BEFORE DAWN

Before Dawn (18)

Director: Dominic Brunt
Written by: Mark Illis, Joanne Mitchell
Starring: Dominic Brunt, Joanne Mitchell, Eileen O'Brien
 

This film has annoyed me a bit. I’ll explain why … It was showing at the Film4 London Frightfest, on the smaller screens as part of the usual “showcase” offerings. I didn’t see it there as I stayed with the premiere showings on the main screen. I just hope that I wasn’t watching “Berberian Sound Studio” or “Tulpa” or something similar … because this film is worth a dozen of those efforts!

“Before Dawn” is a labour of love by Dominic Brunt, who directed and produced the film, as well as starring in it. His real-life wife Joanne Mitchell also stars, as well as producing and actually writing the story. Dominic is a bit of a two-pronged institution in the UK. Beloved by soap opera fans for his long-running portrayal of Paddy the Vet in “Emmerdale” (in fact my dear old Mum was a huge fan of his). However, he is also well-known amongst UK genre fans for his love of the genre and actually organises zombie film festivals in the city of Leeds. Due to budgetary constraints and cast requirements, “Before Dawn” was in pre-production for well over a year. After successful festival showings it is now available on Region 2 DVD.

The film opens with Alex (Brunt) and Meg (Mitchell) leaving for a Countryside Cottage holiday, well away from distractions from their children and her work. After a few snide comments by Meg’s mother, they set off and it soon becomes apparent that this is a relationship in free-fall. Alex drinks constantly and has lost his job. Meg is surgically attached to her mobile, and obsessed with a fitness regime. On reaching the cottage (the location is not specified … apart from it being in the arse-end of nowhere), they start to argue again. For anybody who has been in fractured relationships, or nearing the end of a long-term one, these scenes are sadly familiar. Also, familiar will be the sense of remoteness that an English Countryside holiday (complete with overcast crap weather) can have…

There is no real sense of danger until at least a third of the way into the film. We have heard screams in the distance, seen a blood-spattered abandoned car, and are aware of figures running in the distance. But it’s relatively late until the first undead conflict occurs. And once this happens, the whole plot spirals into unforeseen areas…

This is a Zombie Apocalypse film. But those looking for a large-scale siege story, or a survival tale, won’t necessarily find what they’re looking for here. The majority of the film takes place within the confines of the cottage in question. However, if you want to see an intensely personal and realistic portrayal of how people react to large-scale and personal tragedy, you’ll get it here in spades. The creatures themselves are rage-filled bloody-eyed ex-humans, who are attracted to movement and like to chow down on innards. (NB: If you listen to Brunt’s commentary or watch the making-of feature, there is a whole back-story to the “virus” and the effects of contamination, although it’s not referred to in the film). There’s not a lot of them (Arse-end of nowhere, remember?), but they can be deadly. The film is not strewn with gore, but when it happens it is brutal and uncompromising.

There are some great ideas in the film which I can’t elaborate on without being spoiler-rific, but they concern the possible effects of feeding the infected, and how the infection can spread.

Brunt is obviously a talented director and let's hope he continues with similar projects in the genre. His role as Alex is very well-orchestrated and he gives a totally un-showy, realistic performance. Mitchell is also very good in her role, and let’s just say that when she wrote the story, she didn’t spare her character any indignities. The soundtrack is suitably morose and befitting the sweeping countryside and situation.

(Although I could have done without that brief bizarre dub-step track that is played over one zombie attack!). Actually, despite the relatively small number of zombies, I don’t recall a recent undead film feeling so dread-laden...

All in all, a real gem for genre fans that like some meat and food for thought with their splattered brains. Some original ideas and realistic performances make this well worth picking up.

Extras: An extensive making-of feature (49 minutes), an endearingly low-key commentary by Dominic Brunt (which fills in the infection back-story if you are interested), Outtakes, Raw footage, and a trailer.

This is a thoroughly British and refreshingly adult film. Treat yourself to a home-grown horror with substance.