There’s no shortage of remakes these days, but what’s the thinking behind doing an almost shot-for-shot version of a 1962 cult favourite rather than attempt to better it? Director Derek Carl has taken the original story and recreated – using the same title font and music – the film adding some new moments and a knowing, wink-to-the-audience attitude. You could say this is a tribute band equivalent of a movie.
The story follows a brilliant doctor, Bill (Patrick D. Green), who is on a high after reviving a patient after being declared dead. Going away for the weekend with his fiancé, Jan (Rachael Perrell Fosket), he crashes his car, decapitating Jan. Taking her head to his getaway house/laboratory, he manages to keep it alive – but now he needs to find a body.
By updating the ‘60s scenario to glorious colour and keeping the timeframe, Carl manages to have fun with the stuffy acting and ridiculous situations – not to mention the misogyny and ableism present in the original. The result is more akin to watching the film as a stage play, with plenty of knowing moments, some that don’t work – the original film is seen on the TV at one point; an in-joke too far – but occasionally, this new version hits the mark. Added gore will bode well to an audience not familiar with the original, but it’ll likely more appeal to those who like to laugh at older films anyway. We don’t doubt the team’s sincerity and love for the much-mocked classics, but for this writer, despite being fun, it didn’t quite pay off.
