THE REAL AND GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON

Severin Films recently launched a web store in the United Kingdom and despite the catalogue being understandably limited at this early stage, there is an enticing selection of exploitation cult classics. Complementing this assorted variety is the documentary feature Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson, a title so long that it screws with my website’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

Originally released and produced by Severin in the U.S. – this expose examines, celebrates and investigates the cinematic exploits of prolific filmmaker, Al Adamson who met a horrific end in a disturbing case of art imitating life.

Adamson’s success can be largely attributed to nepotism, resourcefulness and appeal to the lowest common denominator, which the film is quick to point out, along with similarities to his predecessor of sorts, Edward D. Wood. Although, despite even being less known than the “worst director of all time”, Adamson’s works, while lowbrow, were more cohesive with a slightly wider range of content that generally revolved around bikers, babes, satanism and that long-awaited monster mash, Dracula vs. Frankenstein.

Blood & Flesh is the perfect gateway to Adamson’s sphere of cinema and even if the movies aren’t your cup of tea, the documentary not only gives you the best bits but encompasses the energy and enthusiasm that emanated from this unique and well-regarded individual. Again, to draw another parallel to Ed Wood, the assortment of peculiar characters Adamson attracted were very much a part of his brand, most notably a semi-retired Russ Tamblyn of West Side Story fame, and Lon Chaney Jr. during the final years of his life.

However, not all of those in Adamson’s sphere were well-intended as the feature dramatically shifts to a true crime documentary, which details Adamson’s murder at the hands of a live-in contractor in his secluded desert home; an environment of an almost alien-like aura that perhaps established a subconscious connection with the filmmaker, who had developed an obsessive interest in the U.F.O phenomenon.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Outtakes – The Cowboy Life of Denver Dixon, Russ Tamblyn’s Melted TV, Manson & Screaming Angels, and The Prophetic Screenplay Makes Gary Kent Testify
Beyond This Earth Promo Reel
Trailer
BONUS FILM: The Female Bunch
Theatrical Trailer
Electronic Press Kit

The most notable featurette on this set is The Female Bunch (1971), especially considering newcomers to Adamson’s work will no doubt be leaving this documentary wanting to sample his filmography. Running 80 minutes, the low-budget film feels more like a sleazier version of a “hang-out” drama rather than a crazy exploitation venture. However, viewers won’t be disappointed with the picture which is filled to the brim with nudity and sassy drug-running heroines. The Female Bunch also gets its own featurette, a 15-minute interview with some cast and crew members who expand on anecdotes they shared in the main Blood & Flesh documentary. – by Hannah Lynch

TECHNICAL SPECS

Aspect ratio Blood & Flesh: 1.77:1 / Female Bunch: 1.66:1
Blood & Flesh: English 5.1 Stereo / Female Bunch: English Mono
Closed captions
Region FREE
Runtime 100 mins (Blood & Flesh), 86 mins (Female Bunch)

VIDEO AND AUDIO

While it is the main feature, the quality of a documentary released in 2019 does not give one much to critique as the 1080p image is well up to modern standards and the 5.1 track adds a nice immersive quality that contrasts the use of archival footage

The Female Bunch has clearly been subject to a very raw HD scan of the film, but I don’t think fans would want it any other way. Colours are very pale, and picture is reasonably sharp, although relatively soft compared to your more mainstream titles from the period, but a Mono soundtrack brings the old-school audio vibes.

Blood & Flesh thankfully does take a detour down the conspiracy theory route to its conclusion. It remains relatively grounded, but does not shy away from the weirdness that followed Adamson throughout his life, leaving viewers with a positive impression of the man and myth.

BLOOD & FLESH
(2019, director: David Gregory)