Dead Set

Horrorphile

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Dead Set

November 24th 2009 01:31

Now this was a fantastic surprise! I’d heard nothing of this UK mini-series, Dead Set (2008) which aired on British television in October 2008, and is currently airing on Australian television. It was coincidental that I was watching the Madman/SBS released DVD of all five episodes on the same day the first double-length (40-minute) episode screened. This is superior free-to-air television, and I have to say, the best zombie teleplay since Zack Snyder’s version of Dawn of the Dead (2004). It is a deliberate homage to George Romero’s zombie apocalypse, whilst also paying tribute to Snyder’s vision, and to the hell on earth depicted in the 28 Days/Weeks Later movies.

Big Brother contestants

It's eviction night on the production and broadcast of reality show Big Brother, and a zombie plague is closing in; the curse of the undead spreading like wildfire across Britain, and no doubt the rest of the world. The surviving contestants inside Big Brother house have no idea what is going on in the real world. Kelly (Jaime Winstone), a production runner, is caught up in the chaos. We assume she’s our Final Girl.

Jaime Winstone as Kelly

The reality show’s producer Patrick (Andy Nyman) is a prime prick, a genuine arsehole, a wanker. He’ll get his, don’t you worry; he has to, no one this nasty gets away with the crap he dishes out. Then there’s Davina McCall (the real UK Big Brother presenter), current evictee Pippi (Kathleen McDermott) and the remaining six contestants; Space (Adam Deacon), Veronica (Beth Cordingly), Joplin (Kevin Eldon), Grayson (Raj Ghatak), Angel (Chizzy Akudolu), and Marky (Warren Brown). There’s also Kelly’s boyfriend Riq (Riz Ahmed), and Alex (Liz May Brice), both on the outside, trying to survive.

Andy Nyman as Patrick

The television studio setting immediately mirrors Romero’s initial setting for Dawn of the Dead (1978). The roof-top and zombies piling up against the perimeter fence is lifted from Snyder’s version, and Romero’s Day of the Dead (1985). The zombies toxic-glaze eyes and ability to sprint after their intended victims is from the Rage-infected undead of 28 Days/Weeks Later. One could argue Dead Set is dead-set derivative, yet watching it I never felt ripped-off. The casting and acting is all uniformly excellent, the production values – especially the gore effects and zombie make-up – is exceptional (cleverly shying from any graphic violence in initial episodes, but ramping up the ultraviolence in the last couple of episodes, as well as utilizing the fast-frame video technique often applied to sports coverage).

Davina McCall as herself

In keeping with the show's occasional shots of black humor when Dead Set first aired on Channel 4, the presenter introduced the show saying “This show contains very strong language and scenes of horror which some viewers may find disturbing. This show is best suited to wide screen viewing, surround sound and should be watched in a darkened room.” Indeed the level of profanity and use of expletives by characters is very high, but hell, it ramps up the level of realism ten-fold. To be honest I’m amazed it airs on television at all. Why it received an MA and not an R (18) rating here in Australia surprises me. Surely the SBS broadcast would have to provide ample warning for home viewers!

Patrick gets his hands dirty

A zombie finds the BB live feed riveting viewing

I have a few small quibbles; despite the obvious pop culture references the word “zombie” is never mentioned, yet early on one of the characters teases another by saying “They’re coming to get you Barbara!”, a direct reference to Night of the Living Dead (1968). But that’s the only time any of the characters comes close to mentioning the word “zombie”, they don’t even refer to them as being undead. It’s a particularly curious decision by screenwriter Charles Brooker. And if these zombies (‘cos let’s face it, that’s exactly what they are, the end credit thanks “All our zombies”) can run like motherfuckers, why can’t they climb? And how come the characters who end up with guns and rifles are suddenly marksmen (except poor Kelly)?

There are many great nuances and set-pieces which more than make up for the quibbles; the prickly, insectoid-like growl the zombies utter, the extreme death by fire extinguisher to the head - a deliberate nod to Irreversible (2002), and Patrick a la Rhodes, to name a couple. Dead Set might have been produced as a five-part mini-series, but it makes for gripping viewing as a two-and-a-half hour feature. Shaun of the Dead (2004) goes more directly for the comedic jugular, 28 Weeks Later is more epic in its scope, Dead Set makes for a perfect companion piece to Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead; this is the nightmare happening simultaneously on the other side of the Atlantic. Essential viewing for all hardcore zombie fans who like their social satire with a healthy helping of unbridled viscera.

Smile, you're on national television

Click here to watch the teaser trailer

Dead Set DVD courtesy of Madman Entertainment, many thanks!

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

8 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by David O'Connell

November 24th 2009 08:46

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

Sorry for doubling up on this one mate! I actually just watched the whole thing yesterday and like you found it to be a very pleasant surprise, mostly because I didn't have much in the way of expectations and was only attracted to it because of the basic premise.

It's incredibly well done, and yeah it's quite funny how the 'Z' word never gets mentioned!
The Patrick character is something else - how's that scene when he's trapped in the room with Pippa and has the immediate need to expel certain things from his body!!

Now that was true horror!................"I don't like it!"

I absolutely loved 28 Weeks Later at the time, it blew me away. Same with Dawn of the Dead - you have such low expectations going in with a remake. But coming out of nowhere I think Dead Set almost tops both of them in some ways for me. the last 20 minutes especially are fantastic, a fitting climax.

Comment by Bryn

November 24th 2009 21:40

Horrorphile

David, great to have you on board. Yeah, wow, what a fitting climax indeed, really impressed the writer, more importantly the producers, had the cojones to do what they did ... which ties in nicely with the similar tone at the very end of Snyder's version. I like thinking events in both movies are happening simultaneously. Glad you enjoyed 28 Weeks Later as much as I did, I much prefer it over 28 Days Later, only because the second half of Danny Boyle's first movie becomes really annoying and corny. So am I to presume then you don't need a copy of the DVD?

Comment by David O'Connell

November 25th 2009 04:10

20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic

I'd be more than happy to take one off your hands Bryn, but only if nobody else chimes in. I actually only have the screener from Madman. Are the extras decent at all?

Comment by Bryn

November 25th 2009 06:22

Horrorphile

Yeah, deleted scenes, sfx featurettes, interviews with screenwriter and director, behind the scenes ...

Comment by JohnDoe

November 25th 2009 23:57

Film & TV on DVD

Man Bryn,

Make me regret moving to the USA why don't you. Your giving away the DVD and this isn't out on over here and I don't have cable so I have to try an be patient....and you know how bad I am at waiting!

Anyway for the record my favourite Zombie film is still Romero's Dawn of the Dead...the remake is cool to naturally!

Comment by Bryn

November 26th 2009 00:31

Horrorphile

Yeah, well ... you wanted a colder climate

Comment by merryl

November 27th 2009 04:15

Is there still a DVD available?

I love the traditional zombie movies like 'Dawn of the Dead', but my favourite is definitely 'Shaun of the Dead'. Simon Pegg is hilarious.

Comment by Bryn

November 27th 2009 04:26

Horrorphile

Hi Merryl, yes there is a DVD available. Private message me your mailing address. My fave zombie comedy is definitely Shaun of the Dead too. Awesome flick all round. Dead Set isn't the same kind of comedy, although it is blackly comedic, and it kicks serious arse!

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