The Grapes of Death (1978) (Blu-ray Review)
Director: Jean Rollin
Starring: Marie-Georges Pascal, Félix Marten, Serge Marquand
Rated: UR/Region: A/1:66/1080p/Number of disc: 1
Available from Kino Lorber
Jean Rollins’ acclaimed cult horror film GRAPES OF DEATH stars Brigitte Lahaie as a woman whose vacation takes a horrific turn when she finds herself in a town full of zombie-like killers. Fighting to stay alive, she begins to think the town winery has got something to do with these evil transformations. Could the pesticides used on the grapes be responsible for all this madness?
Jean Rollin takes his style and tosses in a nasty skin infection that is sprinkled with some nice gore in The Grapes of Death. The zombies you get here are somewhat different from what we are use to, but that isn’t at all a bad thing really. Again, the movie does seem to pack that slow pace Jean Rollin likes, but this time around it becomes more tolerable and the movie has a bigger problem than that overall.
Sadly, the last part of the movie isn’t as well-done as the rest of the movie. This means the last act isn’t that great, but things leading up to that point isn’t too bad at all. While the movie isn’t outstanding it is worth a watch. The transfer is again a very strong effort from Kino. It doesn’t standout, but it does seem solid and the colors are really well done. I find it acceptable for those who just love obscure zombie movies.
– Intro by Jean Rollin
– Interview with Jean Rollin
– 16-Page Booklet with an Essay by Tim Lucas
– Trailer
– Trailer of Rollin’s Other Films
