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Category:    Home > Reviews > Horror > Comedy > Satire > Spoof > Zombies > Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things – 35th Anniversary Exhumed Edition (1972/VCI DVD)

Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things – 35th Anniversary Exhumed Edition (1972/VCI DVD)

Picture: C     Sound: C     Extras: B+     Film: B+
 

Completely cheesy and hokey, but regardless of that, somehow Bob Clark’s Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things still manages to give the creeps.  The story is about an acting troupe lured to an out of the way cemetery by their director, played by Alan Ormsby.  A few words of hocus-pocus later, and what was jokingly intending to raise nothing more than a scare out of his actors, truly does manage to revive the rotting corpses and send them after the troupe.

It’s seemingly indescribable - the acting is fairly atrocious, and the gore level really isn't high at all. Clark’s direction is capable, but there are many times where the script just mills about and there is little left for a director to compensate with.  But still, when the dead begin to rise from their graves en masse - it's perfectly chilling.

One other film sequence that I feel has a similar effect is the "Father's Day" story out of the collaboration between Stephen King and George Romero, Creepshow.  While each of these movies handles these scenarios in very different ways (In Father’s Day we are treated to only a single zombie), the comic book come to life feeling is captured well in both instances.  The music chosen in both cases is memorable creepy, and certainly adds to the feel of the scenes.

Both Romero’s film and Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things have a kind of charm that is missing from modern horror.  These films should be sought out by those feeling that there has been missing something from the endless parade of remakes and re-imaginings that we have today.  Fortunately, these films are now available with added bonus material that wasn’t available some years ago when these titles first released.

 

Thankfully, VCI has seen fit to reissue the title at hand on two occasions, both of which provide the same additional content.  Unfortunately for those seeking the extra content given to Creepshow, you’ll have to seek out the British DVD import.
 
Sadly, Bob Clark passed away before being able to helm a sequel to Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, or a remake, which was also proposed.  He will best be remembered for his now classic film, A Christmas Story, as well as his other contributions to Canadian Horror - Black Christmas and Dead of Night (a.k.a. Deathdream).
 
The sound and video are only so good here, but you could do much worse.  Some noticeable grain and a murky transfer will turn off some, but it is improved slightly over the prior release.  The film is presented with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and is anamorphically enhanced.  The sound here is Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono.

As mentioned earlier, there is new bonus content in the form of commentary, interviews and tributes to the film, as well as a memoriam for the late director, Bob Clark.
 
In spite of the obvious flaws and any problems that one might have with various aspects of this film, it is still an excellent example of a good schlocky movie.  For those of you who are interested, pick it up immediately and share - it is a horror experience for all to enjoy.


 David Milchick


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