DEMON RESURRECTION

Excavating the remains of a mysterious skeleton in the desert, John (Damian Ladd) incurs the wrath of the sinister cult leader Toth (Will McDonald).

A short while later, a group of friends - if we can call them that, as they love to squabble - turn up at John's remote farmhouse. They're concerned that one of their group, pretty blonde Grace (Alexis Golightly), has withdrawn since she started dating John. Searching the place, they discuss Grace's current demeanour amongst themselves: they initially believe John has got the dazed girl hooked on drugs. But the reality is much worse.

They soon discover that John rescued Grace from the clutches of a nearby Satanic cult led by Toth, who were obsessed with the notion of summoning up a demon. Toth has supernatural powers, we're told - but that's okay, because so does John.

Who will survive, then, when Toth arrives at the farmhouse wanting to commandeer Grace for his own nefarious purposes? Can her buddies, with the help of her new beau's freshly learned powers, fend off the zombie army that Toth has resurrected from the nearby cemetery? And even if they do, what will become of them once they uncover the true nature of Grace's ill disposition...?

Writer -director William Hopkins's film was clearly shot on a shoestring budget. And, although it was only made half a dozen years ago (circa 2007), it shows: this is more telling of the advances in the availability of great quality digital cameras to DIY filmmakers these days.

But what DEMON RESURRECTION may lack in terms of visual flair is more than compensated for with the imagination and verve evidenced throughout the film.

While it may start off quite slowly, with some stilted dialogue and that grating type of 'finger held on the synth key indefinitely' electro dirge score that too many no-budget horror flicks rely on for ambience, the film completes as a carefully paced, impressively escalated journey into gory zombie mayhem. But not without some keen forays into worlds of the supernatural and inner-group paranoia first (witness, for example, characters such as Marcy [Stephanie Roy] who shamelessly suggests letting Toth's zombies take Grace in order to save herself).

Performances don't really warrant too much scrutiny: they are what they are. You need to be forgiving of them at times in order to remain immersed in the fun. Likewise the compositions, lighting and editing: all are adequate albeit in a rudimentary manner. They're perfunctory rather than being desperate for your applause. I dare say Hopkins is comfortable with such an observation - he's fashioned a movie that echoes BURIAL GROUND and early 80s Fulci, after all, not THE KING'S SPEECH.

When the gore comes, it's lurid and crusty - as is the undead make-up - and all the better for it. The action is competently staged for what it is, the nudity is sparsely donated but registers well when it appears (demon rape, anyone? Aren't exploitation films wonderful?) and the lack of character development fades into insignificance as the beer-inviting fun takes over.

There is, however, also style in evidence. Hopkins clearly has an eye for camp colour schemes, lending the film a theatrical element which brings to mind the cinema of Vincent Price in the late 60s and early 70s. The ageless theme of good versus evil gets a convincing ride out here too, a game cast and literate screenplay (making reference to Cthulu, no less) both being too wise to sink into the mire that sullies most soulless modern horror efforts.

Even the violence, gory though it is (neck and belly stabbings, bloody births, zombie carnage) is so clearly fashioned on fantastical Italian horror films of yore that it too raises DEMON RESURRECTION above the torture-porn bores that account for 90% of today's entry level genre releases.

I maintain one thing: your appreciation of this fine film will rely heavily on your tolerance of its lo-fi aesthetics. Go with it.

DEMON RESURRECTION is presented uncut on Feature Resources' region free DVD, in its original pillar-boxed 1.33:1 aspect ratio.

Concessions must always be made with films that have been shot digitally with such modest means. Yes, the film does often have a cheap appearance and can look a tad soft. But colours are strong, brightness is ample without ever being overpowering, and slight wavering in the blacks department is but a minor quibble that won't harm (shouldn't) your viewing pleasure.

English 2.0 audio is good for the most part. Any inconsistencies in volume and crispness stem from the manner in which the audio was recorded on the film's shoot. These don't occur too often and aren't problematic as a result.

An animated main menu page opens the disc. From there, a static scene selection menu allows access to the film via 12 chapters.

There are a handful of interesting extras on offer.

First of these in an engaging and thorough audio commentary track from Hopkins, in conversation with stunt co-ordinator/actor/co-producer Edward Wheeler. They discuss shooting the film with little resources at the producer's house; their influences in the likes of Hammer and Amicus films; the practicalities of getting actors to strip for daytime romps in the woods; the gory FX work; the original ending that had to be rethought due to budgetary limitations, and so on. As an insight into the making of a low budget genre film, this makes for a great listen.

A 30-minute Behind The Scenes featurette expands on the above. This offers a fine mix of 'talking head' style interviews with cast and crew members alongside some interesting on-location footage, original cast rehearsals caught on tape, and some intriguing reveals into how the bloody effects work was prepared. This is a very solid accompaniment piece.

Hopkins is on hand again for a sincere 13-minute interview where, with the help of the occasional still, he elaborates on the successes and pratfalls of the film's low budget FX efforts.

Finally, producer Frank Cilla gets his say in a 6-minute chat. He focuses chiefly on how and where the film was shot.

DEMON RESURRECTION doesn't benefit from a glossy finish or even any transparent understanding between its screenplay and its performers. I'm not sure that it really needs to. It's fun, gory and makes a convincing attempt at providing an intriguing backdrop to its eventual, insane denouement.

Keep your expectations realistic, crack open the cans ... and enjoy.

Review by Stuart Willis