Bullets for the Dead is a western horror movie directed by Michael Du-Shane, released in 2015. The film takes place in the late 1800s in the Australian outback. It is a unique combination of western elements with zombies, offering a thrilling and innovative storyline. The movie starts with a group of robbers who steal a valuable relic from a church. However, their plans go awry when they come across a strange man in the middle of the desert. The man turns out to be a necromancer who has the ability to summon the dead. Before they know it, they are in a fight for their lives as the dead rise and attack.
The main protagonist, a renowned gunslinger named Butch (played by Christopher Sommers) investigates the circumstances behind the robbery of the church, which his former girlfriend Charlotte (played by Vanessa Moltzen) runs. Butch and his team, consisting of a young man named Edmund (played by Jessica Baker) and a bounty hunter named Dalton (played by Hugh Parker), find themselves in the midst of an undead invasion. They decide to take refuge in a nearby saloon, where they find other survivors trying to fight off zombies.
As the night progresses, the situation becomes even more dire, and both the living and the undead become increasingly unpredictable. In this motley group, alliances are formed, and betrayals occur. The movie builds up an excellent sense of tension as the different characters interact and form relationships, all while the zombies relentlessly attack.
The movie does an excellent job of blending the horror and western genres together. The special effects and makeup work for the zombies are particularly impressive, creating a sense of authenticity and realism that can be hard to come by in B rated horror movies. The use of practical effects over digital ones makes the movie grittier and more intense, which is precisely what a horror film needs.
Despite its B-movie status, Bullets for the Dead is a genuinely engaging and entertaining film that pays tribute to some of the best westerns, while still offering something original in terms of plot and concept. The movie's pacing is well done, moving toward a climactic and spectacularly bloody finale.
One of the standout performances in the movie is by Doug Briggs, who plays the necromancer with a depth and vulnerability that is rare in a horror movie villain. He brings a level of emotion and complexity to the character, which enhances the movie's overall quality, and adds to its appeal.
The dialogue in Bullets for the Dead can be a bit cliche, and some of the acting is less than stellar. Still, the movie's overall vision, production value, and directing are above average, and it makes for a compelling and entertaining watch.
In conclusion, Bullets for the Dead is a fun and engaging movie that takes the best elements of Westerns and horror movies and combines them into a unique and entertaining package. It has everything you could want in a horror-western mashup, with lots of gore, action, and a great soundtrack. While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate B films and the horror genre will find this to be an enjoyable and thrilling experience. If you are looking for something that is a bit different from the usual zombie movie fare, Bullets for the Dead should be on your list.
Bullets for the Dead is a 2015 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.