One of the joys of first VHS and now disc is that borders no
longer mattered when it came to movies. Films that were regional hits shot in
the backwoods of the US, martial arts movies made in China and movies from
foreign countries not shown in the US were now available for anyone to have
access to. In some cases that was good and in others it unleashed a flood of B
to Z grade movies in the mom and pop video stores. One title that showed up on
those shelves was DEATH WARMED UP. Now it’s making its way to blu-ray with a
great version from Severin.
Shot in New Zealand and released in 1984 the movie is a
strange one. It opens with two scientists arguing about an experiment they’ve
been working on. Watching them argue is Michael Tucker (Michael Hurst), the
patient of one of the pair Dr. Howell (Gary Day) and son of the second. Howell
has been treating Michael with a mind controlling drug which he uses to have
him murder his parents. Michael is sent to a mental institution and Howell
carries on.
Seven years later Michael and a group of friends are on a
holiday to check out a remote island where Howell is now set up with his own
institution. His friends include his girlfriend Sandy (Margaret Umbers),
Jeannie (Norelle Scott) and her boyfriend Lucas (William Upjohn). On the ferry
to the island Jeannie and Lucas have sex in the backseat of their car while two
workers from Howell’s institute watch from their truck. Spider (David Letch) is
the apparent smart one of the pair, both of them looking and dressing like
casts members of the latest ROAD WARRIOR film rather than hospital employees.
Their watching begins to affect the more silent member of the two and his head
begins fluctuating as he becomes ill. Caught watching it results in a fight
between the two workers with Michael and Lucas and threats of revenge.
When they get to the island the foursome begin driving
around. Only Jeannie knows the real reason for coming here. Michael wants
revenge on Dr. Howell and to kill him. But his chances are reduced when Spider
and his partner try to run them off the road. They escape but the deadly duo
are not unscathed. Spider takes his friend to Howell for help who turns him
down. This angers Spider who releases the prisoners Howell holds in his
hospital, zombie like creatures oozing fluids and seeking destruction.
While this is taking place Michael and crew have explored
secret tunnels he was told would lead him to Howell’s hospital. Naturally the
group is separated, bodies are found and Michael is captured by Howell. Not all
of them will make it out alive as they find themselves surrounded by the
various creatures for Howell’s labs.
The movie is crazy in every way imaginable. Plot lines
sometimes don’t make sense but yet it works from start to finish. One has to
wonder if everyone in New Zealand and Australia had some fashion scene going on
in the 80s that required them to dress like post-Apocalyptic world denizens.
The gore factor on the film may not equal that of many movies made since but
the amount of blood, guts and gooey bodily fluids on display here will satisfy
the most bloodthirsty gore hound.
Fans of the old mom and pop stores might even recall the box
art they saw when the film was released back then. The number of movies that
were made or played straight to video at the time are becoming a genre unto
themselves and companies like Severin are making those movies available for the
nostalgic.
Speaking of Severin this version of the film is a class act
with a nice restoration on blu-ray. In addition to that they’ve included some
extras that fans of the film will love viewing. These include the original New
Zealand 4x3 VHS cut of the film, an audio commentary track by director David
Blyth and writer Michael Heath, “I’ll Get You All” an interview with actor
Letch, deleted scenes with optional audio commentary by Blyth and Heath, an
interview featurette with Blyth and Heath, the theatrical trailer, the VHS
trailer and a TV spot.
Horror fans will be happy with the end result here and
potentially flock to the film. Some will catch it for the first time. On the
whole it was interesting to watch and brought back fond video store memories.
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