Doc of the Dead

Dir: Alexandre O. Philippe

2014

****

Doc of the Dead promises the complete history of what we all refer to as a 'Zombie' and while it does deliver, it's not quite the comprehensive documentary I had hoped it would be. However, director Alexandre O. Philippe does cut to the chase and gives the audience what they really want, such as great interviews with Zombie masters such as Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Max Brooks (World War Z), Alex Cox (Repo Chick), Stuart Gordon (From Beyond), Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), horror every-man Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead), inventor of the Zombie as we know it George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead) and my personal hero Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness), who in one rather brilliant scene, marries a young couple who, along with their entire family, are dressed and are acting like Zombies. The documentary delves into the Zombie phenomenon and speculates what participants see in it while also asking Zombie pioneers, such as Romero, what they think of it all. The answers are quite surprising. There wasn't as much time spent on films such as I Walked with a Zombie for my liking and I'm shocked that the Italian Zombi films are never once referenced but the film is separated by chapter quite brilliantly with spoof-like short clips that explain pretty much everything you need to know about the history, structure and the clichés that make a great Zombie movie. It's easy watching for those that love a good Zombie film but nothing new for fans of the genre, what it does do well is show us the people who make the movement. I loved the interviews, I've met many of them at conventions and after speaking with some at length I feel Alexandre O. Philippe really has got the best of them that he could. It's worth watching for the Bruce Campbell Zombie wedding alone to be honest!