The Eschatrilogy: Book of the Dead

I was fortunate enough to attend the premiere on 7th September and thoroughly enjoyed this film.    Three stories cleverly interlinking with each other which had me trying to guess how the story would unfold. I even started to build a rapport with some of the characters, albeit unlikely ones and was egging them on .. Naturally not going to give anything away now!   This film is deemed a low budget film, it sure doesn't give that impression to me as the editing and music were 1st class.  Various locations were used as well as a decent sized cast who clearly were giving it their all. The only negative aspect, which isn't really one is that I wanted it to be longer, I didn't want it to end.   Could there be a sequel? .. Yes please says me! ... You will not be disappointed, go see it!

I love horror films. Not the gorefests, or the ones that exist only to make you jump out of your seat every two seconds. No, I like CLEVER horror films - ones that make you think, keep you guessing and twist your perceptions of what you think you know. The Eschatrilogy is such a film.

When a stranger walks into the refuge of a lone young man following what looks like the end of civilization, and then faints at his feet, the man finds a book telling of 3 stories involving 3 different protagonists. This is the true genius of Damian Morter's storytelling, as you are treated to 3 sub-stories all interwoven together to slowly help the man (and the audience) put together the pieces of how things came to pass. Each story is wonderfully shot and told, and the actors (especially the children) are superb in showing everyday people faced with extraordinary choices.

Without giving any spoilers, let's just say characters from each story turn up in the other tales to varying degrees, helping to give a sense of continuity to events rather than it being 3 random stories. So what happens once he's read the book and the stranger wakes up? Well, that's a story in itself, and one that brings the film to a logical, yet fiendishly clever conclusion.

Look out for cameo appearances from Sarah Jane Honeywell (of CBeebies fame) and several other reasonably well known actors, all of whom lend a sense of credibility to an inexperienced but talented cast who will no doubt go on to great success following this work. If there's one small criticism, the opening 10 minutes could probably be trimmed but make no mistake - this is one of the best films of the year. Filmed on peanuts, with a cast of over 300 volunteers and with excellent cinematography, sound and a chilling score, catch this one on the horror convention circuit or eagerly await the DVD release in 2013. Clever, thoughtful and in places heart-tugging, this is no ordinary chiller!

If it's so bad then why did i give it an average score?.... Hmmmmm!. The acting is just terrible and i am pretty sure i have seen more convincing performances on TV adverts. The script makes Eastenders look half way impressive (Impossible feat i know) and as for the special effects. Well, they wouldn't look out of place on Red Dwarf. Still, i had such a laugh watching this film that i can forgive just how awful it is. It's one of them very rare 1 or 10 star rated films depending on your mood kind've like sandsharks. Anyways, i did enjoy it (for all the wrong reasons) and it's full of just about every zombie cliché out there ripped from everything from the original Dead trilogy to 28 days/months later (The stalking zombie was a highlight <3 ). The reason it gets 5 stars is because as i said it's soooooo bad but so funny that it deserves 10 stars, but also so bad that it deserves nil. Much love to the director/writer we need more garbage like this. If for nothing else but to make us realise just how good Romero's original trilogy is. Clearly the reviewers that gave such steller reviews were cast/crew/friends etc. Still, it has to be said that it was a fun hour and half just picking out how bad everything was. As for the score..... Rarely do i notice a score in films, but this stood out like a sore thumb. A film for the true masochist :D

It is easy to be cynical about the state of play of the filmmaking industry in Britain with the recent closing of the UK Film Council and the cuts made to arts funding by the government. Low-budget independent productions such as The Eschatrilogy blow these doubts out of the water, however, as they prove that money isn't everything. What is really important is the creative collective drive of passionate filmmakers determined to make something special and passion is something this film has by the bucket load.

The film opens with a montage of sole survivor Matthew (Tim Mcgill Grieveson) biding his time in a desolate forest hut. In between transporting zombie roadkill to the forest in a wheelbarrow he attempts to send out radio signals for other potential survivors. This sequence is beautifully shot, edited and acted, giving an indication of the fantastic cinematography right from the get-go. Although it is a lengthy scene to begin the film, we really get a sense of Matthew's loneliness and depravity in a bleak situation and this sets the tone for the three 'nightmare' segments that follow: 'Dead Inside', 'The Dying Breed' and 'A Father For The Dead'.

Now I won't spoil either of the stories - it is really something you have to see to believe how well the three sections are tied together by the survivor plot - but I can tell you that you won't have seen anything like this before. Clearly Romero's zombie series was a huge inspiration for The Eschatrilogy; however never once did you witness Romero's zombies show emotion and remorse for the beasts they had become. The overriding theme here is family and, like Romero, director/writer/actor Damian Morter weaves what can be interpreted as a social commentary of the present day. Cal (Morter) travels the land whilst documenting tales of horror in his book to act as a warning for others to support one another no matter what the circumstances. It goes to show that in the midst of economic crisis and war faith can be restored in humanity by supporting family and friends through difficult times.

In short: watch this film if you are even marginally interested in British horror. I can assure you that you won't believe it is such a low-budget production with all the talent on display. Safehouse Pictures UK is certainly an independent company to watch out for in the future.

Both the storyline and the technical work put into this film are excellent. Home grown talent within the North of the UK, the professionalism portrayed by the cast, crew and the directors shines through. Unlike many movies of this genre that I have seen, the special effects are very realistic. The storyline has your mind wondering and on the edge of your seat, with a brilliant twist at the end. This film keeps the audience in suspense and left me wanting more!

I find that the fact the director (Damian Morter) both directs and stars in the film complimentary to the ethics of this movie. Both Husband and wife (Nicola Morter) have worked together on this and this can be seen, as despite the movie being about zombies, it has a very humanistic, thought provoking storyline. It is not just your stereo-typical all blood and gore zombie movie, but it actually touches the heart of the audience and would delve into the heart of even the most hardened of zombie movie addict.

This movie appeals to both men and women, providing a good balance of SFX with a safe measure of a compassion of what a person would go through if they were to be in this type of situation.

The acting from both the main actors and the rest of the cast is believable and consistent throughout the whole of the movie. Especially, the eeriness of the children in the film, who act their parts out very well. All round a brilliant movie a definite must see!