Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore

Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore (2010)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Very good documentary from director Frank Henenlotter (BASKET CASE) taking a look at the career of cult filmmaker Herschell Gordon Lewis. Even though the title draws attention to his horror films, the documentary covers his entire career, which includes nudies, educational shorts and just about any genre that was going against what Hollywood was making. Outside the first fifteen-minutes or so, this here is an incredibly entertaining and very funny documentary. I say it starts off somewhat weak simply because the exploitation genre has already had several documentaries done on it so nothing here is all that fresh or original. The film really picks up when we hit the nudie pictures but especially the horror movies. We get all sorts of interesting tidbits on BLOOD FEAST, TWO THOUSAND MANIACS and COLOR ME BLOOD RED including some cast members being interviewed. We also get to hear from the L.A. Times film critic who went into BLOOD FEAST not really knowing what to expect. As a fan of these films, it's was really fun getting to see all the outtakes as well as getting new interviews with some of the cast members. The documentary also does a nice job taking a look at what the director was doing after these films. The director himself is interviewed about the films as is David F. Friedman, Henenlotter, Jerome Eden, John Waters, Mal Arnold, Bunny Yeager and Joe Bob Briggs. Fans of exploitation and the director will certainly want to check this one out.

Gory, Gory, Hallelujah! Take an outrageous ride through the wild world of exploitation films with this often-hilarious documentary.

While this film does not cover the entire breadth of H. G. Lewis' life (it doesn't say much about his life before or after his movie heyday), it does cover a wide range of his best-known movies, from the "nudie cuties" to the gore films. We have Dave Friedman, Ray Sager, and plenty of fried chicken.

Perhaps one of the most interesting parts is the inclusion of "Eye For an Eye", which actually looks like it may have been his best work. Will we ever see it released, even if it has to be severely edited and perhaps have a score added? I hope so.

More than just a review of Lewis's career, this excellent film presents a history of early independent exploitation film production, an era - says Lewis - that had its fate sealed when Sam Peckinpah adapted what Lewis was doing and released THE WILD BUNCH with major studio money behind it.

Includes interviews with John Waters, Joe Bob Briggs, Frank Henenlotter, Drew Friedman and - of course - the master himself, H.G. Lewis. And naturally, there are clips and/or trailers from many of his films, incl. "Blood Feast", Two Thousand Maniacs!", "She-Devils on Wheels," "Just for the Hell of It", "Blast-Off Girls", "Gruesome Twosome" and "Wizard of Gore". It really doesn't get much more fun that this.

This film is truly one of the best documentaries I have ever seen! Not only does it give you the history of Herschell Gordon Lewis and his wide range of films but it also gives you a history of a form of film making that is basically a lost art today. Several sub generes of the exploitation film industry (which in itself is a dead art today)are covered when you talk about Lewis and his films including the "Nudie Cutie" films of the early 60's, The Biker Films, The "Roughies", and yes the film style Mr. Lewis invented with his 1962 classic "Blood Feast"...the "Gore" film! Between the film itself and the over 60 minutes worth of 'deleted' scenes included on the DVD version (which by themselves can be considered a separate movie)every single one of Mr. Lewis over 37 films are covered (save his latter efforts "Blood Feast 2" and "The Uh Oh Show"). There is even footage from rare Lewis films such as the never completed "Eye for an Eye" and "The Magical Land of Mother Goose". The film makers even go so far as to recreate footage from an "Eye for an Eye" by remastering it and adding a soundtrack so that Lewis enthusiasts can finally see, at least part of, this never before seen Lewis film. Many different Lewis alumni are interviewed for this film and there are some terrific segments featuring Lewis and his partner for many of his films, the great exploitationeer David F Friedman. In one of these scenes, the film makers completely recreate the town of "Pleasant Valley" from Lewis' notorious gore epic "2000 Maniacs". To top it all off the film is directed and produced by one of the greatest exploitation film makers in history...Frank Henenlotter ("Basket Case") and includes interviews with John Waters, both of whom were influenced to begin their careers by the work of Herschell Gordon Lewis. An excellent piece of work, well worth repeated viewings but you really have to have an appreciation and previous knowledge of Lewis' work to fully appreciate it!

Packed with more gore and nudity than any documentary I can think of, THE GODFATHER OF GORE is almost like watching a "Greatest Hits" list of Lewis' films, so I'm hoping new comers will be enticed to go back and check out these precursors to Friday THE 13th and HALLOWEEN, and the haters may see what a great guy (if not the greatest director) Herschell Gordon Lewis was (and still is).

Even though I've been a fan of Lewis since reading about him in the 4th issue of FANGORIA way back when, have read 3 books about him, and have met and spoke with him and David Friedman, I still learned some things about him in this wonderfully entertaining and educational tribute that any horror fan interested in the roots of modern horror cinema would be crazy to miss.