Zombie Flesh Eaters [Blu-ray]

...is the ominous opening line for perennial gut muncher and all-round Italian trend setter 'Zombie' (aka 'Zombie Flesh Easters' / 'Zombi 2') - and what an opening it is. The big league (well, 'ish') calling card for future horror directing royalty Lucio Fulci delivers expertly choreographed gore that excels with an uneasy, dread filled tone - the movie surely is the aces and deserves the praise it has so weirdly garnered over the years.When an abandoned boat drifts into the New York Hudson, it is quickly boarded by two harbour patrolmen. When one of the men meets his fate by a non-too welcome inhabitant, things start to get 'icky'. With his body shipped to the morgue, it appears the boat belongs to the missing father of Anne Bowles (Tisa Farrow), unsurprisingly bereft as to why her father isn't doing his usual Captain Birdseye impression. Hooking up with snoopy journalist Peter West (Ian McCulloch), they both learn that Anne's pop suffered from a strange illness whilst conducting research on the Caribbean island of Matul and within no time at all, the duo are hightailing it over there in an effort to find out what in the wild world of sports is going on. Problem is, a passion for the truth may be their undoing when they descend upon the island to discover another researcher, doctor David Menard (Richard Johnson) who has been dabbling in the phenomenon of "zombie reanimation" - setting in motion a cataclysmic chain of events involving the dead rising from their graves, looking decidedly hungry for human flesh, organs and whatever gooey body part they can get their mangy chompers on.Written by Elisa Briganti and the ever awesome Dardano Sacchetti - 'Zombie' isn't in the same league as director Fulci's subsequent 'Gates of Hell' trilogy but don't let that stop you. From the pitch perfect tone (foreboding and atmospheric) to the wonderful sound design (the horrid moaning of the undead permeates the audio as the tension begins to mount) and Lucio's own measured direction - I can see why this one has stood the test of time as the splatter connoisseurs go-to movie. Inventive set pieces (lordy be, that shark!), crazily shocking make-up effects (lordy be, that eye!) and to be fair, solid acting from the entire cast (lordy be, that director cameo!) making sure 'Zombie' is the gooey gift that keeps on giving. Shudder present the movie with a sterling transfer and exceptionally vibrant audio - ensuring you hear every shriek, every gunshot and every tear of flesh. Fulci's movies have this weird, dark dreamlike vibe that stays with you long after the stop button is pressed and even though 'Zombie' has an old fashioned, knockabout island adventure feel to it never takes away the much darker elements of the screenplay. Highly recommended.

Now obviously you have heard the stories about this film from first being released in the 1970s in the cinema, deemed so strong and gruesome that they had to hand out sick bags (within good reason too) then the BBFC got hold of it, Banned it for years and then released it cut to ribbons. Then in the 2000s they re-released it uncut but still shaving a couple of secs from it, Now the new generation has reared its head from the grave and Arrow has re-released this vintage horror classic, FULLY UNCUT with a fantastic new transfer. If you want to see how the film originally looked, check out the original trailer that was used for the Vipco release, BIG DIFFERENCE! The film actually looks very crisp and there is an occasional grain but that to me adds to the film. I'm sure you know the story of the actual film so i don't need to explain that. The zombies are genuinely creepy and scary unlike nowadays, The skull like covers covered in maggots and worms sends shiver down your spine and how relentless they are to get their next meal is chilling. No matter what happens, they just keep moving towards their target, even the ones that can't see their prey. Walking like they are in ancient slumber until they get their target and their voracious appetite proves they are a force to be reckoned. The gruesome special effects are amazing considering this was a rip off of Dawn of the Dead, but somehow better what was shown in George A. Romero's horror masterpiece and Zombie Flesheaters (originally called just Zombie) is as much a masterpiece as Dawn of the Dead. It's done right and and to think the only really cheesy moment was the topless diving that leads to one of the films numerous and notoriously remembered scenes. Word of advice, anyone coming to this for the first time, BE WARNED this is definitely not for the squeamish or faint hearted and also don't watch this after eating. It's gory, it's gruesome and it's a great movie. Also if this movie doesn't make your blood run cold then believe me the ending will. Zombie Flesheaters look amazing on Blu-ray and easily worthy of any horror fans collection, just remember to have a bucket next to you!