City Of The Living Dead (1980)

I’m familiar with Italian horror maestro Lucio Fulci, having seen Zombi 2 and The Beyond (though a long time ago; I mainly remember the eerie ending), but have never seen his complete ‘Gates Of Hell’ trilogy (The Beyond is the middle film). Maybe I was reluctant because I knew how gross and violent these films would be – but this year, I felt like going towards those extremes. The first of this thematic trilogy, City Of The Living Dead (1980; Paura nella città dei morti viventi) followed Zombi 2’s success but took a more Lovecraftian approach to horror. In the town of Dunwich, a priest commits suicide by hanging himself, setting in motion the return of the livingdead and the gates of hell remaining open (the town has a Salemesque history of witches and persecuting them). A sleazy reporter (Christopher George) teams up with a traumatised psychic (Catriona MacColl) to stop this predicted apocalypse before the arrival of All Saints Day – along with the help of the town’s psychologist Gerry (Carlo De Mejo). Meanwhile, an atmospheric mist and wind blows throughout the town and people have visions of the dead priest, usually before some really gross, protracted splatter happens. Yes, this film is not for the squeamish with some really over the top violence that usually includes blood, guts and brain matter (maybe the key visual motif of the movie) – I was astounded and appreciative of key scenes where Fulci really pushes it. There is an immersive sense of style in City Of The Living Dead from the use of close ups to lighting changes when the undead appear to the way Fulci stretches out the oncoming grisliness to breaking point. That, and during a scene when showers of maggots blew open a window and rained upon characters for five minutes straight, I couldn’t help but applaud. Great moody prog synth score by Fabio Frizzi, which adds to the sense of atmosphere and suspense. I look forward to revisiting The Beyond and capping things off with The House By The Cemetery. Recommended (only if you handle gross out horror).