Deep Undead Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		2.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

Deep Undead Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 16, 2023

Working out his filmmaking interests with shot-on-video productions, writer/director Dave Castiglione dares to go underwater with 2005’s “Deep Undead,” striving to create an epic mystery about the dangers of the ocean, the corruption of corporations, and the threat of mutant monsters. It’s a promising idea handed leaden execution by the helmer, who can’t achieve the basics in pace and suspense with the feature, which is represented on the disc in a 2019 “Director’s Cut,” which adds 20 minutes of footage to a picture that’s already 45 minutes too long.

There’s trouble in Virginia waters near a nuclear power plant, with expert diver Kirk (David Maul) hired to find a pair of missing people searching the site of a shipwreck. Instead of locating bodies, he discovers something strange going on with the company Miles Power, which also triggers curiosity from local reporter Megan (Pamela Sutch), who begins to investigate the mystery of the waters and the dangerous inhabitants of the deep.

The big selling point of “Deep Undead” is underwater footage, with Castiglione managing to make his way into the ocean, creating a sense of authenticity for this tale of aquatic dangers. Trouble is, the helmer doesn’t really know what to do once he gets wet, with lengthy sequences of divers hunting around the depths putting what little here passes for story on pause, screwing with any sort of dramatic rhythm the production is hoping to achieve. “Deep Undead” makes a critical moviemaking error by being deathly dull, with Castiglione failing to amplify threats and investigation efforts, and his attempt to melt minds with turns of plot are flattened by the endeavor’s refusal to do anything, anything, in a timely manner.

Deep Undead Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is a typical SOV viewing experience, with a soft appearance that doesn't offer fine detail, only achieving a basic understanding of frame elements. Color is also aged, with only simple primaries making much of an impression, while underwater footage occasionally turns black and white, hopefully intentionally. Compression issues are common, with banding detected.

Deep Undead Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix secures a basic understanding of dialogue exchanges, with performances battling technical limitations and background noise. Intelligibility is adequate. Scoring isn't forceful, supporting with a milder synth sound. Sound effects are blunt.

Deep Undead Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Original 2005 Version (84:36, SD) is the VHS cut of the feature.

• Commentary features writer/director Dave Castiglione.

• "Diving Deeper into 'Deep Undead'" (81:34, HD) is a new making-of for the feature, featuring interviews with writer/director Dave Castiglione and actors Phil Herman, Laura Giglio, Debbie D, Mick McCleery, and composer Matt Cannon.

• Cast and Crew Q&A (19:01, HD) is a 2019 discussion of "Deep Undead," captured at the Blue Moon Theater. Interviewees include writer/director Dave Castiglione, composer Matt Cannon, and actors Pamela Sutch, Vince Butler, and Laura Giglio.

• "Beyond the 'Deep Undead'" (26:27, SD) is an archival making-of for the feature, featuring interviews with members of the cast and crew.

• Alternate Ending (4:19, SD) is offered.

• Outtakes (11:05, SD) provide a showcase of flubbed lines, missed cues and marks, and assorted mistakes that interrupted filming.

• Open House (11:50, HD) is a short film from director Matt Cannon, starring Dave Castiglione.

• Image Galley (8:45) collects BTS snaps, publicity shots, and VHS art.

• And a Trailer (1:19, SD) is included.

Deep Undead Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Castiglione gets ambitious with a prologue set in 1923, but he can't overcome no-budget limitations. Stabs at humor are largely mean-spirited (the picture even includes an outtake for reasons unknown), and screen tension is nonexistent, with weirdness hitting the feature in the final act, coming way too late to make an impression. "Deep Undead" doesn't have much visual or thespian power, and the screenplay wants to achieve a sense of menace without putting in the work to deliver meaningful dialogue and memorable characters. "Deep Undead" isn't a goof, with Castiglione trying something different for an SOV endeavor, but simply going underwater isn't enough to support an idea best suited for a short film.