Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

FleshEater 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 5, 2022

As explained in the supplementary material on this UHD release of 1988’s “FleshEater,” Co-writer/director/star Bill Hinzman was interested in cashing in on his own cult fame as the first zombie found in George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” aware that his face was forever associated with the horror classic. “FleshEater” was soon born, with Hinzman endeavoring to create his own epic with a lunch money budget, reviving his old undead ways to fuel what’s basically a loose remake of “Night of the Living Dead,” offering the fanbase a return to the ways of rural survival. The helmer certainly delivers with gore and exploitation elements, but he’s not a storyteller, with the feature coming to a dead stop one too many times, making for a tedious viewing experience.

It’s Halloween, and out to celebrate the holiday are a collection of twentysomethings hunting for a little mischief, taking a tractor ride into the middle of the woods to drink and have sex. A farmer pulling a tree stump out of the ground unearths a coffin covered by an ancient seal carrying a dire warning. Promptly opening the box, the farmer unleashes the FleshEater, a zombie who returns to power, spreading his curse to others as he dines on the partygoers, inspiring violence that spreads to a nearby small town.

Drunk youngsters in the woods coming into contact with a deadly zombie force isn’t fresh ground to cover, but “FleshEater” isn’t too concerned about originality. Hinzman simply wants to hit the sweet spots of the subgenre, and once victims are introduced and evil is released, the picture presents multiple scenes of bodily harm, focusing on bursting bodies and gooey guts, keeping things simple as the zombie plague grows and more people incapable of running away are devoured and destroyed. There’s also substantial nudity to keep fans interested, as the camera lingers on topless women almost as much as bleeding victims.

“FleshEater” has the right idea, but the execution of the movie is incredibly lethargic. Hinzman offers no sense of pace to the feature, frequently resting with real-time events (watch with horror as the farmer….clears away brush from the gravesite!), trying to bring the run time up with frightfully dull scenes that hold no atmosphere or narrative value. The production is reheating “Night of the Living Dead,” but even that creative goal remains elusive, keeping things uninteresting with bland characters and nonexistent suspense, and the rules of the undead tend to change as the film carries on, leading to some confusion concerning the threat level of the monsters.

FleshEater 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screenshots are sourced from the Blu-ray version of "FleshEater."

Originally released on Blu-ray in 2010 by Shriek Show, "FleshEater" is offered an unexpected upgrade from Vinegar Syndrome, who attempt to blow minds with a 4K presentation sourced from the 16mm original camera negative. The viewing experience is extremely pleasant, offering heavy but film- like grain, and detail reaches as far as the original cinematography goes. Skin surfaces and makeup efforts are textured, and gory events retain glistening guts. Costuming is fibrous. Woodsy events and town tours are dimensional, and interiors are open for inspection. Color is exact, with bright blue skies and red blood. Zombie makeovers are distinct, along with the autumnal setting for the feature, which eventually turns into spring in the second half. Costuming brings out period hues, and Halloween additions are varied. Highlights are tasteful, with inviting lighting sources and sunshine. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition.

FleshEater 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers louder, crisp dialogue exchanges from the largely amateur cast. Dramatic emphasis is comfortable, and zombie groans and grunts register as intended. Music carries a defined synth sound, but elements of age and mild damage are noticeable. Sound effects are intentionally broad, capturing the munching of innards and sexual situations. Gunshots are snappy.

FleshEater 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

UHD:

• Commentary features cinematographer Simon Manses, composer Erica Manses, and producer Andrew Sands.

Blu-ray:

• Commentary features cinematographer Simon Manses, composer Erica Manses, and producer Andrew Sands.

• "Zombie Nosh, LLC" (19:35, HD) is an interview with producer Andrew Sands, who's refreshingly excited to explore the production history of "FleshEater." The interviewee details the inspiration for the movie, with director Bill Hinzman trying to cash in on zombie excitement surrounding the colorization of "Night of the Living Dead." As a high school student, Sands worked in the same building as George Romero, getting to know the filmmaker, and he was eventually hired on "FleshEater," doing so many odd jobs he was turned into a producer without his knowledge. Anecdotes are shared about the shoot and its low-budget restraints, and Sands reveals how the endeavor truly is a Hinzman family effort. He closes with some information concerning the creation of the main title sequence.

• "All Roads Lead Back to 'FleshEater'" (18:32, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Simon Manses, who worked on George Romero's "Amusement Park" as a camera assistant, offered a quick moviemaking education during the shoot. Manses would go on to work on "Knightriders" and "Creepshow," eventually getting a job on "FleshEater." The interviewee details the on-the-fly production experience, discussing several challenges and mishaps, also spotlighting his own cameo in the feature.

• "Crushed Pink Grapefruit Brain" (14:40, HD) is an interview with special makeup effects artist Jerry Gergley, who took his love of Dick Smith and Tom Savini and turned it into a career, finding his way in L.A. during the 1980s. Dealing with production disasters, Gergley found his way to "FleshEater" to do some quick work for Bill Hinzman, making up gory sights for the picture. Technical achievements are shared, and props that survived the years are displayed, with Gergley sharing his pride in the film.

• "Family of Flesh Eaters" (9:25, HD) is an interview with Heidi Hinzman, daughter of Bill and actress in "FleshEater." Only a child when she appeared in the feature, Hinzman recalls the shoot as fun times for a kid, loving the atmosphere of low-budget moviemaking and the opportunity to be squibbed. Hinzman delves into her father's professional and cult legacy, getting emotional when discussing how much he enjoyed fan interactions and fame.

• "The Family Continues" (7:27, HD) is an interview with Bonnie Hinzman, who was married to Bill for 39 years. She explores her early time with Bill and George Romero, watching their professional relationship develop. She also tracks Bill's career as he worked on solo moviemaking projects, admitting she had sporadic involvement with "FleshEater."

• "Carnage in Compositions" (7:30, HD) is an interview with composer Erica Manses, who was selected for the job due to her access to instruments, using her music education to develop themes for the movie. Technical challenges with the low-budget effort are also detailed.

• "Meatballs and Missing Actors" (8:01, HD) is an interview with unit manager Paul Giorgi, who carried a Pittsburgh connection to the George Romero legacy, soon finding employment in "FleshEater." Production challenges are recalled, with one member of the cast simply disappearing, never to be seen again. And the budget was so tight, Giorgi was in charge of maintaining a "meatball quota" during meal breaks.

• "Minor Budget Majorette" (7:05, HD) is an interview with hair stylist/makeup artist Terrie Godfrey, who was fresh out of beauty school when she attempted to find a BTS job on Bill Hinzman's "The Majorettes," ending up with the leading role. Godfrey shares many memories of Hinzman, and recalls her struggles with the low-budget reality of "FleshEater."

• "To Live and Die in PA" (8:57, HD) is an interview with actor John Mowod, who recalls his initial meeting with Bill Hinzman, also going into the director's influence during the "FleshEater" shoot, helping his cast with the filmmaking process.

• Still Gallery (9:52) collects BTS snaps, publicity shots, film stills, and VHS cover art.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

FleshEater 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"FleshEater" is a low-budget endeavor meant to celebrate Hinzman's status as top zombie of the subgenre. The creative challenge remains too much for the director, who's much more interested in kill scenes, some of which are decently imagined, but crazy violence isn't enough to get this sleepy effort up and moving.