DVD Review: TRAILERS FROM HELL V. 1

For those that aren't familiar with the Trailers From Hell website, I suggest you go check it out. The site hosts a collection of old, rare, or just rarely seen trailers for all sorts of old genre films. But the best thing about the trailers, is that each one is "hosted" by a famous film director, who does commentary throughout the trailer.

The great folks at Trailers From Hell have now put some of their greatest trailers onto a DVD called, TRAILERS FROM HELL-VOL. 1 !

Here is how Trailers From Hell got started, from the official TFH website:

"TRAILERS FROM HELL is the brainchild of film director Joe Dante, new media entrepreneur Jonas Hudson, graphic artist Charlie Largent and producer Elizabeth Stanley. The series was born out of their mutual love of classic films of all types, but particularly horror and exploitation films."

The DVD has 5 directors hosting 4 trailers each. You will hear running commentary over the trailers from Joe Dante (Gremlins), Mick Garris (The Stand), John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), and Eli Roth (Hostel). The commentary can be insightful, but mostly it is just humorous notations about the film or the actual trailer itself. I'm not sure if the directors got to choose the trailers they wanted to discus or not, but it seems like they did, in that most all of the directors comment on the trailers about why the films stand out so much to them, reliving memories of the first time they saw some of the films.

It was really enjoyable to see and hear what these directors had to say about these films. Usually behind the camera with only their visions of their film on screen to see, with this DVD we actually get to see and hear in thier own voice their thoughts and opinions on these films.

My only complaint with this DVD was that is was too short....as enjoyable as it was, I wasn't ready for it to be over just yet! But, have no fear, this DVD is labeled Volume 1, so I am very certain that we will have a Volume 2 to enjoy soon, and then hopefully many more to come!

One more thing...as an added bonus on the DVD, you get the full length feature 1933 film, THE VAMPIRE BAT, as well as two classic cartoons, "The Haunted Ship" (1930) and "The Headless Horseman" (1934)!

CLICK HERE to see an example of a "Trailer From Hell"! This is the trailer for THE TINGLER featuring commentary from Joe Dante.

CLICK HERE to purchase your own DVD of TRAILER FROM HELL-Vol. 1