He’s been called the savior of Italian horror cinema, an actor [he’s the guy next to the chick that pukes up her intestines in Fulci’s chunkblower classic “City of the Living Dead], worked alongside Aristide Massaccesi aka Joe D’Amato, long time protégée of Dario Argento, and director of “The Sect” ’91 aka “The Devil’s Daughter” starring Jamie Lee Curtis’ sister Kelly, “The Church” ‘89, the stylish slasher “Stage Fright” ‘87 as well as this dark zombie horror comedy. If you don’t know by now we are talking the very talented Michele Soavi.

Meet Francesco Dellamorte [Rupert Everett], a cemetery watchman/engineer who, along with his dim wit assistant Gnaghi [Francois Hadji-Lazard], maintain the atmosphere heavy Buffalora Cemetery, a perfectly gloomy place where the recently departed climb out of their graves exactly one week [or so] after being buried. Dellamorte finds new love with beautiful busty [Anna Falchi], a mysterious dark woman whose husband has recently died, and to let’s just say [save spoilers] things get complicated. Gnaghi on the other hand is a grunting slob that…., we’ll…, he’s in love with the decapitated head of a young lady recently killed in a multi death accident when a group of motorcyclist collide head on with a bus. An accident that has stocked the cemetery with a fresh supply of the dead referred to as returners.

But despite all the problems the cemetery offers, this tale is even more so, a bizarre and quite tragic love story that takes several twisty and nasty turns. Soavi & co. deliver a very well made stylish number filled modern gothic charm, witty macabre humor, sex and cleverly funny dialogue like “Mined you own business I will be eaten by whoever I please”, excellent visuals with very slick Argento-ish cinematography; add the decay & foggy cemetery settings, numerous head blasting gore scenes and crusty zombies by f/x master Sergio Stivaletti. Bizarre and even outrageous at times this one is kickass and should satisfy most genre fans.

Originally titled “Dellamorte Dellamore” meaning “Of Death, Of Love”, “Cemetery Man” is not only original but easily one of THE best horror movies of the 90’s with a top notch screenplay by Gianni Romoli who also has Argento’s “Trauma” and Soavi’s “The Church” in his writing credits and based on a story by Italian comic book writer Tiziano Sclavi of “Dylan Dog” fame. Not to mention the catchy score of Riccardo Biseo & Manuel De Sica that sticks in my head for days after I watch it. The film was a hit in Italy but surprisingly a flop world wide. Along with f/x man Sergio Stivaletti’s directorial debut “The Wax Mask”; this is truly the last great horror film to come from Italy to date. [Sorry Dario] One can only hope Italian Horror Cinema rise from the dead to live again; L'orrore italiano Vive!

“Cemetery Man” and I go way back to when I bought it on a whim [Plus the critic quote on the box “Frightfully Funny” by Amy Dawes has the same last name as me] on CBS/FOX video back 1994, my quest for a widescreen copy led to a shoddy Japanese dub as “Dellamorte Dellamore”. Next got the Della Visions region 2 DVD as “Mi Novia Es Un Zombie”, so it just made sense to buy it one last time on Anchor Bay; besides it possesses an excellent 28 minute documentary.

Chock up another one to Anchor Bay DVD for bringing this must have back to life.
Presented at the correct 1.85:1 ratio enhanced for 16 x 9 TV’s with a kickass transfer.

“Death is Beautiful” is a excellent 28 minute documentary with director Michele Soavi, Sergio Stivaletti, Gianni Romoli, Anna Falchi, recounting the making of the film;
8 Page Collectors Booklet;
Theatrical Trailer;
Director bio;