Beyond the Darkness (aka Buio Omega, 1979)

[Vampix]

I recently bought one of the Shriek Show boxsets and this Joe D'Amato movie was one of those included in the pack.I haven't actually sat down to watch the flick yet but have read it caused a bit of controversy years back with it's realistic disembowelling/embalming fx and it's weird subject matter.Anyone here seen the film and care to offer their opinion of it?

[TALL DUDE]

This was the first r1 title i bought,back in 2002 and i loved the overall sleaziness of the movie,although its pretty laughable at times,but it does have its fair share of stomach churning scenes. Soundtracks excellent to!

Check for a couple of hidden trailers as easter eggs. Some of d'amato's porn films.

[Pete]

I thought it was quite boring to be honest, like a lot of other supposedly shocking exploitation films the gore is quite mild.

[Vampix]

Originally Posted by loops

I thought it was quite boring to be honest, like a lot of other supposedly shocking exploitation films the gore is quite mild.

Well, to be quite honest the gore is pretty mild in almost all the Italian horrors from the late 70's/early 80's especially when compared to movies made nowadays.I remember when I first watched Vipco's strong uncut version of Zombie Flesh-Eaters back in the pre-cert days and thought it was gut-wrenchingly graphic.Now, I almost consider it as quaint as a Hammer or Amicus.

[Angel]

Originally Posted by loops

I thought it was quite boring to be honest, like a lot of other supposedly shocking exploitation films the gore is quite mild.

Yes I thought it was quite boring as well. Never as shocking as they make out. As far as I know the BBFC classified a cut version of the film some years ago although it wouldn't have any problems today.

[Vampix]

I watched it last night and didn't think it was boring at all, I really liked the movie's weirdness.I think the embalming scenes were quite cleverly done for a low budget Italian movie made in 1979, and could see how it was considered shocking all those years ago.Cinzia Monreale made a convincing corpse as well, I didn't see her move a muscle, breathe or blink during those scenes.On the subject of necrophilia, I thought Beyond the Darkness was far more interesting than Nekromantik.I personally think Nekro is crap!

[silverferox]

One day, Beyond The Darkness may well be considered one of the very best Italo-exploits - for many, that day has already passed...

[napalm-in-the-morning]

I think "Darkness" has aged pretty well. Yes, it is a bit plodding in places the pacing is not great with some typical Italian padding but the FX are impressive for their time and it does have a weird atmosphere that gives it a bit of an edge. Not a very good commentary on the Shriek release though.

[Gojirosan]

It's the best D'Amato film I've yet seen (what with it dabbling with coherence, and all), but it is not as good as the film of which it is a remake (Third Eye).

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Mentioned elesewhere but this is getting a Blu-Ray/DVD combo release from Media Blasters/Shriek Show in July.

No concrete confirmation if it will be region free yet though.