It’s not easy, or cheap, to make a film. A surprising as it might seem, we only normally get to see the best of the best in cinemas. Nowadays most either go straight to ‘download’ or disappear down the black hole of no distribution. However, digital technology means anyone can now make a movie. Back in the day, there were a handful of mavericks who ensured just about anything got made. Whilst the likes of Ed Wood and Roger Corman are still well-known today, Al Adamson has rather slipped between the cracks.
During the late 1960s and throughout the next decade Adamson was a prolific film-maker. With titles such as Cinderella 2000, Blazing Stewardesses, Black Samurai and Horror of the Blood Monsters he was never going to win an Oscar but he almost always turned a profit. Following a philosophy of ‘tits and terror’ he helped launch many careers and attracted a cult following. Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson tells his remarkable story.
Using archive interviews, contemporary talking heads and clips from the films themselves, David Gregory has created a documentary which is fun, thrilling and fascinating. Adamson’s life is almost as interesting as his death. It’s very much a case of truth being stranger than fiction. Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson starts out quite conventionally before going down several rabbit-holes. It’s one heck of a ride.
Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson screened at Fantasia Festival 2019.
