You can’t talk about a movie like DEADBEAT AT DAWN without
putting it into context as to when and how it was made. If you do then you make
it far more difficult to describe just what a cult fan favorite the movie is
and why. And if ever a movie deserved to be called a cult film this is it.
Made in 1988 as the midnight movie faze was petering out and
the home video craze was peaking the movie found its way into the hearts and
minds of its fans video VHS. Not just in the stores that were renting the film
but in the numerous bootleg copies that were out there passed along from one
anxious pair of hands to another. The word was out about this small film made
on a meager budget with zero name brand stars that just messed with the minds
of all who witnessed it. That made seeing the movie all the more desirable to
those looking for something new and different.
The story in the film is simple really but what unfolds on
screen is unique. Director/writer Jim Van Bebber stars as Goose, the leader of
a gang known as the Ravens in Dayton, Ohio. Their arch rivals are the Spiders
led by Danny (Paul Harper). When the film opens the Spiders are entering Raven
territory, a huge cemetery. The two leaders face off in a hand to hand fight
that leaves both battered and bloody but with Goose getting the upper hand.
Returning home Goose nurses his wounds with the help of his
girlfriend Christie (Megan Murphy). Christie dearly loves Goose but knows that
this lifestyle will lead him to certain death. She tells him that if he doesn’t
give up the gang then she’s leaving. Realizing how much she means to him and
taking her at her word he agrees to give up the gang. Before he leaves his life
of crime behind he has one last thing to do, the sale of drugs to put himself
and Christie in a position to leave.
But while he’s out members of the Spiders show at their
apartment. They brutally beat Christie to death with rape implied but not
onscreen. When Goose returns he is torn by what he discovers. He takes
Christie’s body and places it in a giant trash compacter and goes on a drunken
binge. With no place to go he moves in with his father, a PTSD Vietnam vet
who’s more concerned about his next drug fix and beer than his son.
Found by the new leader of the Ravens before he can kill
himself Goose it hauled in because they need an extra man for a job they intend
to pull off. The gang has joined up with the Spiders now and a huge heist is in
the making. What this new leader doesn’t realize is that Danny plans on double
crossing the gang and taking them all out once the job is done. With nearly
everyone in his life now gone only Goose is left to seek revenge on Danny and
the remaining members of the Spiders.
The movie was the first feature film shot entirely in
Dayton. To say it was made on a low budget is being generous. It was made for
around $10,000 and shot over a four year period. Van Bebber not only wrote,
directed and starred in the film he also edited, designed the effects, and did
his own stunts. And the effects here are some of the goriest you will find
between hands partially blown away and more. That he could reach his goal of
making a feature film that contained his vision without studio interference and
that we’re talking about it now some 30 years later is an accomplishment.
There are certainly moments that could have had more polish
added to them, stunts that professionals might have done better and certainly
the film could look better than the grainy appearance that it has. But all of those
things are what make up the charm of this film. It IS the grainy picture, it IS
the slightly off punches, it IS the touch and go acting ability of those
involved (and some moments are great when it comes to performances) that make
up a movie that earned its cult status by being true to itself. This is the
first movie of a 21 year old director and it shows but in a good way. The heart
involved in the film makes up for the unpolished appearance.
Arrow Film is bringing the movie out for a 30th
anniversary release. Said Van Bebber about the release last year “[It’s] slated for a 4K transfer from the
original A&B rolls (supervised by me) and a long overdue Bluray release on
it’s 30th anniversary.” True to his word that’s what you’ll
find in this new release of the film to blu-ray. And the extras are sure to
make fans go crazy. They include a new audio commentary track with Van Bebber,
Harper and Cody Lee Hardin moderated by Victor Bonacore who made DIARY OF A
DEADBEAT: THE STORY, “Jim Van Bebber, Deadbeat Forever!” a new retrospective
documentary on Van Bebber and the legacy of the film by Bonacore that includes
rare footage, interviews and more, an archival 1986 behind the scenes
documentary from VHS by Nate Pennington, outtakes, four newly restored shorts
from Van Bebber (“Into the Black”, “My Sweet Satan”, “Roadkill: The Last Days
of John Martin” and “Gator Green”), a Van Bebber music video collection
including never-before-seen director’s cuts, “Chunkblower” a promotional
trailer for an unfinished Gary Blair Smith produced feature, an extensive image
gallery with never before seen still, a reversible sleeve with newly
commissioned artwork by Peter Strain and for the first pressing only a collector's
booklet featuring new writing by Scott Gabbey and Graham Rae. It will take
longer to get through the extras than the movie itself!
As with all things Arrow they’ve outdone themselves with
this release. Fans of the film will now have the chance to have it in the best
possible format available with all of the extra goodies to keep them
entertained and watching for several hours. If you’re a fan of the film you’ll
love this edition of it. If you’ve never seen it prepare to have your senses
blown away and your stomach churned.
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