Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Redneck Zombies Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 8, 2024

1987’s “Redneck Zombies” is an exercise in excess from director Pericles Lewnes, who looks to combine the broadest of comedy with the grossest of splatter cinema. It’s a promise he intends to keep, presenting a feature that has little interest in pulling back when it comes to extended scenes of extremity. Outrageousness appears to be the end game for the no-budget, shot-on-video endeavor, and such a tone works for a few stretches of the film. As an overall viewing experience, “Redneck Zombies” is more punishing than amusing, with Lewnes lacking a basic sense of pace and restraint when approaching the intended obnoxiousness of the effort. He prefers to go all-in on overkill, making for a very long sit.

Sgt. Robinson (Tyrone Taylor) is a man on a mission, tasked with getting rid of a special barrel containing “chemical toxic warfare waste.” He’s joined by his dog, who provides a distraction great enough to knock the barrel into the woods. Claiming the prize is Jed (William E. Benson), who’s looking to restart moonshine production with a new container, joined by his sons, Junior (P. Floyd Pirhana), Jethro (William Decker), and Elly May (Pericles Lewnes). As the toxic waste seeps into moonshine jars, Elly May commences distribution around the area, offering the tainted booze to thirsty locals. Instead of getting the community drunk, the moonshine transforms everyone into hungry zombies looking to feast on fresh meat, soon targeting campers Wilbur (James H. Housely), Theresa (Darla Deans), Lisa (Lisa M. DeHaven), Andy (Martin J. Wolfman), and Sally (Boo Teasedale), putting the gang on high alert as they attempt to escape the area unharmed.

“Redneck Zombies” slowly brings together two subplots, setting up separate adventures for Jed and his boys, while Wilbur looks to share his love of the great outdoors with his friends, who enjoy complaining about everything. Jed’s arc is one of crazy exaggeration, with the father fighting to maintain control over his idiot kids with Stooge-like authority, trying to bottle his disdain for Elly May’s feminine ways. Jed’s delighted to find a new barrel, ready to restart moonshine production, while his kids are more excited by a visit from the hooded Tobacco Man, who brings nicotine treats for all the good boys and girls in town. “Redneck Zombies” pays closer attention to Jed’s odyssey in the opening half, setting up distribution of the deadly drink, with locals happily downing jars of green liquid, kickstarting a deadly mutation.

Wilbur’s side of “Redneck Zombies” is a little more straightforward, introducing a collection of characters for future killing, finding Lisa the most agitated and focused on survival once the enemy arrives to feast on their flesh. Lewnes certainly doesn’t skimp on the violence in the feature, which is mostly devoted to grisly attacks exploring ripped skin, spurting blood, and overall horror captured in extreme closeup. It’s meant to be nauseating, and it connects as intended, also providing some decent makeup effects for a movie that cost less than a new car to make. It’s not exactly “The Thing,” but “Redneck Zombies” puts on a gore show, and those who generally enjoy such grotesqueness will likely be delighted with all the goop and gristle.

Redneck Zombies Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly transferred and restored from the best quality archival tape master." "Redneck Zombies" does work with better quality equipment and tape, making for a slightly more inviting SOV viewing experience. Elements of damage are present, but the source is largely intact. Detail reaches about as far as possible, offering a general sense of character appearance and gore zone visits, exploring makeup work and the wetness of bodily harm. Locations retain some depth as the action romps around the woods. Color shows some age, but primaries are acceptable on clothing and camping gear. The greenness of toxic moonshine is retained, and red blood is acceptable.

Redneck Zombies Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers intelligibility with dialogue exchanges, tracking the absurdly broad ways of the actors. Scoring supports with a basic synth sound, and soundtrack selections are passable, with reasonably clear vocals and instrumentation.

Redneck Zombies Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features producer Ed Bishop, director Pericles Lewnes, and actress Lisa M. DeHaven.

• Commentary #2 features producer Ed Bishop and director Pericles Lewnes.

• Commentary #3 features podcasters James Branscome and Nick Vance.

• Isolated Score Track is included.

• "Sweet Redneck Memories" (83:02, HD) is an extended making-of for "Redneck Zombies," featuring interviews with director Pericles Lewnes, producer Ed Bishop, Troma honcho Lloyd Kaufman, composer Adrian Bond, and actors Jim Bellistri and Lisa DeHaven. For Lewnes, a showing of "Taxi Driver" changed everything for the young man, who was newly determined to become a filmmaker. Friendship and collaboration was eventually born between Lewnes and Bishop, who set out to make something for the home video market. Fueled by fandom for "The Toxic Avenger," production began on "Redneck Zombies," pulling together close friends to act as cast and crew. Characterization and performances are analyzed, along with Lewnes's command of the production, open to suggestions from all. Locations are recalled, finding the team trying to stay within their $10,000 budget. Technical challenges are identified and creative achievements are celebrated. The path to Troma is also detailed, with Lewnes and Bishop praising the company for their handling of "Redneck Zombies." And while a sequel never came together, this world of low-budget horror carries on in literary form, with the loving tribute, "PillowFace" by Kristopher Rufty.

• "20th Anniversary Director's Cut" (90:16, SD) is an alternate version of "Redneck Zombies."

• Unfinished Making-Of (13:59, SD) is the original pass at a BTS overview of "Redneck Zombies," showcasing the production in motion.

• Deleted Scenes (SD) present "Doctors Extended" (1:47), "Original Hikers/Soldier Intro" (2:38), "Andy's Tale" (:46), "Secret Ingredient" (4:22), "Counting Cases" (1:18), "Campfire/Transformations Extended" (6:25), "Search Party" (1:18), and "Bob's Trip Extended" (1:13).

• Outtakes (43:05, SD) is an extended look at blown lines, giggle fits, and general blood-smeared camaraderie on the set of "Redneck Zombies."

• "Crabtown, U.S.A." (2:51, SD) is a 1986 cable access program that inspired the creation of "Redneck Zombies."

• "In Memoriam" (1:12, HD) pays tribute to cast and crew members lost over the years.

• Archival Interviews (SD) include director Pericles Lewnes (9:59), producer Ed Bishop (9:30), associate producer William E. Benson (2:46), co- producer Bill Decker (3:00), set mother Sandy Bishop (1:25), composer Adrian Bond (2:27), actress Lisa M. DeHaven (3:02), actress Alex Lewnes (1:11), actor Bucky Santini (3:26), crew member Jeff McKinstry (2:31), actor Tyrone Taylor (2:23), and actor Martin J. Wolfman (2:29).

• And the Original Trailer (1:46, SD), Troma Trailer (2:49, SD), and Trans World Entertainment Trailer (1:21, SD) are included.

Redneck Zombies Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Redneck Zombies" has the one joke, and it drives it into the ground, watching dim-witted characters deal carelessly with responsibility and survival. The actual comedic value of the feature is open for debate, but Lewnes certainly doesn't do well with timing, allowing most scenes to carry on into staleness. Performances are nuclear, which wears thin over the run time. And the general scope of the effort is small, with scenes following characters running around the woods usually followed by scenes watching characters run around the woods. There's not a lot to the picture beyond camp and volume, which works in small doses, but Lewnes isn't big on portion control, turning his ode to silliness and bloodshed into a tedious viewing experience.