DVD Review: DEATH BED: THE BED THAT EATS (1977)

I want to start this review by personally thanking Cult Epics for releasing this lost Horror classic from the 1970's. The film is DEATH BED: THE BED THAT EATS and it was written and directed by George Barry, who has no other film credits to his name. I have heard of this film for some time, but have never got the chance to experience it until now. Notice I said experience it instead of just watch it. This, my friends, is a true experience when it comes to viewing this film. Before I go any further, here is the basic plot from the Cult Epics website:

At the edge of a grand estate, near a crumbling old mansion lies a strange stone building with just a single room. In the room there lies a bed. Born of demonic power, the bed seeks the flesh, blood and life essence of unwary travellers… Three pretty girls arrive on vacation, searching for a place to spend the night. Instead, they tumble into nightmares - and the cruel, insatiable hunger of the Bed! Death Bed is a one-of-a kind experience: comic, horrific and dreamlike, that truly has to be seen to be believed. Discover this neglected marvel of American horror for yourself!

Watch the clip below and you will get a sampling of what you are in store for when you start this film. While gory and gross at times, the movie is also full of dark humor, as was evident from the first scene we see of the bed "eating". A couple stumbles upon the old, run-down, mansion and decides to rest on the bed. The man puts the food he brought for them (apples, a bucket of chicken, and a bottle of wine) on the bed beside them while they begin a heavy make-out session. While the couple is busy, we see the bed slowly begin to eat the food. It eats the apple at first, slowly the apple sinks into the bed amidst a yellow foam...in just a few seconds, we see the eaten apple come back up and back on top of the bed an apple core is returned! The bed also eats the chicken, returning a bucket of bones, and drinks all the wine, replacing the empty bottle up on the bed. When the couple is finally done with their activities, the man turns to get the food and can't believe it. He tells the girl he must have made a mistake and grabbed the wrong food! Great stuff. Unfortunately for the couple (but fortunate for us viewers!), it seems the bed craves more than just a light lunch. The bed craves a heartier meal, mainly the man and woman! We see them get pulled down into the bed amidst that yellow foam again, and are promptly eaten alive! And this is all just in the first few minutes of the film! Many more people come to the bed with similar results. One of the best scenes is when a man is being eaten hand and arms first. Someone comes to help him pull himself out of the bed before he is completely eaten. The man escapes the apatite of the bed, but not without having all the muscle and flesh eaten clean off his hands, leaving him to look down at his skeleton hands in disbelief, yet peculiarly not in any real pain! HA!

This is a great film, one that should be in every Horror fans collection, especially those fans of the drive-in and grindhouse flicks of the 70's. I highly recommend you pick up a copy of DEATH BED: THE BED THAT EATS today...you will not be disappointed!

The dvd contains the following special features:

• Video Introduction by the Director
• 4-Page Liner Notes
• New Transfer from the Original 16mm Print
• Unrated, Uncensored Version

CLICK HERE to purchase a dvd of DEATH BED: THE BED THAT EATS
CLICK HERE to watch a clip from DEATH BED: THE BED THAT EATS

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Cult Epics