Story: Rupert Everett stars as Francesco Dellamorte, the caretaker of a cemetery where all of its dead seem to come back to life?! He becomes obsessed with a recent widower that seems to like hanging out by her husbands’ gravesite frequently, and who immediately disrobes after only 2 conversations with Francesco. (Wish it was that easy in real life, folks!) Anyways, not sure what happens after that. He keeps falling in love with chicks all played by the same actress, Anna Falchi (The widower) He occasionally blows away a zombie. … Yea, I’m confused too!

The Film Itself: I honestly don’t know the hell to make of this film?! I know it’s regarded as somewhat of a cult classic, but I was confused from the get-go on what kind of genre movie this was trying to be. Is it supposed to be funny? It’s not. Is it supposed to be a silly zombie movie? It’s not. I will say that it is visually brilliant, which I didn’t doubt it would be coming from director Michele Soavi, who also directed another one of my fave Italian horror flicks, Stage Fright. The zombie’s look cool and Rupert Everett is surprisingly great in this. Anna Falchi is smoking hot too! (In all 3 roles that she plays!) I also had a soft spot for Francesco’s best friend, the slow Gnaghi (played by Francois Hadji-Lazaro) who dates the severed head of a girl. (OK. So that’s actually pretty funny.) I guess if you’re into weird Italian horror, I’d give this a viewing. Just be prepared for an oddball movie.

Special Features: Wow. I will admit the featurette “Death Is Beautiful” is actually quite good. It’s these making-of specials that always make me appreciate a movie so much more then I did on initial viewing. The intent of the film is a little clearer here after hearing director Michele Soavi talk about it so in-depthly. There are also welcome interviews from writer Gianna Romoli (who adapted the screenplay from the original novel/comic books) and actress Anna Falchi. (Who’s STILL smoking hot!) Interestingly enough was the fact that the original comic book “Dylan Dog”, which featured the Dellamorte character was drawn based on Rupert. So, it’s only fitting that he played the live action version of the character in the movie. After watching this thoroughly entertaining featurette, I may have to give this movie another try. –Robg.