Review of Re-Animator: Millennium Edition

Introduction

Based on the six-part story `Herbert West - Reanimator`, which was written by the great Gothic storyteller H. P. Lovecraft and published under the title `Grewsome Tales` in `Home Brew` magazine between September 1921 and June 1922, `Re-Animator` was first envisioned as a six-part TV show. Theatre director Stuart Gordon, together with Bill Norris and Dennis Paoli, decided to make it a two-parter, with the first three stories in part one. They were introduced to Brian Yuzna, a producer whose project had fallen through and who was looking for another - he had the money, they had the idea. Yuzna pointed out that the second part might never be commissioned, and that a better idea would be to use all six stories in one feature.

Whilst studying under Dr. Gruber in Switzerland, brilliant medical student Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) creates a serum that re-animates the dead, but he is quickly ejected from the country after an experiment involving his mentor went horribly wrong and attracted the attention of the authorities. Back in the US and studying at Miskatonic University, West resumes his research with the talented, but poor, Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott) with whom he is lodging.

Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale), an eminent physician who lusts after the Dean`s daughter Meg (Barbara Crampton), girlfriend of Dan Cain, despises West for questioning his assertion that the brain only survives for 6 to 12 minutes after death. When Dr. Hill discovers that West is a genius and that his serum works, he steals his research, planning to publish it as his own and win a Nobel prize. West doesn`t take kindly to this, decapitates Hill with a spade, then re-animates him. Hill`s re-animated body, under direction from the head, knocks out West and makes off with his work in search of Meg, causing all hell to break loose in the process.

Video

On this THX-Certified disc, the anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer is very good, the picture is sharp and the colours and contrast are excellent.

Audio

You get the choice of DD 5.1, DTS or Stereo. The 5.1 soundtracks are impressive, with the surrounds used frequently throughout the film, especially the parts taken from Bernard Hermann`s score for `Psycho`. When the volume increases and the surrounds are used more, the dialogue can get a little swamped and I found that the stereo soundtrack was the clearest of the three.

Sadly, there are no subtitles.

Features

There are two commentaries. On the first, director Stuart Gordon talks you through the film, from inception to distribution, filming to editing.

The second commentary with producer Brian Yuzna and actors Jeffrey Combs, Robert Sampson, Barbara Crampton and Bruce Abbott is your typical `yack-track`, as they laugh and joke throughout the running time, not adding much to your understanding and appreciation, but worth a listen.

The `Video Interviews` section contains interviews with Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna, writer Dennis Paoli, composer Richard Band and Fangoria editor Tony Timpone. The interviews vary in length and quality, the best is Gordon and Yuzna`s, which lasts over three quarters of an hour and is revealing and interesting.

There is also a `Music Discussion` with Richard Band, in which he talks about scoring four of the scenes.

There is one deleted scene which is not contextualised by either introduction nor commentary, so I`m not sure where it would have fitted in to the film - Barbara Crampton`s breasts feature prominently though!

The `Multi-Angle Storyboards` feature allows you to see three of the scenes as they were storyboarded and you can flick between the storyboards and the film using the `Angle` button on your remote.

There are 16 extended scenes running at just over 23 minutes.

There is the original theatrical trailer and five TV spots.

The `Behind-the-Scenes Photo Gallery` contains photos from the shoot but unfortunately has to be manually navigated.

Brief biographies of most of the cast and crew.

Conclusion

Made for under a million dollars and released unrated, `Re-Animator` was not a huge theatrical hit but made its money in the home entertainment market. As word spread, videos flew off the shelves and a film that could have sunk without trace has instead become a cult classic, spawning two sequels and a third on the way.

`Re-Animator` works for many reasons: it`s based on sound source material; it`s adapted and directed with energy and wit and the cast all put in career-best performances. Indeed, Jeffrey Combs has recently seemed to reprise his role in the science fiction TV show `The 4400` playing a brilliant scientist who knows what to do with a syringe of luminous green liquid! It`s a real shame that David Gale died only five years after making this film as his performance has echoes of Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. Making a film that successfully blends elements of horror and comedy is a notoriously tricky thing to do: Sam Raimi did it with `The Evil Dead`, Peter Jackson with `Braindead` and `Re-Animator` can be added to this list with its fine mix of deadpan humour and outrageous gore.

With films like `The Evil Dead`, `Basket Case`, `Poltergeist`, `Friday the 13th`, `Brain Damage` and `Society`, the 1980s were awash with horror films on VHS - some disappeared and are known only to the diehard horror fans, whereas others gained large audiences and notoriety. `Re-Animator` is a film that is loved by many people, including myself, and it`s a testament to its popularity that a high quality DVD set like this is released.

If you like a good scare and a laugh, then this is a film you will undoubtedly enjoy and a set you will not regret buying.