They couldn’t be more wrong.
Though clearly a metaphor for the horrific effects that war can have on a family, Deathdream isn’t heavy-handed; it manages to convey its message in subtext and concentrate on building tension and atmosphere. There are some genuinely creepy moments, and a conclusion that should stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
Elements of Bob Clark’s film have aged, but its theme seems incredibly relevant today in the face of the current conflict in the Middle East. So much so that Joe Dante produced a similarly themed short for his offering in the first Masters of Horror season — Homecoming. Director John Stalberg and Grudge scribe Stephen Susco are currently working on Zero Dark Thirty, a modern day remake of Deathdream (the conflict is shifted to Afghanistan).
Richard Backus gives an unsettling, scene-stealing performance as Andy, and is almost as much to thank for the film's success as Clark. Deathdream also has the honour of being gore legend Tom Savini’s first film, although his effects weren’t quite as splatterific here as they’d go on to be in his later work.
Tragically, Clark and his son were recently killed in a traffic accident. A drunk driver (who also happened to be an illegal immigrant) collided with their car, resulting in both their deaths. It’s a great loss to cinema, and the horror genre in particular.
Deathdream is creepy, thought provoking, and moving. You can pick at one or two aspects of the production if you like, but the final film is a testament to Bob Clark’s vision and skill, and – in my humble opinion - stands proudly as a must-see (yet sadly overlooked) entry in the horror genre’s crowded vaults.
Rest in peace Bob, you’ll be missed.
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
Good stuff guys. I will seriously have to check out that nun film. Who doesn't love a little nunsploitation?
Sorry I missed the deadline. I have nothing to blame but my own inherent laziness.
2 - Nunsploitation.net
I'm always happy to see nunsploitation films get some ink, but I was just a bit disappointed with your review. Did you check out the special features? Nunsploitation.Net helped do the features for this movie including one on the history of nunsploitation films.
Mondo Macabro did a great job putting this package together with worthwile features including an interview with the director's son who co-wrote the film, a featurette from Salvation Films about nunsploitation cinema, and featurettes from us at nunsploitation.net on the history of the genre.
3 - Chris Beaumont
No, I haven't gone through the extras yet, but I do plan to. For the purposes of this fine column, I only focused on the film.