Dead & Buried (1981)
Directed By: Gary Sherman
Where to get it: Blue Underground
The Prologue
Dead & Buried is a film I've been meaning to check out for a very long time now, just never got the chance to do it. So when I was able to get some spare cash and grab some stuff that I haven't gotten a chance to get before, the blu-ray of Dead & Buried was at the top of my list. Dead & Buried is a pretty infamous film. It's co-written by a true horror legend in, Dan O'Bannon. It also has another legend, Robert Englund, in a small role as well. It also packs one of the weirdest and yet most interesting stories I can remember in a horror film. So, anyone looking for some violence mixed with some mystery and all out weirdness NEEDS to see this one as soon as possible.
The Movie
Something very strange is happening in the quiet coastal village of Potters Bluff, where tourists and transients are warmly welcomed... then brutally murdered. But even more shocking is when these slain strangers suddenly reappear as normal, friendly citizens around town. Now the local sheriff (James Farentino of THE FINAL COUNTDOWN) and an eccentric mortician (Oscar winner Jack Albertson in his final feature film appearance) must uncover the horrific secret of a community where some terrifying traditions are alive and well... and no one is ever really DEAD & BURIED.
The creepy factor this film packs catches your attention and jumps right off the screen almost immediately when you start watching this film. The grim and dark look of things doesn't hurt matters either if you want to know the truth. You first think people are just killing other people. Then it turns into a whole town conspiracy. However, it's later on when the story goes deeper and we realize that what's up is far more creepy and sinister than we could have ever thought! And it a pure joy to watch. It packs pretty much everything a horror film needs to be memorable. Great characters, gore, fun, and a nice twist.
Two of our main character are the town's sheriff, Dan Gillis (played by James Farentino) and the town's mortician, William G. Dobbs (played Jack Albertson). Gillis is a pretty straight laced law officer, that notices that things in town just don't seem as up and up as they are appearing to be. He's got a town acting crazy, and among the residents acting this way is his dear wife. Dobbs, on the other hand, is just a weird old man. And someone with a job like his should be expected to be one. The two share great interactions, are anchors of the story, and when you add them in with the gore factor you have a classic on your hands.
Among the gore and brutal moments of this film is one scene that will just make you squirm. I won't spoil it, but it does involve an eyeball. And older horror films sure do seem to be at their best when the gags involve eyes. As hinted at before, this film leads us a very shocking, yet somewhat expected ending. But one that is just lovely in it's eerie ways. And one that is made up of the things classic horror film ending are made up of. There are a lot of horror films out there to pick from. Some are more known that others, but if you've not seen this one, you really should fix that.
The Conclusion
1981 was a year packed with many great horror slashers. But let me tell you that Dead & Buried is just as awesome as a lot of those were. It's a little slow here and there, but it builds good suspense. Now of course the issue could be made that the blu-ray isn't as on par with many Blue Underground blu-rays that I've seen, but it doesn't really suck or anything. It's just not very vibrant. But no matter if it's the DVD or the Blu, this movie rocks.
The Rating (8/10)
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