City of the Living Dead

source: City of the Living Dead

Trailer—Paura nella città dei morti viventi

Paura nella città dei morti viventi

This is a much cleverer film than its reputation , and the chortling audience, might suggest. Fulci's use of space is always impressive, the way he opens out a flat composition at the approach of menace. Alternately, the claustrophobic scenes in the catacombs (which really smell like death!), and the premature burial is horribly vivid. The Gothic decay of the content is contained by Fulci's form, his neo-classical use of symmetry, mirrorings, patterns, echoes, fooling his audience into a false sense of reassurance. Shame about his storytelling abilities.

With a film like this, you can't go wrong. The man who made the film did an excellent job. A priest who hangs himself, a psychic who comes back from the dead. Connection? On the Northeast side of the US. A town called Dunwich which was close to Salem, home of the witch trials. The priest's death caused all the chaos. Many deaths of loved ones resulted in the dead resurgent. Female victims have been turned inside out by the priest, and other grisly acts of violence. I enjoyed every moment of the film, it's a first that really got my interest. Not too bad. 4 out of 5 stars

Okay, someone has to say it : Fulci's movie are chock-full of mistakes, unlogical things that goes bump in the scenario and scenes you might laugh at (even worse than my beloved Dario Argento on this ground) But… for the true afficionadoes, this holds riches beyond belief. As most Italian oddities, it's hard to tell were the genius starts and the hack sets in - or is it the other way round ? There IS something in those movie, that makes me - and others - watch them over and over again though I should be too old for this, though I know their defects which suddenly turns into qualities. This movie is the most Lovecraftian of all Fulci's movies, and it's true there is in Lovecraft purple prose and stuff that might be laughed at. But isn't it what grotesque is all about, this no man's land between the pits and the nirvana ?

"The Gates of Hell" is another masterpiece directed by one of the best horror directors Lucio Fulci.Fulci,who sadly died in 1996,was a real artist.Anyway this film concerns a priest committing suicide and opening the gateway to Hell,allowing the dead to rise from their graves and feed on the living.Christopher George("Pieces")tries to stop them.The gore effects made by Gino de Rossi are excellent(maggots,rotting flesh,lots of squished brains etc.)Giovanni Lombardo Radice gets an electric drill through his head,and there's also a notorious scene of woman(Daniela Doria)vomiting up all of her internal organs in a really nauseating torrent of blood and guts.The plot is weak,but the film is highly atmospheric and imaginative.Again brilliant director Lucio Fulci created a masterpiece of pure horror!10 out of 10-not to be missed.

Like most of Fulci's horror movies and Italian horror in general, plot and logic take a back seat to gore and stunning visual set pieces. I don't think that 'City Of The Living Dead' quite reaches the heights of Fulci's best ('The Beyond') but apart from a few dull patches it comes closer than you would expect. The simplistic story, which tips it's hat to H.P. Lovecraft, is really just an excuse for another zombie move, and regardless of his shortcomings, Fulci certainly came up with some of the most repulsive and horrible zombies ever, so this is essential viewing to fans of the genre. The movie includes two unforgettable gore sequences ( the drill and vomit scenes), a chilling scene in a graveyard, and an odd, unexpected ending. Recommended to fans of Italian horror. Others might be puzzled if they haven't experienced the style/period before, it's quite a trip!