this DVD (don’t forget to get the 2 disc set) go to the Blue Underground website at http://www.blue-underground.com/
3 ½ out of 4
reviewed by John Shatzer
© Copyright 2009 John Shatzer
