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Released by: Sub Rosa Studios
Released on: 6/24/2003
Director: Darren Ward
Cast: Nick Rendell, David Warbeck, Andy Ranger, Paul Murphy, Victor D. Thorn
Year: 1997
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The Movie:
One of the most ambitious shot on video films I've ever seen, Sudden Fury is the work of independent British director/writer/producer Darren Ward, who shot the film when he could using what resources he had available to him. Influenced by a lot of the ultra violent Italian crime films from the sixties, seventies, and eighties, his film is fast paced and gory as can be.
Paul Murphy plays Randall, a wannabe gang leader with ambitions of taking over his rivals' cocaine trafficking business. Andy Ranger plays Jimmy, Randall's trusted right hand man. The two of them hire a notorious assassin named Walker (played by Nick Rendell) with hopes that he'll be able to take down Harris, their enemy and rival gang leader. Once they've eliminated Harris, they'll be able to take control of all of the cocaine trafficking on the south coast of England.
When Randall finds out that the two hoods were never going to make good on their word and pay him for the job, he goes rogue and Randall has to use all of his available resources and men to try and kill Walker, but of course, Walker isn't going down without on Hell of a fight.
While the editing and cinematography are miles above your average shot on video production, the film ultimately bites of more than it can chew. It's extremely ambitious and for that I give the filmmakers credit but the acting is at times pretty hokey and the dialogue can get a bit annoying (note: saying the word 'fuck' in every sentence does not make your film edgy!). But what the film does accomplish it does in spades. There is so much blood and gore splashed all over the screen that I can honestly say that this is hands down the goriest film I've ever seen come out of England. Limbs are severed, heads explode, squibs tear out of chests - and this all occurs quite regularly.
Given a sizeable budget I'm confident that Ward could probably pull of something spectacular. He shows a good eye for composition and detail and weaves the story together well even if some of the scripting decisions didn't jive with me. Plus the man had the good sense to get the late, great David Warbeck (star of Lucio Fulci's The Beyond) in his film and let him chew through the scenery like a rabid beaver. There's something to be said for that.
Video/Audio/Extras:
The film, which was shot on video over an extended period of time, has been matted to 1.85.1 to give it more of a theatrical feel, but sadly, it still looks like it was shot on video, black bars at the top or not. There's quite a bit of video noise and some compression is noticeable throughout as well. That being said, it looks as good as the source probably allows without some serious video clean up work done, and what's here is watchable, just don't be expecting anything spectacular.
Sudden Fury's Dolby Digital Stereo soundtrack is pretty good. Dialogue is clearer than your average shot on video production and the soundtrack levels are well balanced. There could be more on the low end to give the mix some 'oomph' but all things considered this sounds pretty good.
Sub Rosa has ported over some of the extras from the European releases of the DVD for the North American market. A few deleted scenes are included (and worth looking at as they're actually pretty interesting) as well as a collection of semi-amusing outtakes. Generous art and photo galleries are also included as is the films trailer.
The German release of the film features a full-length commentary with the director and star but that has been omitted from the R1 release.
The Final Word:
Indy splatter fans that are able to look past the obvious budgetary restraints will eat up this ambitious no-money chunk blower.