PopHorror Let's Get Scared
The “Godfather of Gore,” Herschell Gordon Lewis (The Gore, Gore Girls) left a blood soaked, indelible mark on horror with many of his films before his passing, none was more notorious at the time, than Blood Feast. This was controversial stuff in 1963, in fact, its tagline, “nothing so appalling in the annals of horror,” is synonymous with his output of the era. With 2016’s remake, unfortunately, gorehounds seem to have taken a “meh” stance, overlooking, or condemning outright, a solid flick with a lot of heart.
Synapse Films, not to let a good, gory, deed go underappreciated, dropped a 4K Ultra disc of Blood Feast, uncut for the first time, for the more discerning sanguine-o-philes.
Synopsis
After having moved to France, Fuad works night shifts at a museum for Egyptian culture. During long nights, he is repeatedly drawn to a statue representing the seductive ancient goddess Ishtar and becomes allured by her visions.
Check out the trailer!
Fuad Ramses (Robert Russler; A Nightmare on Elm St. 2: Freddy’s Revenge) has a little problem, after moving his family Louise (Caroline Williams; Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2), and daughter Penny (Sophie Monk; Click) to France to open an American diner, he’s forced to moonlight at a museum. While walking his rounds in the Egyptian exhibit, Fuad becomes obsessed with a statue of the Goddess Ishtar. And who can blame him? The comely Goddess (the gorgeous Sadie Katz; The Beast Inside) soon has him under her thrall, and, after loving visions from Ishtar, Fuad develops a taste for the long pig. Murders, butchery, and a gourmet feast of the most taboo type are on the menu, and nobody is safe from becoming dinner!
Blood Feast kind of limped into, and out of, horror fans’ collective vision upon it’s initial release in 2016. Chalk it up to “re-make backlash” or oversaturation of the market, but it made a really limited impact. I. for one, really enjoyed the remake and when talking about the film, responded incredulously when I would get the inevitable “wait, they re-made ‘Blood Feast’?” This is a very solid film, with an intense performance by Russler, who shines as bright as he ever did, even when surrounded by such an equally talented cast.
Genre vet Williams gives an impressive turn. Monk, who looks amazing when splattered with blood (is that weird?), steals quite a few scenes, and the crazy versatile Katz is born to play a Goddess. Herschell Gordon Lewis even turns up in a great cameo role, made all the more poignant since this film was released theatrically a year after his death. And, while not quite as controversial as the splattery goodness of the original at the time, there’s plenty of convincing spillage and entrails here, courtesy of the late Ryan Nicholson (Gutter Balls).
Synapse’s transfer looks spectacular! Sharper images, and blacker blacks when compared to the Blu release (yes, I A-B’ed it, I’m a nerd…) make Blood Feast a feast for the eyes. Presented uncut (clocking in at 99 minutes vs. the 96 minute Hanover House Blu), with trailers, a “making of” featurette, a music video, “scare cam,” and even the red carpet premiere footage round out the extras for the disc. A slipcover and reversible cover with alternate art make for a slick package that compliments the standard black 4K Ultra case.
A really well done reboot, with a marked reverence for the source material from director Marcel Walz (Pretty Boy) Blood Feast sports great performances from some familiar genre faces, and definitely deserves a second chance. Jump in with both feet, an open mind, and you’ll soon be knee deep in cannibal, blood bath goodness!
Synapse Films’ 4K Ultra release of Blood Feast is available now from fine retailers
