The Beyond

O.K. Lets cut to the meat of this review. "The Beyond" is a classic film. It is a great film. But man, does that script suck or what!?!

The plot: a hotel is built on one of the 7 doors to Hell. And for some reason they start to open and a whole bunch of shit starts to happen.

This is going to be a short review, I can tell that already. The film makes very little sense, and some would argue that that is part of the films strength. This is true as to that is what helps this films carry on its surreal feel. That and Fulci's typical skill for atmosphere. The film looks great. Fulci was a master of using the full extents of his frame. Usually it was with people's eyes, but that screen is always full of something.

The movie is a film that is strictly for those who want to learn a great lesson in camera work (I do need to stress again that Fulci really knew atmosphere. For what Argento is to suspense, Fulci is to atmosphere), Make-up FX, or just for those who really want to get a butt-load of creepy images thrown at them.

Grindhouse Releasing have done a fantastic amount of work on this release (and it shows). This DVD comes with numerous features. Let's run 'em down as they appear on the back of the case:

Widescreen Presentation: The ONLY way to view a Fulci movie. He was a director who used every inch of the screen. So Pan and Scan looks like shit with a Fulci movie. This though is a beautiful print and it might be the best it has ever looked. My only source of knowledge is a pretty good boot I have from Midnight Video. This is better.

On-set interview with Fulci: This interview was done on the set of "Demonia". It is outside and a cold looking Fulci answers numerous question in a very broken English that is only slightly hard to understand at times. But a nice interview for it importance of hearing the man speak.

A bunch of trailers: Well, if you like commercials. They are great.

Music video of the band Necrophagia: I like Death Metal. I have very strong ties to the scene (any questions about that, check out the latest release by Broken Hope called "Grotesque Blessings" and look for my name in the "thank you" section. Yes, I am name dropping and promoting some friends) and have been in the scene as an "outsider on the inside" for over 10 years. I know the style very well. But this just sucks. The video itself is complete crap. It consists of clips from the movie with clips of the band playing in a very well lit basement. The songs is from the Fulci tribute CD that a bunch of Death/Black/Gothic Metal bands did. It would have been better to have just put the songs to clips of the movie. Or else just the band. But editing the two together just looks goofy.

The still galleries are very nice. Lot's of behind the scenes shots and just random photos. The background music is not from the original soundtrack as I would have liked, but rather by two bands who appear on the Lucio Fulci tribute CD entitled "Lucio Fulci: A Symphony Of Fear". These two bands are CARFAX (from Canada) and ALUCARDA (from Florida). While not exactly what I would have chosen, this might bring about some extra exposure for some underground bands. Plus it will give some added exposure to that CD. Nice way of advertising.

Lost German color Pre-credit sequence: Well, it's the beginning of the movie in color. Looks great. Yeah, thanks. Neat.

Audio Commentary by David Warbeck and Catriona MacColl: Ooooooo, now here we go. The only feature on DVD's that actually gets me salivating! The commentary track. Now make that a commentary track by somebody who has passed away (2 weeks after recording said track in this case), and you have me running out to buy that movie. But as I have said, it has to be a movie I actually want! This now, is a tasty treat. Soooo many stories these two have to share. Stories of Fulci making the actresses cry, stories of Fulci flipping out. So much stuff for these two to talk about that they never stop talking. It even seems that the track was stopped at the end of the movie and these two just keep on talking. The disturbing thing about this though is that you can tell Warbeck is not healthy. He coughs quite a few times and he talks about his hospital and also the many prescription drugs he is on. Catriona seems to try and avoid talking about the topic. Almost like she knows her friend is not going to be around too much longer. But aside from that, this is a great commentary track.

The DVD also has two "Easter eggs". They are a short beginning excerpt from the horrible looking US video version of this film under its old title "7 Doors Of Death". I guess this is on here so that Anchor Bay could pat themselves on the back and say "see how great we are, this is what you used to have to look at". Well, they reserve that right since they are fast becoming Gods in the eyes of us Horror fans.

The other egg is a trailer for the horrible looking "Cat In The Brain". I would have suggested they keep this trailer off of here since they are releasing this film next year. I have been wanting to see this movie for a long time. I don't know now how anxious I am to get it.

This is another great looking DVD. Why, you might ask did I spend so much time with the extra stuff in this review. Well, if you have not seen this movie yet, rent it first. For as much as I love it and a lot of other people love it, it is a very acquired taste. Some people love Fulci, others hate him. I understand both sides. He was a very unique director whose talent is easy to tear apart. If you have seen this movie, you knew right away if this would find its way into your collection.

If you like this movie : The picture is great, the sound is great and the extras are well worth it (another fine job by the good folk at Grindhouse) - Buy it!

If you have yet to see this: Rent it. Keep an open mind. Listen to the commentary if you decide you are not going to buy it. If you are going to buy it, hold off until you own it. Then pop some popcorn and sit down for an extra treat.

If you don't like this movie: Why are you still reading this review?