I'll Bury You Tomorrow (2002) User Reviews

2 hours of 70's Gothic horror

[trashgang · 6/10 · 14 October 2009]

I came aware of this movie by searching on the net for independent horror movies, I found a lot by that way. So I watched the trailer of this movie and I contacted Alan Rowe Kelly to send me a signed copy. After all these years you really can tell when a movie is okay. And this one is. First I thought, damn, two hours watching an independent that will be boring but hey, it never was boring. You are in the movie from scene one and before you know it the movie is over. It was a delight to see that this wasn't a slasher but a dark Gothic story about necrophilia and body snatching. The acting is great by everybody. There is some nudity in it, luckily not gratuitous. This was the debut of Alan Rowe Kelly and it's a good one. Even the effects are nicely done and gory in some ways. Really, if your in a 70's mood, watch this one.

Uneasy and a major mess.

[michaelRokeefe · 4/10 · 4 May 2011]

Messy, twisted and sinister. This flick will be catnip for gore freaks. A young deranged woman, Dolores Finley(Zoe Daelam)arrives in a small rural community to take a job at the local mortuary. Percival Beech(Bill Corry),owner of the mortuary, hires the stranger even feeling she is preoccupied. Mrs. Beech(Katherine O'Sullivan)likes the young girl, because she reminds her of her dead daughter. Most of the citizens of Port Oram seem a bit on the weird side; but they are not ready for the strange deaths that start happening...when Dolores' dark side craves necrophilia. Some pretty disturbing images and when the chaos of slaughter begins; this movie takes on the mess of a gore fest. The frenzy brings confusion and even a queasy felling. You might not stick around for the final credits. That's how the interest founders. Also in the cast: Jerry Murdock, Alan Rowe Kelly, Renee West and Kristen Overdurf.

Crash course ..... Funeral Parlors 101 ...............

[merklekranz · 5/10 · 30 October 2009]

The first hour of "I'll Bury You Tomorrow" is not unlike a train pulling out of the station, as it starts to gradually gain momentum. Taking time to develop characters, perhaps too much time, the almost two hour movie, would benefit from some tightening. The second half delivers some 70s style blood and gore, a bit too gratuitous perhaps, but not unwatchable. I found the acting to be overall above average, the music and sound effects contribute, and the script is not totally predictable. For a low budget movie, shot on video, I would have to call it a marginal success, something to build upon for what might be an intriguing future. - MERK

Possibly the worst movie ever made

[jbhall36 · 1/10 · 28 January 2004]

I saw this movie at the Nevermore Film Festival in Durham, NC with the director and some of the actors in attendance. I actually felt kind of bad for them, because the whole audience was laughing hysterically throughout and numerous people walked out.

It doesn't help that the movie is shot on video, giving it the look of a porno without the sex. The acting...bad, dialogue...bad, special effects...bad. The killings are gory, but there is no build up...no suspense.

This literally has the look and feel of a home movie that a bunch of friends got together and made.

not as good as it is made out?

[kiprenshaw · 3/10 · 24 October 2005]

Well, this film, i got this film to make up the numbers with a blockbuster offer, and i must say, i could've chosen better.

There are some who say this film is awesome, and yes, it has a good storyline, if you can follow it, me and my friend couldn't get our heads around it.

So, as i was saying, the storyline is half right, but I'm sure they could've put in that little bit more effort to make the synchronisation between sound and visual a bit better, so if you're not into offset films, maybe save this one for another day.

I think the gore is nice, but same as i say, the storyline doesn't live up to the standards i have seen on many other independent films, and I believe that it has tried too hard to be the best independent film, and in doing so, it has spoilt the film all round. I summarise that this film is a good to watch if you cant find anything else and feel like laughing and jumping, but other than that, i say it is a big no-no!

sorry to all those who like the film, each man for their own eh?

I want you stiff.

[Someguysomwhere · 3/10 · 6 March 2008]

I'll bury you tomorrow? -More like: "I'll bury you when I can't take your stink no more".

This movie was too long. Now that I think about it, being shorter wouldn't have saved it anyway. The acting was amateurish but passable. The sleazy, unscrupulous, doped-out brother of the town sheriff was probably the best. I found myself wondering at times if he was really acting or if he was a real dope fiend.

Here's a little preview: sick necrophiliac chick moves to a new town, probably because she was forced to. She looks for employment in a funeral parlor. Makes sense, right? Anyway, she lucks out and gets a job at one plus room and board. Also working at this place is the afore mentioned sheriff's brother who is secretly selling bodies and/or their parts on the side. His partner in crime is a transvestite (Didn't fool me for a second, uggh!) who also works at the funeral parlor as a make-up artist. Figures.

It seems like a formula for something interesting, right? Well it didn't work out that way. It was dull, dull, dull. And then some. Trust me, unless you have a high threshold for boredom, stay the hell away! Love, Boloxxxi.

Interesting story but big egos ruin it!

[NYHORRORFAN · 2/10 · 10 June 2004]

The story is acceptable. It seems the director felt compelled to act as well. Herein lies a problem. He can't. Next time one hat is enough. The other actors with the exception of the lead and are very raw and interrupt the action.

I have shown friends the movie and they get bored or laugh at all the wrong scenes.

A horror film that has laughs is fine it was written that way. It can be painful to watch is some scenes.

Maybe the next try will be better. Zoe will get to do some big things. She is great!

Outstanding Film - Highly Recommended!!!

[planetq164 · 10/10 · 7 June 2005]

I'll Bury You Tomorrow is a Great Movie! I loved it (and I would not consider myself a hardcore Horror Movie fan). Both the story and feel of this movie are very entertaining and highly captivating. It has a very original plot, and is not one of the countless "slasher junk movies" that are being pumped out today. It's film style was truly dark, spooky, and disturbing while still being great fun to watch. The story has many twists and surprises and the film was shot in a style that keeps you in the action. Mr. Kelly gets great performances from the actors in both the leading and support roles. I had a great time watching it and I highly recommend it. Mr Kelly is obviously a very creative and talented Writer/Director/Actor who can deliver.

A Masterpiece of the Macabre

[neal66 · 10/10 · 11 July 2004]

Kudos to Alan Rowe Kelly for creating this rather sinister shocker of murder, madness and depravity! I bury you tomorrow is one of the most twisted films I've seen in awhile about a mysterious young woman who comes to the quiet town of Port Oram to work for local funeral parlor headed by Beech.Dolores Finley, the young woman has peculiar habits like her men rather stiff and some chilling skeletons in her closet and add some grave-robbing and other sources of mayhem and you have recipe for masterpiece of the macabre! I love the memorable characters like dolores who seems quiet unassuming woman who has a suitcase full of dark secrets and who's madness which she is hiding is slowly coming back with a vengeance. Jake Gerald, the sheriff's screw-up brother who works for Beeches and who has a rather deadly job on the side, supplying fresh corpses to a businessman. Nettie Beech, a religious fanatic who sees her dead daughter in Dolores and who will do ANYTHING to keep her. The film stars out slow but not boring as you are introduced to the players in this chilling tale so when they do die (always quite bloody) LIke some of the other reviewers of this film I love the black humor of this movie.Unlike alot of shot-on video movies this one looked more professional in tone and in plot-wise miles ahead of the usual slasher genre with it's idiotic teens and unstoppable killers.What makes this film work is how makers quietly let u enter it's twisted world and you discovers all of it's gruesome secrets. So if you want gory but well-made shocker join Dolores and Beeches and Jake Gerald and REST IN PEACE!

AWESOME

[uc96mj · 10/10 · 24 June 2004]

this movie was awesome. The plot keeps you interested the entire time with its sick twists and turns. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good horror flick, that is if you think you can handle it. The acting was truly entertaining. The director and producer owe a lot to the editor, as it helps shape the film so well. I have not seen a film in so long that continuously surprised me with the introduction of each scene. The main character Dolores is frightening, yet strangely sexual when needing to be. The writer Alan Rowe must be a very intelligent person, I cant wait to see what he comes up with next. I do hope there is more of Dolores still to come.

Lighten Up! IT's ONLY A B-MOVIE!!

[barguy49 · 10/10 · 9 August 2004]

Through this site, as well as scouring the 'net, it appears that the reaction to this movie has been quite extreme. There are those that love its bizarre quality and its oddness, to those that despise its amateurness and rough quality. I happen to enjoy this film, quite a bit, but not without reservations. Is this the most polished, well shot, well produced, well acted, and most remarkable film I have ever seen? Of course not. However, this is a film that breaks the current trend of horror movies by being different. I am sick of horror movies where you can figure out the whole story arc, identify each cliché'd character, and map out every scene well in advance. This movie is a winner in those respects. You definitely HAVE NOT seen this story before. You also have absolutely no idea where it is going. The characters are not the cookie-cutter pretty MTV kids that most horror movies seem to utilize these days. These are odd people inhabiting an odd town. I would also dare say, unique and interesting. Not your usual stock characters. Some have noted that the acting is poor, but I disagree.

I have seen literally hundreds of horror films, both independent as well as standard big-budget fare. Granted, there are some over-the top moments, stilten, wooden performances, and groan-inducing scenes, to be sure. However, as any fan of "camp" films will be able to identify, I believe these "over the top moments" were intended to be this way. This is not a literal piece of film-making, folks. For any fan of the sleazy late 60's, 70's and even early 80's horror fare, you may get what the director was paying homage to. I don't think he or the actors thought this was an Oscar piece. No worse than any other indie horror films, I feel. Some may also find fault with the two hour running time. Since most films in the MTV generation are crammed into the 90 minute mold, some may see the extra half hour as an eternity. This is a deliberately paced film. The first 75 minutes is all buildup, leaving an exhilarating 45 minute sprint to the end. The production, while rough at times, still stands heads over heels above most independent offerings.

The cinematography, art direction, lighting, musical score, and film-look are all quite good, considering the obvious budget constraints. It is not like the "shot on video" offerings with grainy picture and awful audio. So, I guess it's going to be a love-it or hate it experience. I just thought it was appropriate to highlight what I thought was "right" about this film, rather than deconstruct its minor failings. I do believe the positives outweigh the negatives. For lovers of trash cinema, midnight movies, or the old sleaze features of the 70's, you'll get it, and appreciate it. Remember, it's not perfect, but it's not supposed to be. It also ain't that bad. So lighten up: IT'S A B-MOVIE!!

see it today!

[jsmith-99 · 8/10 · 29 June 2005]

this is a campy, gory, horror film classic with GREAT performances, high tension, and gruesome disembowelments. a real crowd pleaser. the cast is great all around, and the soap opera that plays bullion to the graphic bloody stew is entertaining and compelling. it all leads up to a highly entertaining climax, so hang on to your seats, its a bumpy, bloody ride! In I'll Bury You Tomorrow, Alan Rowe Kelly introduces us to a wicked array of decedent and deceptive characters with hidden secrets and agenda's that lead them to a final confrontation. as the body count mounts, the tension builds, and the characters morph from good to evil, victim to villain and most of the time living to dead! look for stand out performances by the leads - Zoe and Jerry, and a lively cameo by Alan himself. full of quotable quotes and memorable images that will shock and entertain.

fine full throttle exercise

[christopher-underwood · 8/10 · 18 February 2006]

Exemplary no budget indie that knows exactly where it is going at all times, even if we do not. Most confident showing by director/ writer and super lead performance by Zoe Daelman make this, despite it's length a characterful, engaging and ultimately relentless ride. Full of sex and gore, although admittedly more of the latter and it all works so well because time has been spent in the early sequences introducing us to this bunch of (likeable) nutters. There is eventually a certain inevitability about proceedings but one is never really sure how far a scene will go or whether we really are going to delve into those little dark corners, like necrophilia or child abuse. I'm astonished (but glad) that this film has been released uncut in the UK where up until a few years ago a film would be banned if it used the word 'chainsaw'!! How times have changed and allowed us such delights as this fine full throttle exercise which whilst it has humourless moments does not clown about all the time. Excellent.

Yes, it's gory. But it's a good story.

[sueharris59 · 9/10 · 21 April 2003]

In fact, it's very gory. It is after all, a Horror film. My friends thought it was too gory for them. But I didn't think there was anything unnecessarily graphic about it just for the sake of gore. It's all necessary to the telling of the story. The acting was a little over the top in parts and some of the editing was a little rough. It is, after all, an independent film. But the story is very good, and I like the twist at the end.

Delightful!

[robert-202 · 8/10 · 16 March 2004]

Don't be put off by the title or the poster artwork - this is no ordinary horror. Sure, if you're a horror-head it delivers in bloody gory bucket loads - but if you like intriguing films with an ensemble cast that keep you glued to the screen then this is for you too. It's quite different from the usual low-budget horror flick in that you care about the characters and so when they die - and oh...they die... every last one of them! :) ... there's a much bigger rush. If you like the tales-of-the-unexpected type horror film then this film needs to be in your collection!.. 8/10 Rob

In 2002, Alan Rowe Kelly entered independent horror with this masterpiece

[andyrose_tx · 9/10 · 5 September 2008]

"I'll Bury You Tomorrow" is a great film as the story is 100% original, it's not a retelling of any other film that I am familiar with. Allow me to steal from IMDb's plot summary and synopsis written by Alan to sum this film up in a paragraph: Is there love after death? The small rural community of Port Oram can answer that. When deranged young Dolores Finley (Zoë Daelman Chlanda) appears out of nowhere to begin work at the Beech's Funeral Home, the local mortuary soon becomes more than just a quiet place of rest. Dolores' passion for cadavers gives new meaning to the phrase "disturbing the peace". Written by Alan Rowe Kelly {[e-mail] Zoe is phenomenal in her portrayal of Dolores. The rest of the cast, including Alan in his portrayal of the mortuary's make up artist, Cory, do an incredible job at truly bringing their characters to reality. They are all to be commended for this performance.

The use of makeup f/x with heaping helpings of gore, blood, and prosthetics truly pleased this independent horror film fan. We have dismemberments and disembowelings. We are treated to a strangulation of one victim with another victim's intestines. The blood flows freely as Dolores and Jerry work their way to a decent body count.

This, folks, is the stuff Hollywood should be looking for. Instead, they waste their money on remakes and sequels while creative geniuses like Alan, create low budget horror gems such as this. This, my friends and fans of independent horror is the stuff we should be buying and watching.

Two bloody thumbs up

[jmaguire46 · 10/10 · 21 April 2003]

Alan Rowe Kelly is a breath of fresh air just when needed. Instead of the over-budget, over-produced, over-hyped horror films so common today, he has taken the genre back to its roots. This film is destined to be a cult classic - I look forward to New Millenium's future offerings.

Over the top rubbish

[p-iddon · 21 July 2004]

Gore and over the top reactions are prevalent in this low budget movie. There is plenty of the red stuff to be seen all the way through, as the pretty blonde gets a job caring for the deceased... Necrophilia is a subject that is not often covered in my experience, and I have watched hundreds of films, and this one does it no justice. The thing that gets me the most is the crazy screaming from the female characters, particularly towards the end of the film, along with the awful shouting scenes. I thought most of the acting was wooden at best, with Mr Beech in mind, he may as well have been a Woodentop (see early sixties kiddies series!). The death scenes are gratuitously violent, in keeping with the promise of the film's theme, and the blood spills by the bucket load, but some of the scenes are pathetic. Sorry if this seems a rather scathing attack, but if you plan to buy this, simply don't. Or if you plan to rent it from your video store, choose an alternative title instead. Trust me. This is one to miss....

Rating - 3 out of 10.

Bury Bury Good

[NoDakTatum · 8/10 · 5 October 2023]

As a passionate horror film fan, I have been known to become physically ill when I hear the words "shot-on-video horror film." I have been burned too many times to count, and I did not hold out much hope for this little zinger. Color me surprised, "I'll Bury You Tomorrow" may be one of the best shot-on-video horror films I have ever seen. Dolores (Zoey Daelman Chlanda) pops into a small town with a large trunk in tow and heads for employment at the Beech Funeral Home, run by nerdy Percival Beech (Bill Corry) and his religious nut wife Nettie (Katherine O'Sullivan). The Beechs are mourning the loss of their daughter a decade earlier, and look-alike Dolores knows her way around a mortuary. She's hired, much to the chagrin of make-up artist Corey (Alan Rowe Kelly), and the delight of goofball handyman Jake (Jerry Murdock). Corey and Jake are not only lovers, but make a little scratch on the side selling bodies on the black market. Jake's brother, Mitch (also Jerry Murdock), is the local straight arrow sheriff dating barmaid Ellen (Kristen Overdurf). Ellen has a ne'er-do-well brother of her own, Eddie (P. J. Mehaffey), who is run off the road by Jake and killed. Dolores takes quite a shine to Eddie's remains and keeps them in her closet. It seems while this small town is full of sickos, Dolores is the queen of all sickos, and a psychotic murderer to boot. Bodies start turning up all over, as Mitch and Ellen learn the truth.

Alan Rowe Kelly wrote and directed this over-the-top flick. You can see the character Corey as either a very mannish woman, or a very feminine guy. Either way, they are very good. Kelly does a great job with a very capable cast. Chlanda is unsettling as Dolores. It was about halfway through the film before I realized Jake and Mitch were being played by the same actor, Jerry Murdock. He does an absolutely fantastic job in both parts. Corry and O'Sullivan are also perfectly cast in their roles. Tom Burns' musical score is a great mishmash of strings and noise, and there is even a theme song to hum along to. The editing is crisp, the video picture is pretty clear, and the film does move quickly. My complaints would be minor: a few loose plot points that could have been tied up (the Beech's daughter, the sudden investigation into Dolores' past), and there are a few too many secondary characters that threaten to topple a long film. The gore is pretty good, there are some scattered laughs, and the locations cannot help but work. Alan Rowe Kelly should be congratulated for restoring my faith in the "shot-on-video horror" subgenre.