Erotic Nights of the Living Dead (Media Blasters) Review

Distributor: Shriek Show / Media Blasters Edition Details: Explicit Uncut Version DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic, Feature Film, Horror, Foreign Also known as: Sexy Nights of the Living Dead, Le Notti Erotiche Dei Morti Viventi, Emmanuelle vs the Erotic Night of the Living Nods Run Time: 112 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1980 Director: Joe D'Amato Written by: George Eastman (as Tom Salina) Cast: Laura Gemser, George Eastman, Dirce Funari, Mark Shannon, Lucia Ramirez, Lola Burdan, Chantal Rubel Voices: Carolyn De Fonseca Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (dubbed) Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 (anamorphic) Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Erotic Nights of the Living Dead is a horror and adult film combination from writer George Eastman and director Joe D'Amato. Erotic Nights of the Living Dead was shot at the same time as Joe D'Amato's horror and adult film combination Porno Holocaust. Out of the two films, Erotic Nights of the Living Dead is far superior to Porno Holocaust in this reviewer's opinion.

In Erotic Nights of the Living Dead, John Wilson's (Mark Shannon) firm has leased Cat Island for 20 years with plans to put a hotel on it. John Wilson has been sent to survey the island for the development. He hires Larry O'Hara (George Eastman) to transport him to the supposedly uninhabited island and the two, along with Fiona (Dirce Funari) head out to the island. Unbeknownst to John Wilson but known to the locals, Cat Island is under a Voodoo curse and is inhabited by zombies lead by felines.

Joe D'Amato lets the viewer know from the very beginning of Erotic Nights of the Living Dead that things aren't going to go well for the main characters. The film starts at the provincial psychiatric hospital after the events covered in the film have happened. Then quickly the viewer is whisked back to when it all started happening and the viewer finds out how Larry ends up in the psychiatric hospital.

The story for Erotic Nights of the Living Dead isn't bad. The story doesn't really go for surprising the viewer at all nor does the story really go for any chills. However, it is fun to watch the film play out. The biggest issue with the story is that it drags in some places rather bad. Joe D'Amato would have done the film a big favor by trimming about 30 minutes. There is a little gore in the film but, honestly, way less than this reviewer was expecting.

Erotic Nights of the Living Dead is a hardcore film; however, there really isn't much actual hardcore material in the film. There are plentiful sex scenes in the film; most of them are entirely softcore though and the few hardcore ones are filled with more softcore footage than hardcore footage.

Erotic Nights of the Living Dead does have its issues; however, the film is still worth viewing despite the problems. The story is interesting and Joe D'Amato has done some fun things with the film. Just don't go in expecting a gory horror and sex-filled film.

Media Blasters, using their Shriek Show imprint, has done a nice job with their DVD release of Erotic Nights of the Living Dead. Erotic Nights of the Living Dead was shot on 35mm film, and it looks like Media Blasters has used a film print for this release. The version of Erotic Nights of the Living Dead included on this release is the explicit uncut version. Erotic Nights of the Living Dead is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 480i. The image quality on the release looks good — the picture sports artifacts and print damage. The colors in the film look nice.

Erotic Nights of the Living Dead is presented with a dubbed English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track. The sound presentation on the release sounds good. The dialog is clear and easy to understand at all times. Unfortunately, Media Blasters has only included the dubbed English audio track. The original Italian audio track with English subtitles would have been a welcome inclusion.

Media Blasters has included a few extras on this release. “Erotic Sunny Afternoons of the Living Dead” is a 27-minute featurette with alternate footage. There is a production still and Laura Gemser photo gallery. And there is a theatrical trailer for the film under the name Sexy Nights of the Living Dead.

Erotic Nights of the Living Dead is a decent horror and adult film mix from Joe D'Amato. The film does run a little long, is light on the hardcore, and a bit light on the horror, and drags in some places but the story is decent, and the film does make for enjoyable viewing. Media Blasters has done a good job with their DVD release of Erotic Nights of the Living Dead with good video and audio quality.

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