Some of the great films and movements in horror cinema have come from independent filmmakers working with minimal resources. Herk Harvey’s Carnival of Souls (1962), Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968) and Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead (1981) are obvious examples, the latter two at least proving to be epicentres of seismic change in the genre. They remain powerful influences on horror film directors even today — not to mention making Grand Masters of their directors.
Now a new hell is breaking out!
Hell on Earth (US-2009; dir. ted A. Bohus)
Hell on Earth — which has just been completed and is awaiting distribution — has a distinct feel of Raimi’s masterpiece about it, at least from early indications. Check out the first trailer:
Director Ted A. Bohus has an obvious predilection for physical make-up SFX, thus giving his films that gooey, ropy, unsanitised feel that was so characteristic of monster films of the 1980s — which was the era in which Bohus stepped onto the bloody stage. He is the producer, writer or director of such exploitation horror films as The Deadly Spawn (1983), Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor (1990), and Vampire Vixens from Venus (1995). As you can see from the respective artwork for these films, he has a fondness for grotesque creatures, teeth and scantily clad women — all prime ingredients of any exploitation horror film career.
Bohus described Hell on Earth to Undead Backbrain thus:
HELL ON EARTH uses the classic theme of humans fighting their way out of an impossible situation. Of course this “impossible situation” just happens to be infested with all sorts of monsters, demons, and undead creatures.
Bobby walks with the help of metal leg braces and lives with his nasty parents and repulsive sister. He plays with “imaginary friends” provided by the mysterious and ancient “Apocryphal Book of Tarkuhm” given to him by his eccentric and somewhat crazy Aunt Sadie. What he does not know is the monsters and demons are only biding their time until the planets are aligned and they can get him to read the passage freeing their master from another universe.
As this process begins, more and more bizarre creatures breach the portal of this world and magically seal everyone in the house including Bobby, his parents, sister Peggy, her partying friends, and Aunt Sadie. Things get nasty as one by one the inhabitants of the house fall prey to the ever increasing hoard of creatures.
Finally Bobby himself is possessed by the majestic leader of the demons. Who will survive? Who will discover the way to destroy these strange creatures and save the Earth?
Two of Peggy’s friends finally discover that the secret to destroying the creatures is “The Book.” As the Bobby/Demon is firing plasma bolts and electricity, the last couple alive is being stalked by bizarre monsters.
At the last minute as the Demon is about to destroy everything with a tremendous blast of lightning…
To Be Continued (with lots more pictures)….
- Sources: Ted A. Bohus; Official Bohus site; via Avery
This one looks so cool! Ahh the memories of those great 80’s gorefests! Ted’s an awesome guy too and I’m a big fan of his work. “The Deadly Spawn” and “Metamorphosis: The Alien Factor” are two of my all-time favorites!!
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