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Severin Films brings Joe D’Amato’s ultra-graphic Beyond The Darkness to blu-ray — restored in HD for the first time and packed with exclusive new features

Beyond the DarknessItalian horror films have their own feel, their own sound and their own sense of logic (or lack thereof). The uniqueness of Italian horror films makes them a bit of an acquired taste; a love ‘em or hate ‘em deal. I am in the group of fans who loves Italian horror films — even the ones where the story lacks any coherent logic. That brings me to the new Severin blu-ray release of director Joe D’Amato’s BEYOND THE DARKNESS (aka BURIED ALIVE, BUIO OMEGA).

From a story standpoint, the movie is fairly straightforward and easy to follow, while the visuals are an assault on your moral senses. It’s everything a fan of the genre would expect from an Italian splatter film.

Beyond the Darkness

Frank (Kieran Canter) is a taxidermist who lives in a cottage he inherited from his parents. Also living in the cottage is Frank’s servant, friend, sometimes lover and fill-in mother, Iris (Franca Stoppi). Frank doesn’t view Iris as a romantic interest, though Iris desperately wants Frank to. In Iris’ way is Frank’s girlfriend, Anna (Anna Cardini). In the film’s one supernatural element, Iris kills Anna using a voodoo spell. Rather than let Anna go, Frank decides to keep Anna in his cottage — Norman Bates style.

The death of Anna and the keeping of her corpse unlocks something within Frank, a desire to kill and a taste for human flesh. Iris helps hide Frank’s crimes, even though it’s clear that Frank is searching for a live Anna replacement (and it’s not Iris). While BEYOND THE DARKNESS has scenes of severe grotesqueness, D’Amato steers away from outright necrophilia.

Beyond the Darkness

As promised by the various pull quotes on the blu-ray packaging, BEYOND THE DARKNESS is a very graphic and disturbing film.

There are scenes that border on the line of good taste and some that look incredibly authentic due to the use of animal parts and blood. It’s reasonable to believe that authorities, at the time of the film’s release, thought that real corpses were being used. BEYOND THE DARKNESS, with its themes and graphic horrors, is an uncomfortable film to watch. This is not a complaint; this works for the overall effect of the film.

Beyond the Darkness

While most horror movies want to scare their audience, there are some, like BEYOND THE DARKNESS, that want the viewers to question why they are even watching this film and how fast can they get to a shower after the credits roll. BEYOND THE DARKNESS ranks with CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST and FACES OF DEATH as one of the most stomach turning, nauseating, must-see movies for all horror fans.

Severin Films has done a great job with the release of BEYOND THE DARKNESS.  The picture and sound are excellent, and while the features may be minimal in quantity, they are all really well done.

On a personal note, I am very thankful for boutique companies like Severin, Scream Factory, Criterion, Blu Underground, and others. When I was much younger, my access to horror movies was Saturday afternoons with Creature Double Feature, Doctor Shock and, later, Saturday evenings with Stella and Saturday Night Dead. While I was given a horror education on Hammer Horror, Universal Monsters, Toho man-in-suit monsters, Independent Pictures, Roger Corman films and cheesy slasher films, I didn’t get a chance to see a lot of foreign or grindhouse type films.

Thanks to these specialty companies, many films that would not have been seen, or seen by very few, are getting the attention they deserve by horror fans around the world.

Beyond the Darkness

Features of note:

  • The limited edition Goblin soundtrack. Classic Goblin soundscape, throbbing electronic score to ponder necrophilia too.
  • Interview with actress Franca Stoppi. Franca is a wonderful interview subject, full of stories and good humor.
  • Goblin Reborn perform Buio Omega, Live 2016. The video is of one song, not Goblin performing the entire soundtrack live.  It is a treat to see Goblin performing a song in a live environment. The video is a great primer and incentive to get tickets to see them live on tour in 2017.

Full Blu-Ray Contents:

  • Joe D’Amato: The Horror Experience – Interview with director Joe D’Amato
  • The Omega Woman – Interview with actress Franca Stoppi
  • Sick Love – An interview with actress Cinzia Monreale
  • Goblin Reborn perform a selection from the Buio Omega soundtrack, Live 2016
  • Locations Revisited
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Limited Edition CD Soundtrack (remastered) from Goblin (limited to first 2500 blu-rays ordered)

If you order the limited edition Necro Bundle, the contents include:

  • Beyond The Darkness Blu-Ray
  • Buio Omega CD Soundtrack by Goblin
  • Special Edition Beyond The Darkness Enamel Pin (courtesy of Pseudo Ludo)
  • 27 x 39 Buried Alive One Sheet Reproduction Folder (folded)
  • Original Beyond The Darkness t-shirt (courtesy of Pallbearer Press)
  • Buio Omega Air Freshener

BEYOND THE DARKNESS TRAILER (NSFW)  

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