Dead of Night (US Title)

AKA

 Lighthouse (UK Title)

Simon Hunter

1999

95min

Ok, before I say anything about this film the version being reviewed here is the US version. It is not yet available in the UK at the time I write this (28 07 00) but should be very soon. I saw this first at the great horror festival Dead By Dawn 2000 under the title Lighthouse and was totally blown away by it! The makers promised it would be out on Cinema release soon but I've heard nothing since. So I decided not to wait and got this version although I would love to see it on the big screen again. This film is a class act and as far as the mainstream horror market goes is the best piece of horror film-making I've seen for years. It's certainly streets ahead of shit like "Scream" and "I know what you did last Summer" I know a lot of people reading this probably love those films, and I watched them and enjoyed them for what they were worth, but when a film like this surfaces you realize the huge difference between horror made for a quick buck and horror with real guts. 

Leo rook, a deranged psychopath escapes from the prison ship carrying him and other convicts. Making his way to a tiny island housing only a Lighthouse, manned by a mostly old crew waiting to finish their last shift before the lighthouse becomes automated. When the prison ship sinks only a few of the crew and some convicts escape, swimming for the island. When they arrive on the island they quickly realize that all is not well and are soon fighting for their lives against the madman intent on killing them all and keeping their heads as trophy's.

This film keeps the suspense turned up full and you on the edge of your seat. The murders are bloody and usually very quick, not dwelling on the gore but relying more on a few seconds of shock.

This is a must see film for true Horror film fans, don't miss it !!

As a DVD this is no masterpiece with no extras and an average picture quality which is cropped at 4:3, with a shit sound mix which made listening to the dialogue over the music very difficult. Fingers crossed for top notch UK release.

Extras

Sod all