Undead is a film that really mixes up the genre. Obviously, it’s a horror film, but it also uses comedy & adds some sci-fi. Horror is a neglected genre within the Australian film industry. The last attempt was the lame Cut, starring Molly Ringwald. This means there aren’t a lot of similar Australian films to Undead, especially zombie films. There was the independent film Zombie Brigade, filmed in TooJay, but that’s the only other Australian zombie film I’ve heard of.
To fit this film within the boundaries set within Australian
Cinema Med 231, Undead contains aspects of western film, gothic film and
musicals.
The western is typically set in farm land, somewhere in the
outback. The typical western will be about good vs. evil, with the gun-toting good
guy defending the innocent. While comparing Undead to a Western is a bit of a
stretch, as you can see there are some rough similarities. The reason western
was included more had to do with the character of Marion then anything else.
From the spurs, the music and the name itself, there is no doubt that Marion is
the ultimate cowboy. Why else would they give him John Wayne’s birth name?
Unlike most Australian gothic films, Undead isn’t really a look at
the weird and scary within ordinary life. It is more closely related to Gothic
films stemming from the 19th century monster novels. The film is
about zombies, so it fits right into this category. Also the lighting could be
describes as gothic. Film Noir has many gothic elements, and the blue filtering
could be described as both.
Finally, Undead has aspects of a musical. I haven’t gone crazy, I
am well aware that the zombies don’t burst into song, but the score of the film
does play a part in the story-telling. The music sets scenes, creates tension,
adds mystery and helps characterisation.
Horror movies usually rely on the music to help build tension in
important scenes. The music from films like Jaws and Psycho, are well known,
because they really assisted in adding to the terror of these memorable scenes.
When the audience is introduced to the town of Berkeley, the music
really sets the scene and the tone for the rest of the movie. The music is
perky and upbeat, almost to the point where is appears to be a satire of
real-life small towns and there all too perfect existence. The audience
realises the film doesn’t really take itself seriously, and creates the tone
for the comical aspects of the film.
The last important utilisation of music within Undead is for the
purposes of characterisation. The first scene featuring Marion is a slow motion
action shot. The music is reminiscent of the heavy guitar riffs and twangs
of early westerns. Introducing the
spur-wearing hero as a similar
character to the old cowboys of years gone by.