Blood Feast (1963) - Herschell Gordon Lewis
Related: serial killer - gore - slasher - Herschell Gordon Lewis - exploitation
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Blood Feast, a 1963 film directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis, is an American exploitation film often considered the first "gore" or slasher film. It was produced by David F. Friedman. The screenplay was written by Alison Louise Downe, an actress who had previously appeared in several of Lewis's other films. Lewis also wrote the film's score.
The movie was banned in Germany by a court in Karlsruhe, Germany in January 2004.
Well loved by Lewis's fans, and by low-budget cinema buffs in general, Blood Feast is an acquired taste. It's a horror film about an insane Egyptian caterer who kills people so that he can include their body parts in his meals. Blood Feast became notorious, however, for its explicit blood, gore and violence. Many people consider its most infamous moment to be when the murderer rips a young woman's tongue out on camera. (An effect achieved with fake blood and a sheep's tongue.)
It is also noted for its bad direction and acting. Particularly entertaining was the performance of Mal Arnold, playing the part of Fuad Ramses, called by author Christopher Wayne Curry in his book A Taste of Blood: The Films Of Herschell Gordon Lewis "the original 'machete-wielding madman', and the forerunner" to similar characters in the Friday the 13th and Halloween series of films.
Blood Feast is the first part of what the director's fans have dubbed "The Blood Trilogy". Rounding out the trilogy are the films 2000 Maniacs and Color Me Blood Red.
A comedic sequel/remake, Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat, was released in 2002. It marked the first time Lewis and Friedman worked together on a movie in several years. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_Feast [Mar 2005]
see also: HGLewis - gore - slasher film
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