World Of The Dead: The Zombie Diaries 2

World Of The Dead: The Zombie Diaries 2

DVD Rating: **1/2

Reviewed by: Anton Bitel

Read Anton Bitel's film review of World Of The Dead: The Zombie Diaries 2

Splitting the directors' commentary between them, writer/co-director Kevin Gates and his co-director Michael Bartlett spend considerable time describing what ended up being cut from Gates' script (mostly characterisation and backstory) in the interests of maintaining the film's pace – although some alterations were intended to leave the door open to further sequels.

While the first film was shot largely by the cast, Gates had to operate the higher-end digital cameras (with manual settings and focus) used in this instalment himself, and filmed almost entirely in natural light when he was not using the night vision facility on one of the cameras. "All this production value was completely free of charge," says Bartlett of the unplanned but aesthetically welcome snowy conditions – and Gates' own house and garden provided a similarly low-cost location for the film's prologue. The weapon wielded by Leann in the climactic sequence is apparently "the same rubber axe as was used in Resident Evil".

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The 23 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage include further interviews with Gates, Bartlett and their producer Kevin Gates (who is unequivocal in regarding these films as parts of an ongoing franchise), as well as with key members of the cast (mostly describing their characters). We learn, incredibly, that Alix Wilton Regan did a lot of research into Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome in preparation for her (underwrittten) role, and that the rape scene was shot on a closed set in a single take. There are also brief interviews with the film's military advisor Andy 'Macs' Biddle, and fight coordinator Mark Strange. It is all a bit electronic press kit, but is, like the film itself, serviceable enough.

Reviewed on: 03 Aug 2011
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World Of The Dead: The Zombie Diaries 2 packshot
The military take on the zombie hordes.
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Product Code: MTD5623

Region: 2

Ratio: 2.35:1

Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1

Extras: Full audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette


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