55 reviews
Pupi Avati's ZEDER, is a different take on the undead genre, but is not a zombie film outright. Rather than being all out 'dead rising from the graves and feeding on the flesh of the living' the film takes its time to build up tension and atmosphere, that adds a genuine sense of creepiness to the films tone. A young journalist, given a typewriter as a present from his girlfriend discovers some text written on the ink ribbon, and threw this mysterious text he uncovers a past story of a scientist called Paolo Zeder, who discovered areas of terrain that can revive the dead. The journalists investigations lead him to a group of outlaw scientists who are attempting to reconstruct these experiments in the present day. Avati clearly goes for atmosphere over gore, though there are a few scenes where we see the aftermath of some murders, the film doesn't show any bodily mutilation, and instead the films builds up tension and dread through suggestion and use of sound, and characters reactions. It's a clever and excellent choice of direction that makes ZEDER stand out as an intelligent and if slightly obscure and offbeat entry into the living dead cycle.
If you were referred to this movie via a search for a classic 'zombie' action/gore-er and are expecting something fast paced with a lot of cool deaths that border on action over drama and mystery - you've been misled by the title. I'm not sure the director intended us to receive this as a 'Dead/Zombi' type title, but it seems that it was marketed over here that way (and who can blame them?)
It's a pretty moderate to slow paced mystery that borrows a lot and innovates a tad (can't expect any more.) There are some cool sequences of discovering various types of secret doors inside dated structures etc. Don't expect it to be anywhere as engrossing or epic as Inferno, but in that same spirit.
What lucio fulci or argento would have done differently is probably added depth to this not by trying to overcomplicate the plot but to add in some truly scary horror elements that involve either on screen or implied brutality from the antagonist(s) that we are unquestionably convinced that they are evil and malicious. A little over the top kill or two only makes the seemingly serious parts 'seem' more serious but makes the movie more of an exciting coaster rather than the not so exciting unfold events that take place here.
No cool 'creatures' 'killers' or anything of that nature. I suppose the idea is to creep us out but too many other movies (even 10-20 years older than this) had already gone above and beyond what this movie is trying to do years later. So even though it's 3 years older than me, I must say as an 80's child that this doesn't hold up anywhere near the other true giallo titles. And always keep in mind, ratings are numbers and never let them discourage you from seeing something you're interested in; if not just to appreciate other titles more !
It's a pretty moderate to slow paced mystery that borrows a lot and innovates a tad (can't expect any more.) There are some cool sequences of discovering various types of secret doors inside dated structures etc. Don't expect it to be anywhere as engrossing or epic as Inferno, but in that same spirit.
What lucio fulci or argento would have done differently is probably added depth to this not by trying to overcomplicate the plot but to add in some truly scary horror elements that involve either on screen or implied brutality from the antagonist(s) that we are unquestionably convinced that they are evil and malicious. A little over the top kill or two only makes the seemingly serious parts 'seem' more serious but makes the movie more of an exciting coaster rather than the not so exciting unfold events that take place here.
No cool 'creatures' 'killers' or anything of that nature. I suppose the idea is to creep us out but too many other movies (even 10-20 years older than this) had already gone above and beyond what this movie is trying to do years later. So even though it's 3 years older than me, I must say as an 80's child that this doesn't hold up anywhere near the other true giallo titles. And always keep in mind, ratings are numbers and never let them discourage you from seeing something you're interested in; if not just to appreciate other titles more !
- bradleybean86
- Jan 9, 2013
- Permalink
- Witchfinder-General-666
- Feb 8, 2011
- Permalink
I love this movie. It is a real thriller/horror but with a particular scent of Italy. Nothing is taken very seriously, or not? You end up hissing "COS-TA" to everybody. It also displays a very young Gabriele Lavia, already gloomy and spooky.
- BandSAboutMovies
- Jun 22, 2021
- Permalink
I bought this movie as "Revenge of the Dead", the cover had zombies rising out of the ground. Thankfully, I knew when I bought it, that it is not a zombie movie per se. I can see why people get ticked, but I rather enjoyed this movie. One person wrote it had good atmosphere and I would be inclined to agree. The plot is basically, a writer gets a present and for some reason is inclined to read the ink ribbon which reveals places known as k-zones. These are places where if a dead body is placed they come back. There are numerous things I have a problem with though despite enjoying it for the most part. Like why is this writer so obsessed with finding out what the k-zones are. There is a part where he talks to someone on the phone and you can't hear what is being said, and the movie kinda fizzles near the end. In fact the best zombie attack is at the beginning of the movie.
In Bologna, the aspirant writer Stefano (Gabriele Lavia) receives a used typewriter that his wife Alessandra (Anne Canovas) bought in a pawn shop as a gift for their first wedding anniversary. Stefano accidentally reads a weird text on the ribbon about some K-fields discovered by Paolo Zeder that reanimate the buried dead and he becomes obsessed to investigate the story with tragic consequences.
"Zeder" is a strange and original Italian zombie movie with a story of obsession. Stefano brings his wife Alessandra to his supernatural journey and the end is predictable. The idea of burying dead bodies to reanimate in a special field of the novel "Pet Sematary" (1983) might have been the inspiration for this film. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Zeder"
"Zeder" is a strange and original Italian zombie movie with a story of obsession. Stefano brings his wife Alessandra to his supernatural journey and the end is predictable. The idea of burying dead bodies to reanimate in a special field of the novel "Pet Sematary" (1983) might have been the inspiration for this film. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Zeder"
- claudio_carvalho
- Dec 10, 2019
- Permalink
Well the variant cover for "Zeder" that I found was one with a zombie coming out of the ground, so naturally I picked up a copy of the movie given my fascination and interest in the zombie genre.
Little did I know that this movie was not a zombie movie. Much less did I know that I was getting myself into a very boring movie that seemed more like a random collection of filmed independent scenes that had later been edited together for being released as a movie. There was just no particular coherency to this movie, at least not much of one that actually served any plot or purpose.
The acting in the movie was adequate, taking into consideration the concept of the movie, the material the actors and actresses had to work with, and the fact that the storyline and script were so unfathomably weak.
The movie seemed to set out to want to accomplish a great many things, but never really coming full circle and delivering on what it sets out to do. So on that account I must say that director and writer Pupi Avati didn't really deliver where it mattered.
I gave up on "Zeder" (aka "Revenge of the Dead") after an hour of suffering and sitting through what felt like a mixture of random nothingness. And I can honestly say that I have no interest in returning to finish the movie at any time.
Little did I know that this movie was not a zombie movie. Much less did I know that I was getting myself into a very boring movie that seemed more like a random collection of filmed independent scenes that had later been edited together for being released as a movie. There was just no particular coherency to this movie, at least not much of one that actually served any plot or purpose.
The acting in the movie was adequate, taking into consideration the concept of the movie, the material the actors and actresses had to work with, and the fact that the storyline and script were so unfathomably weak.
The movie seemed to set out to want to accomplish a great many things, but never really coming full circle and delivering on what it sets out to do. So on that account I must say that director and writer Pupi Avati didn't really deliver where it mattered.
I gave up on "Zeder" (aka "Revenge of the Dead") after an hour of suffering and sitting through what felt like a mixture of random nothingness. And I can honestly say that I have no interest in returning to finish the movie at any time.
- paul_haakonsen
- Feb 21, 2019
- Permalink
To my knowledge this was not supposed to be a zombie film nor was it marketed as a gory zombie, living-dead-type picture as some people may think. It IS a scary, atmospheric ghost story that builds slowly but very effectively. There are creepy sequences throughout the film and the only liability is the guy's voice who dubbed lead actor, Lavia. Otherwise it's one of the few movies from the 1980s from Europe or elsewhere that really stands up as far as creating an atmosphere of supernatural dread. Has a similar feel to some of the latest Japanese horror films such as Hideo Nakata's RING and Kiyoshi Kurosawa's CURE, SEANCE and PULSE. Well worth seeing, especially if you love horror films. Also check out director, Pupi Avati's latest ARCANE ENCHANTER, a great period ghost story. Unfortunately, Avati's scariest film, THE HOUSE WITH WINDOWS THAT LAUGHED is extremely hard-to-find in the U.S. in any form.
- chrisdfilm
- Mar 25, 2002
- Permalink
This movie presents a well-constructed mystery, with an intriguing start (a writer finds text on his typewriter's ink ribbon) which leads to a series of gradual revelations and a nice climax. The fact that the sinister truth appears to be almost within grasp all of the time, but cannot be reached by the protagonist because of the intervention of various shady figures makes for a good suspenseful and unsettling atmosphere. The one big flaw of the movie is however that the plot relies to an absurd amount on coincidences – this could have been done far better. Still, a recommended movie for everyone that likes a horror-themed mystery.
To all the zombie apocalypse fans giving this movie bad reviews: Stop punishing this film for not being what you expected based on the misleading advertising of its American distributor!
To all the zombie apocalypse fans giving this movie bad reviews: Stop punishing this film for not being what you expected based on the misleading advertising of its American distributor!
Writer Stefano (Gabriele Lavia) is given a second-hand electric typewriter by his sexy wife Alessandra (Anne Canovas) and finds a series of words imprinted on the ribbon that gives him an idea for a new book. Investigating the meaning of the words, Stefano stumbles upon the existence of 'K-Zones', special areas that have the power to revive the dead, albeit with disturbing changes to their personality (similar to Stephen King's Pet Sematary, although which came first I do not know). He also finds that he is not alone in trying to discover the true nature of K-Zones: in a conspiracy sub-plot, scientists, doctors, and members of the church are also out to harness the power, with one particular group running experiments in an abandoned hotel, where they attempt to bring a dead priest back from the beyond.
The fact that Zeder has an extremely weird plot doesn't bother me, but the fact that it does it all with such little excitement, tension, gore or nudity did. I can handle the bizarre, but I don't handle being bored quite so well. I need something to hold my attention. Atmosphere the film has in spades, aided no end by a cool synth score by Riz Ortolani, but Pupi Avati's dull treatment led to a wandering mind, which in turn left me more than a little confused. I had the same problem with The House of the Laughing Windows, also by director Pupi Avati: praised by many for its slow-burn approach and cool visuals, I found it insufferably tedious.
Apparently, The House of the Laughing Windows and Zeder are considered to be director Pupi Avati's masterpieces; this being the case, I probably won't be checking out any more of his films in a hurry.
The fact that Zeder has an extremely weird plot doesn't bother me, but the fact that it does it all with such little excitement, tension, gore or nudity did. I can handle the bizarre, but I don't handle being bored quite so well. I need something to hold my attention. Atmosphere the film has in spades, aided no end by a cool synth score by Riz Ortolani, but Pupi Avati's dull treatment led to a wandering mind, which in turn left me more than a little confused. I had the same problem with The House of the Laughing Windows, also by director Pupi Avati: praised by many for its slow-burn approach and cool visuals, I found it insufferably tedious.
Apparently, The House of the Laughing Windows and Zeder are considered to be director Pupi Avati's masterpieces; this being the case, I probably won't be checking out any more of his films in a hurry.
- BA_Harrison
- May 24, 2020
- Permalink
A young journalist buys a second hand typewriter and finds that he can read the imprints on the ribbon,revealing what was last typed on the machine.He pieces together the story of the scientist Paolo Zeder,who discovered K-Zones,areas in which the dead are restored to life.Stefano later encounters a group of scientists who are trying to prove Zeder's theories."Zeder" was directed and co-written by Italian maestro Pupi Avati,whose "House with the Windows That Laugh" is often regarded as one of the masterpieces of Italian horror.In "Zeder" Avati masterfully mixes a genuinely creepy atmosphere with intriguing metaphysical concepts.Unlike Lucio Fulci's gorefests it features little if any gore.There is plenty of an ominous atmosphere of unsettling dread throughout,even when not much is happening.You seldom see zombies,except in occasional glimpses.Overall,"Zeder" is weird and unusual enough to hold interest.A must-see for fans of Italian horror.8 out of 10.
- HumanoidOfFlesh
- May 28, 2009
- Permalink
Okay so it's not a PET SEMATARY per se, but it is similar in the basic concept. There's certain places of special ground where you can bury people and they will come back...after which they have a tendency to attack the living attack the living. As others have stated, this seems to have pre-dated Stephen King's book.
The DVD I watched was titled "Revenge of the Dead" which seems to be the US version, so an Italian or international cut may exist which could vary somewhat in length and contents. The film is a fairly interesting mystery about a man who gets a typewriter from his woman and happens to look at the used ribbon and stumble upon something which bears amateur investigation. He learns from a professor about certain sites where the dead don't stay down if you bury them.
This is NOT a zombie movie really and the number of people who walk around after they've been buried is rather minimal. We don't really see any zombie type feasting scenes either, so zombie fans might want to pass this one up or go into it knowing what they are getting themselves into. It's not half bad though. I liked the dilapidated sites they found for location shooting, they added to the ambiance.
The DVD I watched was titled "Revenge of the Dead" which seems to be the US version, so an Italian or international cut may exist which could vary somewhat in length and contents. The film is a fairly interesting mystery about a man who gets a typewriter from his woman and happens to look at the used ribbon and stumble upon something which bears amateur investigation. He learns from a professor about certain sites where the dead don't stay down if you bury them.
This is NOT a zombie movie really and the number of people who walk around after they've been buried is rather minimal. We don't really see any zombie type feasting scenes either, so zombie fans might want to pass this one up or go into it knowing what they are getting themselves into. It's not half bad though. I liked the dilapidated sites they found for location shooting, they added to the ambiance.
- Death_to_Pan_and_Scan
- Jul 27, 2006
- Permalink
Ignore Grade Z,he gave Blair Witch a good rating,any true genre fan didn't even waste their time w/ that dreck.But if yer big into Bava,Argento,Soavi,Baino and the like this film will knock you out.Genuinely creepy in a Very Italian way.American directors just can't get the atomosphere like these guys can.An incredible film that deserves to be Much more widely seen!!!So if Deep Red,Blood and Black Lace,House w/the windows that laughed and Cemetery Man are yer thing,ya gotta check this out!
- hwg1957-102-265704
- May 4, 2018
- Permalink
- lemon_magic
- May 22, 2016
- Permalink
This film is a pointless exercise in wasting celluloid. A researcher finds an imprint on a typewriter ribbon and decides to investigate his discovery. Apparently, there are these areas known as "K-zones" which can cause the dead to rise and attack the living. It's hard for anyone to prove since no real zombies actually show their rotting faces during anytime in this painfully slow yawner. There is a little aftermath violence where we are witness to the slaughter of a research group, but that's about it in the gore department. Nothing gets resolved and the ending(?) features the strangest choice of sound effect I have ever seen in a horror film. As a die hard zombiphile, I rate this film as the worst zombie movie of all time. Perhaps the worst horror film of all time. Better yet, probably the worst film of all time. Please check out films directed by George Romero, Lucio Fulci, Lamberto Bava, or Jorge Grau for movies that actually have zombies in them.
- Oslo_Jargo
- Nov 23, 2003
- Permalink
They call it a zombie movie but its not really. Its a creepy little thriller.
The plot of this film has a guy running down what was previously typed on a typewriter (he looked at the ribbon to see what the person before typed) and ends up dropped in the middle of a rather strange mystery about places where time stops and the dead come back...
I had read about this in the Italian Zombie movie book and was intrigued. When I happened upon it used at a cheap price I picked it up. It was a good purchase.
This is a film with no real gore. Its a film that builds through atmosphere and through twisting circumstances. Its one of those movies that makes you feel uneasy. You know it doesn't make sense but you have to keep watching because there is something about the internal logic that demands it, you watch it even though your skin is crawling and you're shifting uneasily in your chair.
No its not the best horror film ever made, but its a damn good one. One I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone who wants a decent thriller. Trust me, as some one some what versed in and tired of what is called typical Italian horror, ie films that make no sense and which are very gory, Zeder is a breath of fresh air.
If you're in the mood for something off beat and unexpected in your horror films I'd say rent Zeder, you could do a hell of a lot worse...
And for those pondering the Pet Semetary angle...both this film and Stephen King's book appeared at about the same time
The plot of this film has a guy running down what was previously typed on a typewriter (he looked at the ribbon to see what the person before typed) and ends up dropped in the middle of a rather strange mystery about places where time stops and the dead come back...
I had read about this in the Italian Zombie movie book and was intrigued. When I happened upon it used at a cheap price I picked it up. It was a good purchase.
This is a film with no real gore. Its a film that builds through atmosphere and through twisting circumstances. Its one of those movies that makes you feel uneasy. You know it doesn't make sense but you have to keep watching because there is something about the internal logic that demands it, you watch it even though your skin is crawling and you're shifting uneasily in your chair.
No its not the best horror film ever made, but its a damn good one. One I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone who wants a decent thriller. Trust me, as some one some what versed in and tired of what is called typical Italian horror, ie films that make no sense and which are very gory, Zeder is a breath of fresh air.
If you're in the mood for something off beat and unexpected in your horror films I'd say rent Zeder, you could do a hell of a lot worse...
And for those pondering the Pet Semetary angle...both this film and Stephen King's book appeared at about the same time
- dbborroughs
- Jan 19, 2008
- Permalink
"Zeder", released in 1983, is almost identical to the American film released in 1989, "Pet Sematary". This makes me wonder who had the idea first? The two films carry the same basic idea; that there are special places where the buried dead will walk again. Granted, coincidences can happen, but the final scene from both films are exactly the same. I'm not sure when Stephen King originally wrote his novel "Pet Sematary", but it's very hard to believe this happened all by chance.
Reading some of the reviews for this movie really gets me going. Kids,STAY AWAY FROM INTELLIGENT HORROR MOVIES!! Go watch another "Smiling Pervert Zombies" or something of that nature. This movie is way above your intelligence level and you will NEVER get it. Don't hate this movie because there is not enough zombies in it! It never promised to be a zombie gore fest. Instead,it is a great horror movie with a wonderful premise and some really spooky scenes("awakening in the coffin "scene!) Great,original movie and I LOVED it!! Well recommended!!
- heartofmetal
- Dec 14, 2001
- Permalink
The general consensus of Italian filmmakers seems to be that they specialise in making trashy, gory and derivative horror films in a number of set and overpopulated genres. This view is not exactly unfounded as a lot of Italian films are cheap and trashy, and often rip-offs of successful American films. However, Pupa Avati can't be pigeon holed in the same way; despite making films in popular Italian genres such as zombies and Giallo, his films are by no means cheap and trashy and certainly not rip-offs either. Anyone going into this film expecting a zombie movie along the same lines as 'The Beyond' will be sorely disappointed, as Avati's film prefers to take the slow and thoughtful approach. The plot focuses on a journalist named Stefano. He is bought an old typewriter by his girlfriend. He soon notices that there's something written on the ribbon and after deciphering it, he uncovers the story of Paulo Zeder; a scientist from the 1950's who discovered that certain types of ground, which he calls "K-Zones', have the power to resurrect the dead...
A lot of people have called this film "thinking mans horror" and while that could be said of it, the argument that the film is boring does carry a little bit of weight also - needless to say, this film is not what springs to mind when one thinks of an Italian zombie film! The film is very slow and the plot is very strung out over the ninety seven minute running time. There are moments in the film that are boring, and this is problem; but Pupa Avati, as he proved with his earlier film The House With the Windows that Laugh, certainly has a penchant for slow burn horror and the overall film does manage to remain interesting for the duration. There are some good ideas on display, although I'm not sure if this really should be called a "zombie movie" as it's more along the lines of a mystery thriller. There are a few good moments of horror, though the zombies aren't flesh eating. The best idea of the whole film doesn't come until almost at the end - and by then it's a bit late as there isn't time to explore it, which is a shame. Anyway, Zeder is an interesting horror flick and while it won't appeal to all tastes, I can still recommend it.
A lot of people have called this film "thinking mans horror" and while that could be said of it, the argument that the film is boring does carry a little bit of weight also - needless to say, this film is not what springs to mind when one thinks of an Italian zombie film! The film is very slow and the plot is very strung out over the ninety seven minute running time. There are moments in the film that are boring, and this is problem; but Pupa Avati, as he proved with his earlier film The House With the Windows that Laugh, certainly has a penchant for slow burn horror and the overall film does manage to remain interesting for the duration. There are some good ideas on display, although I'm not sure if this really should be called a "zombie movie" as it's more along the lines of a mystery thriller. There are a few good moments of horror, though the zombies aren't flesh eating. The best idea of the whole film doesn't come until almost at the end - and by then it's a bit late as there isn't time to explore it, which is a shame. Anyway, Zeder is an interesting horror flick and while it won't appeal to all tastes, I can still recommend it.