Movie Review: The Lost Films of Herschell Gordon Lewis

When the word “lost” is used referring to the films of a very popular cult filmmaker come to mind people tend to listen. Some movies are just fine staying lost, but when those films are from the great Herschel Gordon Lewis (Blood Feast, 2000 Maniacs, and The Gore Gore Girls), good or bad, you just need to see what they’re about.  HG Lewis shot three sex films between 1969 and 1971 that fell completely off the radar – The Ecstasies of Women, Linda and Abilene and Black Love all under the pseudonyms of Mark Hansen and R.L Smith.  Thanks to some major digging in film vaults the movie archaeologists over at Vinegar Syndrome have unearthed all three films and remastered them for their debut release. The Lost Films of Herschell Gordon Lewis Blu-ray / DVD Combo is Vinegar Syndrome's launch title  Debuts are make or break for any new company but with H.G Lewis’ name attached to these creations it could be something enjoyable for fans of Lewis.

The first film on the Blu-ray (all chronological) is the 1969 sex comedy The Ecstasies of Women. Nearly half of “Ecstasies” takes place in a titty bar with numerous topless gals bouncing their massive areola in the background. A group of gentlemen sit at a table chatting with the various strippers. Their pal Harry (Walter Camp) is enjoying a bachelor party the boys are throwing for him. Stories are told by Walter that usually lead to him nailing a beautiful woman.

Movie Review: The Blood Trilogy (1963-1965, Blu-Ray)

For the better part of twenty years now, Something Weird Video has unleashed the rare, the sexy, the gory and the just plain ridiculous upon VHS, DVD owners and now, amazingly, the Blu-Ray market. Yes, I said it, Something Weird Video is now releasing titles in high-definition! These aren’t obscurities like Doctor Doom, The Atomic Brain and Johnny Firecloud but four of the biggest titles in their library – Basket Case and Herschell Gordon Lewis’ The Blood Trilogy (Blood Feast, 2000 Maniacs and Color Me Blood Red). I’ve been waiting for the day to see HG Lewis’ most famous films on the Blu-ray format, and now it’s here.

Movie Review: Herschell Gordon Lewis:The Godfather of Gore (2011)

Over the course of film history few directors can really lay claim that they created something that would later become a phenomenon in movies. Herschell Gordon Lewis is one of those "few" that can. Herschell Gordon Lewis’ unique creation became known as the “gore” film. Although some filmmakersdid use gore for shock value, much like how Dwain Esper did it in Maniac backin the 1930's. No one quite went to the outrageous extremes that Lewis went with his Blood Trilogy (Blood Feast, 2000 Maniacs and Color Me Blood Red).Lewis was a renaissance man in a sense and continues this path into his early 80’s by still making movies and doing direct marketing.

Buy The Godfather of Gore on DVD

"Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore" and "The Blood Trilogy" coming to DVD and Blu-ray September 27th.

Chatsworth, CA – He’s been hailed as a visionary and as a provocateur. His films have legions of fans, and just as many detractors. In 1963, he introduced stunned audiences to a new kind of cinema with Blood Feast – and in the process single-handedly launched “splatter cinema.” He is writer/director Herschell Gordon Lewis and he is truly the “Godfather of Gore.” On September 27, Image Entertainment and Something Weird pay homage to a true cinematic legend with the DVD release of Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore, and the high definition premieres of grindhouse classics Blood Feast, Two Thousand Maniacs and Color Me Blood Red with The Blood Trilogy Blu-ray™ Special Edition!

Buy Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore on DVD and The Blood Trilogy Blu-ray

With a $14.98 SRP for the DVD, and a $17.97 SRP for the Blu-ray™, fans will have a chance to not only explore the wild world of Lewis and his exploitation films, but they will be able to experience every splat, every slice and every drop of fake blood and guts in full 1080p glory! In addition, each release contains a crypt-full of special bonus features including audio commentaries, deleted scenes, outtakes, original theatrical trailers and art galleries. Pre-book is August 30th.

Interview: HG Lewis, the Godfather of Gore!

Heather Henshaw got a chance to sit down with the Godfather of Gore, HG Lewis, and talked about his new film The Uh Oh Show and earlier films.

1) Before the release of Blood Feast, did you anticipate any outcry because of the content?

Oh, yes. Early reactions in my cutting room warned me of an outcry … if any theatre might be brave enough to show the film and any moviegoers stupid enough to pay to see it.

2) Of the three films known as the "Blood Trilogy" (Blood Feast, Color Me Blood Red, 2000 Maniacs) what is your favorite and why?

Not just of the Trilogy but of all the movies I’ve made, “Two Thousand Maniacs” is my personal favorite. Maybe that’s because it’s my voice on the sing-song title music, which I also wrote … but more probably, it’s because we proved it’s possible to produce a playable and watchable horror movie without star names and expensive effects.