In 2007, Uli Lommel, director of The Boogeyman films, made a low budget shot-on-digital and direct-to-DVD horror movie called The Tomb. It was kind of trash and I kind of disliked it, like - sorry, Uli - I've disliked pretty much every Lummel film I've ever seen. Every couple of years, I feel like I'm going to have an epiphany like, "oh, this is why his films have an audience!" I'm still waiting. But, as an added consequence, seeing and writing off Lummel's The Tomb had me mistakenly write off Bruno Mattei's 2006 low budget shot-on-digital and direct-to-DVD horror movie called The Tomb. It wasn't until this year, when I was looking at some of Mattei's modern, digital films that I realized I'd conflated two entirely different movies and that I'd never actually seen Mattei's. So I tracked down the old DVD, which is still the best and only way to get it, and oh boy. This is certainly something.
The Tomb is at least somewhat inspired by the Stephen Sommers' hugely popular mummy movies. The bad guy looks just like Arnold Vosloo, and just like in The Mummy, the film opens up with our evil high priest in ancient times. This time, he's specifically Mayan, and conducting a resurrection ceremony. He gets interrupted at the last minute, and of course then we cut to contemporary times, where a professor and his archeology students arrive in Mexico, looking for some ancient tombs to poke around in. Conveniently, the pretty blonde one looks just like the seventh sacrifice the high priest failed to complete two thousand years ago. So an evil stripper who just so happens to be the high priest's undying wife kills their guide and takes them to the deadly, trapped-filled tomb, where the dead rise to finish what they started.
Man, Mattei has not missed a step since his early classics like Rats and Hell Of the Living Dead. Everything that was great about them, and everything that was terrible and enjoyable amount them are still on hand in equal amounts. You've got some really well-shot scenes with strong colors and fun images. You've got a movie that definitely delivers on the cheap thrills, and you've got the same wonderful dubbing. I think I even recognize some of the same voices from the 80s! Is he still incorporating stock footage? I'd say he's even gotten more bold. Maybe you recognize that shot of the skeletons from Army of Darkness? And that's not the only instance. The production values are all over the place, from looking dirt cheap and plastic-y to actually impressive. The acting is delightfully over-the-top and scenes get downright silly as they try to play it all deadly straight. Some of the make-up effects are actually quite good, though. I wouldn't recommend this movie to the average viewer, but if you like Mattei, this is one seriously fun time.
So, like I said, the old DVD is pretty much our sole option. It's a 2007 disc from York Entertainment, and boy is it no frills. And to illustrate that, look at its crazy, home-made DVD menu [right]! I mean, technically there is also a 2006 Italian DVD from CVC, but it has no English language options, just Italian audio and subtitles. So that's out. I have to admit, though, I'd be curious to get my hands on a copy anyway, just to see how the video quality stacks up against our US edition, because man, is this edition troubled.
I mean, where to begin? How about non-anamorphic? Serious interlacing problems? Soft, murky and compressed, with cases of weird edge enhancement? It's all here. The picture has a weird aspect ratio of about 1.73:1, which is presumably incorrect. And they don't even crop the stock footage to match the rest of the film, getting even more black footage on the sides whenever we cut away to Army or Raiders Of the Lost Ark. And when I say serious interlacing problems, I don't just mean the every 5th or 6th frame thing we see on a lot of cheap PAL<-->NTSC conversions; every frame is interlaced for minutes on end. I wouldn't be surprised if Mattei's original footage turned out to be interlaced because he shot this with a cheap home consumer camcorder, or his editors couldn't figure out the pull-down. But then again, I'm hesitant to shift the blame for anything off of York, because clearly zero care was put into this release.
We only get the English dub for audio, but it's surprisingly hiss-free, and there are no subtitles or special features, not even a trailer. Heck, there aren't even chapters on this DVD! Hit the skip ahead or back buttons, and it takes you right back to the generic menu screen.
But you know what? Who cares if the DVD sucks? It almost adds to the kitsch of the whole proceedings. I mean, yeah, I'd be interested in a quality special edition re-release for sure. This film was probably shot in HD, right? Maybe? I'd like to see what could be done with this one, and any extras would be a hoot, I'm sure. So, maybe 88 Films could put this in their Italian line, or Severin could take a whack at it, since they've handled a bunch of other, more recent Mattei films. But I wouldn't hold my breath. And in the meantime, don't let York's disc put you off. It's on Amazon for under a dollar, so go ahead and splurge. Just don't get the Lummel film, because that's 47 cents you'll never get back.
Hello, First I want to say that I like your blog and the ultra detailed review. We have a nice french dvd of this movie: http://www.dvdfr.com/dvd/f51156-tombe.html
ReplyDeleteOh, interesting! I might have to pick that up.
DeleteLooks like I can import that too - according to Amazon France it has an English (5.1) audio track, so I think I'll order that disc. Surely it can't be worse than the one under review! (love that menu system :D ) Thanks for the tip-off.
DeleteThis sounds great, I really hope someone puts out a decent disc (I guess Severin could be the most likely, as you mention). Have you seen Island of the Living Dead and Zombies The Beginning? I got the German double bill (with English tracks) before Severin put them out, but either way they have to be seen to be believed. I just wish he'd shot all this classic shit on film because I hate that digital video look.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I actually got both of those in that recent Severin sale! Haven't watched 'em yet but will soon.
DeleteYou're in for a treat I reckon, John.
DeleteHarsh words for Lummel. The Boogeyman is straight up dope. And The Boogeyman II is possibly the worst film ever made, with the exception of Lummel's re-edit, which manages to be even worse. Okay, maybe you have a point. Mattei's movie fills me with dread curiosity, though.
ReplyDeleteI checked my disc, and unfortunatly the back cover is wrong. It's only in french with no subtitle. Chapter menu only no extra. And the picture seem to be interlaced. But it's anamorphic
ReplyDeleteAmazon France says there are both French and English audio tracks...?
DeleteTrust me it's wrong on the dvd cover also , I have this disc I'm french lol
DeletePants! Okay, thanks for confirming - looks like it's back to hoping that Severin pick this one up, as I really want to see it now!
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