Horror fans felt a loss this past year with the passing of
director George Romero. Romero was the creator of a genre left untapped in the
field of horror, the zombie movie. Sure there had been zombies in the past but
those were just people that seemed hypnotized to do the bidding of someone
else. With his film NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD Romero ushered in the zombie film
into undiscovered territory, flesh eating mindless creatures who could only be
stopped when their brains were incapacitated. That style of zombie has carried
on ever since finally resting with the popular TV series THE WALKING DEAD. But
Romero was the one who began it all.
He started with that first film and then carried it forward
with the release of DAWN OF THE DEAD, a still immensely popular film. But there
was a ten year gap between those two films. Sure, MARTIN was in there but what
about the rest of that time? Fans know but few others. Arrow Video has taken steps
to make sure that his legacy as well as the films he made in between are not
forgotten with this release, aptly titled BETWEEN NIGHT AND DAWN.
Romero and his motley band of renegade Pittsburgh film
makers actually did create a few more movies after NIGHT. They weren’t near as
popular and chances are that’s why he returned to the genre he was best at,
horror. Until now those movies were rare to find. Some were released on video
by Anchor Bay years ago but nothing definitive or well produced versions have
been available until this release. Included in the set are three films: THERE’S
ALWAYS VANILLA, SEASON OF THE WITCH and THE CRAZIES.
THERE’S ALWAYS VANILLA is an attempt and a comedic
relationship film. It works on some levels but not on others. Chris (Raymond
Bradley), a session musician, returns to his roots in Pittsburgh where he
literally bumps into Lynn (Judith Ridley), a model and wannabe actress. They
hit it off and move in together. While Lynn supports them Chris begins work on
the book he always intended to write. When Lynn becomes pregnant their lives
together take a turn for the worse.
The movie is filled with experimental styles and techniques
and shows Romero trying to branch out. In the end the movie isn’t that great
but it does show that independent film making look and tries to come up with
something original. It’s interesting to watch but odds are not something most
will revisit.
SEASON OF THE WITCH (aka JACK’S WIFE) is Romero trying to
take on a different kind of horror. This time around we’re in the world of the
suburban housewife. Bored with little to do and married to a man who spends
most of his time at work Joan (Jan Mitchell) finds herself with her best friend
at the home of a woman she met, a self-professed witch who dabbles in tarot
cards as well. Intrigued she picks up a book on witchcraft and the next thing
you know she’s bought candles, cups and more accoutrements as well.
Her daughter is involved with a college professor named
Gregg (Raymond Bradley again). After a confrontation with him Joan soon begins
having an affair with him. Eventually this road she’s chosen will take her down
a dark path to things best left unsaid.
The film is better than the first one of the set but still
tends to lean towards the experimental style with various camera angles and
lenses. The camerawork isn’t terrible but shows the problems associated with
most small independent films, a definite lack of experience and washed out
coloring in some parts. All that being said this one is worth catching to see
the development of Romero as a director.
The last film in the set is THE CRAZIES. I will say that
this one got a release from Blue Underground a few years ago that offered a
decent presentation according to fans. Not having seen that version I will say
that Arrow has done a remarkable job with this one.
The story here is pure Romero with a small Pennsylvania town
suddenly in the crosshairs of a military quarantine. It seems the town has had
a chemical released into it that will turn the most mild mannered citizen into
a crazed killer. White containment suited military personnel roam the streets
rounding up the locals in an attempt to contain the virus and not have it
spread.
Among this group is a set of friends who fear the government
will simply round everyone up and kill them off. With none of them showing
symptoms they set out to escape the town as well as avoid being killed by the
military.
The movie offers a conspiracy styled story that if you
stretched it enough could fit with the whole NIGHT film as a cause of what
brought the zombies to life. Except that these people are alive. Once more the
cinematography isn’t major motion picture style but as with the last film you
can see the changes in how Romero was progressing. The story itself is superb
and plays into the fears most people have of a government willing to sacrifice
an entire town in an effort to keep their secrets hidden.
While these films may not be the mainstream styled feature
most are used to they are notable in that they show the progression of Romero
as a film maker. His later films did indeed carry that highly stylized look
that Hollywood films had but few film makers begin that way. They also show an
originality that few Hollywood films possess, offering stories that are not the
usual fare. Oddly enough more films like these have been made since their
original release using similar styles and stories. They are now considered
those quirky, offbeat indie films that are praised so often.
Arrow has done an amazing job with these offering them in
the cleanest and clearest versions ever seen. If that’s not enough the extras
included here are insane. They include a limited edition 60 page booklet
featuring new writing on the films by Kat Ellinger, Kier-La Janisse and Heather
Drain. For THERE’S ALWAYS VANILLA you get a brand new audio commentary by
Travis Crawford, AFFAIR OF THE HEART: THE MAKING OF a new documentary with
interviews of the cast and crew, DIGGING UP THE DEAD THE LOST FILMS OF GEORGE
A. ROMERO an archive interview with Romero, a location gallery with audio
commentary by Romero historian Lawrence DeVincentz, a memorabilia gallery and
the original trailer.
SEASON OF THE WITCH extras are an alternate extended version
of the film, brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford, WHEN ROMERO MET DEL
TORO a conversation between director Guillermo del Toro and Romero, THE SECRET
LIFE OF JACK’S WIFE an archive interview with actress Jan White, alternate
opening titles, a memorabilia gallery and the original trailer.
THE CRAZIES extras are a brand new audio commentary track by
Travis Crawford, ROMERO WAS HERE: LOCATING THE CRAZIES a guided tour of Evans
City, PA used in the movie by Romero historian Lawrence DeVincentz, CRAZY FOR
LYNN LOWRY featuring cult star Lynn Lowry discussing her early career including
her role in the film, a Q&A with Lynn Lowry filmed at the 2016 Abertoir
Film Festival, an audio interview with producer Lee Hessel, behind the scenes
footage with optional commentary by DeVincentz, alternate opening titles, image
galleries and trailers & TV spots.
If you’re a fan of Romero this is a must have for your
collection to be complete. If you’re just discovering him this is a good way to
learn more about his earlier works. And for the sake of posterity, Arrow has
shown they continue to do amazing work.
Click here to order.
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