Indie Zombie Movie Review: The Defiled and the Silent Treatment

Full disclosure: a screener of this film was provided by Julian Grant.

Director/writer: Julian Grant.

The Defiled right away grabs you as being an homage to an earlier time in films, the silent 1920s and before. Julian Grant's latest production is completely in black and white, while the feature is entirely without dialogue. However, the body language speaks volumes as an infected man does his best to ensure a future generation of man-eaters, by protecting his cannibal baby. The result is a slow paced dramatic feature in an apocalyptic world, which deserves greater attention from horror fans.

Director Grant shows his versatility in filmmaking, by acting as the film's principal photographer. The environments shot are mostly dilapidated to show a world in decline and chaos, while the lighting emphasizes zombie facial expressions and infrequent explosions. As well, there are long shots to show a roving militia and close interior shots, to elicit the movie watcher's feelings of being trapped in the ruins. All of the shots are well done, with few distractions in Grant's directing techniques.

The lack of dialogue means that viewers will have to concentrate more on facial expressions and movements, rather than relying on audio. This is one element which will draw many viewers in, as one infected man does his best to feed his very hungry new born cannibal baby. Much of the later film is spent with Yar (Brian Shaw) motioning to his new human pal, Janice (Kathleen Lawlor). The conclusion is sometimes miscommunication, but future reels show the progression of the film through grunts and moans. The Defiled is much like watching an earlier Quest for Fire (1981), where the dialogue is made through simple guttural references.

Of course, any independent film is not without its challenges. The Defiled, as mentioned in other reviews (DVD Talk, Oh the Horror), seems to slow down to a minimalist pace. This style is reminiscent of the silent films of old; yet, some scenes seem to be held for a little too long and your attention will likely begin to falter. As well, production values did not allow for intense action scenes and instead, The Defiled builds tension between one cannibal father and a host of weary, roaming soldiers.

This film is a very interesting entry into the horror sub-genre of zombie, or zombie-like filmmaking. Grant's perspective on the genre pays homage to Night of the Living Dead (George A. Romero) and the reflection on films of old is appreciated, by this reviewer. Other fans of the genre will enjoy the point-of-view from the infected a la Marc Price's Colin (2008). Just do not stare too long, or you will soon be chasing after fresh prey like Bela Lugosi in Ninety Nine (1918).

Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (unique, nice homage, slow paced, sparse conflict, good acting and a new, or reinvention of an old perspective).

A review of The Defiled is also available at DVD Talk, by Justin Felix:

The Defiled on DVD Talk

Another review of this film is available at Oh the Horror:

The Defiled at Oh the Horror - Brett G.

Extras on the DVD:

-Director Julian Grant's commentary track with actors Brian Shaw and Kathleen Lawlor
-Slide Show (3:25)
-Home Movies (1:21)
-Trailer

Available now. Order it:



Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA

 |  |  |  |  |  | 

Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis by Email

Posted in: 2011,apocalypse,black and white,cannibal,cannibal baby,chemical burn productions,julian grant,movie review,the defiled,zombie movie review 2011