Blu-ray Review: CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS (1972)

CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS
Directed by  Bob Clark
Distributed by VCI Entertainment

 Tonight's review is another great example of a film I've always heard about, but have never had the chance to see.   CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS  is a must have for any zombie film fan.  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of the VCI website:

 Led by a mean-spirited director, Alan (Alan Ormsby), a theater troupe travels by boat to a small island graveyard for buried criminals. Using a grimoire, Alan begins a séance to raise the dead. The group finds more than they bargained for when the dead return from their graves, forcing the troupe to take refuge in an old abandoned caretaker’s house. Can they stay put until daylight against the undead onslaught, or do they flee into the pitch black night? Will anyone survive?

  First off, let me be more accurate in my statement from above.  This film is  must have for any low-budget and campy zombie film fan.  I think TV shows like THE WALKING DEAD and big budget zombie films have us used to amazing looking zombies and effects.   You gotta remember this film is from the early 70's, so the zombie makeup/effects are a lot different from what we see nowadays.  I'm not saying they are bad by any means, but just different.    

  I have to admit the films starts off pretty slowly.  I checked the running time and it is listed as 87 minutes, but this film seemed quite a bit longer than that.  It's slow going in the beginning, but stick with it and you will be rewarded with a really fun zombie film.  Once the zombie action does start, it never lets up.  This film has some great camera angles and some very creepy scenes and imagery.   One of my favorite scenes is when it is pitch black outside, and the people locked in the house point a flashlight out the window to see the zombies.   The camera pan to the right and all you see is pitch blackness until a zombie comes into sight under the light of the flashlight.  This is very spooky and a very effective scene.  

  One more thing worth noting was the sound/music.  A lot of the film is set out in a graveyard and the background music and sound effects are very eerie.  If you could isolate that background music and sounds it would be the perfect haunted house music.   

  CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS is available now from VCI Entertainment.   The film looks great on this newly restored film transfer and includes the following amazing special features:

*  Liner Notes written by Mike Kenny, Mike’s Pop Culture Playhouse
*  Reversable Coverwrap with Optional Fan-Inspired 3rd Cover Art
*  Commentary Track with Alan Ormsby, Jane Daly and Anya Cronin: accompanies the HD feature
*  Bonus: Complete alternate “U.K.” version, with commentary by Alan Ormsby hosted by David      Gregory, Severin Films
*  Memories of Bob Clark: A tribute to the late Director.
*  Grindhouse Q&A
*  Confessions of a Grave Digger: Interview with Ken Goch
*  Photo Gallery
*  “Dead Girls Don’t Say No” Music video by The Deadthings
*  “Cemetery Mary” Music video by The Deadthings
*  Tribute Video
*  Original Theatrical Trailer
*  Radio Spots with Alan Ormsby


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray