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NIGHTBEAST (1982)
Directed by Don Dohler
Troma DVD
Reviewed 03.01.07
Review by Joseph A. Ziemba
THE FILM
Right now, I'd like you to think
about making love. Savor the thought.
After Nightbeast, your
perception of carnal bliss will
be forever altered.
In 1982, the late Don Dohler grew
up. Or, depending on who you ask,
he regressed. Either way, Nightbeast
catapulted backyard filmmaker/fanzine
publisher/genre author Dohler into
the "HERE" and "NOW"
circa 1982. In other words, The
Don adjusted the wearisome-yet-quaint
formula of his previous PG "hits"
(The
Alien Factor and Fiend)
and made room for the stuff that
fills seats. Nightbeast
follows the trail of a silver-tuxedo'd
alien monster as he pollutes the
colorful Baltimore 'burbs with:
Tons of cheap gore. A few tan-lined
boobs. Laser guns. Exquisite pool
party padding. And, a sex scene.
Yes, a sex scene. But this isn't
just any old horizontal tussle.
No, this daring act of intimacy
provides an insight to sexual relations
that is provocative yet pitiless;
a level of consciousness usually
reserved for some kind of imminent
Earthly destruction. Forget about
Andy
Milligan. Ignore what you've
learned from The
Best Of Sex And Violence.
When Sheriff Jack ("Can I get
this shirt off?") and Deputy
Lisa ("Yes. Can I get this
towel off?") rigidly embrace
embarrassment in the middle of a
Nightbeast chase, life, as you know
it, will change. You will laugh
ferociously. You will turn away.
You will eventually break down (it's
a long scene). Years from now, your
psyche may recover, but don't bet
on it. Such are the consequences
of being DOHLERIZED.
Is there life after The Scene? Unquestionably.
Nightbeast never disappoints.
It's a disjointed wonder. The film
retains the regional, no-budget
ditziness of Dohler's previous work
and casts (Tom Griffith, George
Stover, Richard Dyszel aka TV horror
host Count Gore De Vol) but excises
monotony and piles on the R-rated
junk. In doing so, the "sole-alien-on-a-gore-rampage"
trash film mini-genre finally reaches
a climax. Nightbeast easily
stomps all over The
Being, graciously kicks
Slithis in the crotch,
and lets off Biohazard
with an I.O.U. Look, it's not just
about the sex. Mr. Nightbeast is
in this for the long run.
After 80 minutes of heavenly trash-gore
satisfaction (I didn't even mention
Drago, the boat-shoe wearing tough
guy!), there is but one critique.
Sheriff Jack. Deputy Lisa. Couldn't
they do it again?!
AUDIO AND VIDEO
I've never seen the Paragon VHS,
but this is the nicest presentation
of a Don Dohler film on DVD thus
far. There's the slightest bit of
ghosting, lots of vintage (and healthy)
film grain, deep contrast and color,
and a surprising amount of clarity.
The actual condition of the print
is about what you'd expect. A little
rough, but always ready and willing.
Nice stuff.
EXTRAS
This bed is still shakin'. Not only
do we get an original home video
trailer (2 minutes), a nose-picking,
gore-laffing, monster-dancing collection
of outtakes and bloopers (7 minutes),
but herein lies a full length commentary
track from Don Dohler himself, with
help from pal George Stover. Since
Don passed away in 2006, this marks
the world's sole opportunity to
hear the director speak about his
work. Happily, it's a terrific,
laid back experience. Like Stover's
solo talks for The Alien Factor
and Fiend, detailed information
is substantial. Nightbeast
gets a full breakdown (literal backyard
filming, earlier versions of the
film, specifics on special effects,
equipment, and actors), while Dohler's
entire filmography is also placed
in context. A delightful listen,
especially for fans of D.D.'s work
and homespun filmmaking in general.
As for the sexy stuff? "I don't
think they'd do that in reality."
We can only hope against hope.
Since this is a Troma DVD (they
acquired the film in the early 1990s,
but had nothing to do with its production),
the usual slew of company trailers,
promos, and dorky Lloyd Kaufman
intros also appear.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Get Dohlerized! The essential Nightbeast
is an unstoppable juggernaut of
homemade, early 80s simplicity.
Plus, it contains the most amazing
sex scene you'll ever wish you'd
never seen (but want to see again...and
again). Can I get this shirt off?
YES. |
Looking for love (in all the wrong
places)
Master N. Beast
And so it begins
Tired of sex
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