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Re-Animator Directed by Stuart Gordon An instant classic upon its release two decades ago, Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator may stand out as the single greatest horror film of the 1980s. This early entry in the blood and guts sweepstakes is gross, scary, and hilarious. Gordon and his actors were in complete control of their craft when the film was made – the over-the-top film has its tongue planted firmly in its cheek. It's a genuinely witty work. One of the greatest mysteries surrounding Re-Animator is how Jeffrey Combs failed to become a major box office horror star in the Karloff/Lugosi/Price mode. Combs' performance as mad Dr. Herbert West, who's determined to revive the dead no matter what the cost, is, without exaggeration, Oscar worthy! Combs' brilliance begins in the opening scene. When caught with a corpse that's literally exploding, he's accused of murder. Speaking directly into the camera, Combs, as West, intones: “I offered him life!!!” The line is said with a steadfast determination and a giddiness that's downright creepy! Combs understands West, the madman who believes in what he's doing. With his voice and his eyes, this great actor conveys both the insanity of West and the absurdities of the film's premise. Over the next 20 years, Combs appeared in many genre films, a number for Gordon. Though highly recognizable to hardcore horror buffs, his name alone is not enough to fill a theatre. Pity. Re-Animator offers another magnificent performance from the late David Gale, who died of heart disease five years after making the film. As crazy Dr. Carl Hill, Gale gives Combs quite a run for his money. These two seasoned pros obviously had a blast stealing scenes from each other, and the audience is invited to join in on their fun. Gale spends half his screen time as a disembodied head in a dish, lusting after topless, terrified Megan (Barbara Crampton). Scenes in which Hill's head – blood dripping out of the open bottom of his neck – licks Megan's bare breasts, are shocking. You won't know whether to laugh, cringe, or vomit. Re-Animator is unlike any film you've ever seen, a wholly original work. Clocking in at a scant 86 minutes, Re-Animator moves like lightning. It also rises above its low-budget origins. Cheaply shot but not cheap looking, its humor is subtle and sophisticated, and its scares are real. Anchor Bay celebrates this classic with a new, two disc special edition. The letterboxed print is superb and uncut. There are tons of extras. Director Gordon provides one commentary track, while producer Brian Yuzna, joined by stars Bruce Abbott, Combs and Crampton, give another. Gordon and Yuzna, obviously close friends and committed horror fans, appear together for an onscreen chat in which they reminisce about the making of the film. Composer Richard Band and Tony Timpone, the King of Fangoria, discuss the film in separate on-camera interviews. There are trailers, TV spots, photo galleries, bios and storyboards. Believe it or not, there's more. “ Re-Animator Resurrectus” is a wonderful, insightful, feature-length documentary on the making of the film and a look back at its historic context. Gordon and all the surviving leads, including Gordon's wife, Carolyn Purdy Gordon, who has a small role in the film, appear. The doc offers fascinating info on the Gordons and their beginnings at the Organic Theatre Company in Chicago and how the Re-Animator project found its way to them. The film's genesis is explored: did you know that the six Herbert West stories written by HP Lovecraft were originally perceived by Gordon as mini-series for PBS? When public television reacted in “horror” at the subject matter, a film classic was born! Bravo to Anchor Bay for giving us this wonderful two disc set!!!!! by David Alexander Nahmod |
Classic treatment for a classic movie
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