Made in 2007 this documentary is now making its way to
blu-ray via Synapse. Thank goodness they made the decision to do so, adding
several special items that will please fans of the film and those who made it.
As we learn via interview with director George Romero Warner
Brothers contacted him after the success of his film MARTIN concerning a
vampire in modern society. They had just acquired the rights to SALEM’S LOT and
wanted him to meet with author Stephen King about making a film adaptation. The
two met, became fast friends and while the studio changed their plans about
that film the pair later found something else to work together on. That was the
1982 film CREEPSHOW.
Fans of the old EC Comic books that were banned at one time
and credited with creating subversive attitudes in teens, they came up with an
anthology film that combined those old styled stories with modern movie
technology. Rather than use the old comic titles they came up with their own
comic called Creepshow. Instead of the Crypt Keeper they had The Creep. But the
stories they told in this film would have fit perfectly in those old comics.
This documentary takes a look at their efforts moving from
how they came up with the idea to the cast to the special effects to the music
and so on. Each step of the way is an interesting look at just how a movie gets
made and in this case outside of the studio system. That’s because whole Warner
Brothers eventually distributed the film it was indeed an independent film to
begin with. Made on a shoestring budget for the project it was every penny
spent on this film shows up on screen. That only made it better.
Interviews in the film range from various cast members
including Ed Harris and Adrienne Barbeau to effect supervisor Tom Savini to
Romero himself. All of them offer anecdotes about the making of the film and
from the things they discuss it sounds like they had far more fun than they
should have. The entire team seems to have bonded, everyone from grips to
well-known actors who had been in loftier roles but found that there was
something special in this film, that it was more than just a cheap horror
flick. It was a homage to those great comics that came long ago. For myself I
think that this film was an inspiration for the later HBO series TALES FROM THE
CRYPT which used those original comics for their scripts.
The film uses behind the scenes footage along with the
interviews to give a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. It’s
interesting to watch as some actors who were just beginning at the time, like
Harris as well as Ted Danson who was just about to start a TV series about a
group of people hanging out at a bar, and others involved in the production who
went on to bigger things are shown in their early days. Particularly
fascinating is the way the effects were done. Remember these were days long
ahead of computer generated effects. Most were practical effects that were
done, including some hair raising stories concerning the final story involving
thousands of cockroaches.
The movie is well made, informative and for fans of the film
a must have for their collection. In addition to the film the extras are fairly
massive for as old as the movie is. They include:
-An audio commentary track with director & editor
Michael Felshe
-An audio commentary track with actor John Amplas, property
master Bruce Alan Miller and make-up effects assistant Darryl Ferucci
-Creepshow Days – An interview with director of photography
director Michael Gornick
-Extended interview segments with George A. Romero, Tom Savini
and Bernie Wrightson
-Behind the Screams – a compilation of on-set video footage
from Tom Savini
-Horror’s Hallowed Grounds with Sean Clark – An episode of
the series that takes you to the locations made famous in various horror films
-Vintage 1982 Evening Magazine segment shot on the set of
the film featuring rare cast & crew interviews
-Behind the scenes photo gallery of CREEPSHOW
-Best of all the full SCREAM GREATS VOL. ONE: TOM SAVINI
documentary with optional audio commentary track with Tom Savini. To my
knowledge this is the first time this has ever been released on disc.
If you love making of movies, documentaries, horror films,
George A. Romero, Tom Savini or CREEPSHOW then by all means this needs to be
added to your shelf. Once viewed you’ll find yourself digging out that copy of
the original film to watch again and remember just how much fun it was the
first time around.
