The Mothertown (2014) User Reviews

Low budget blood and guts in the potteries - alreet duck

[one9eighty · 7/10 · 9 August 2017]

A super fun, extremely low budget zombie film set in Stoke-on-Trent by local film maker John Williams.

Something got into the water and has infected the populous, survivors run for cover (and to hide in the nearest pub) from the flesh-eating hordes of zombies dredging through the potteries. The film follows different groups of people as they cope with the outbreak in their own unique way. From sadomasochistic sex pests to local louts, nobody is safe. Cameo performances from Pete Bennett and Nick Hancock help to add a bit of class to the film which is dripping with fake blood and dodgy zombies.

While everything is done low budget and intended to look and feel that way it generally works well. It wouldn't look too far out of place next to 'Basket Case' or 'Bad Taste' on a shelf of 80's horror films. The pace of the film varies at times which I think is my biggest criticism, not to say this feels wrong as I'd expect anything with zombies in to slowly trudge at times. There is enough humour here to keep you entertained, and while there are a few local 'in' jokes here it's nothing that'll stop your enjoyment or detract from the film.

I loved this film (but then I would as I am one of the zombies in it so I'm biased!), but so has everyone I've lent a copy of the film to. It's definitely worth a watch and I've rated higher funded films a lot lot lower, this has a heart and a story so will always get a decent write up from me. Enjoy!

Low budget, high enthusiasm!

[jen-193-549899 · 8/10 · 23 December 2014]

This film is hilarious! It's one of the most fun budget zombie flicks I've ever seen, with some great quotable one-liners and a host of likable characters who all find their own unique ways of coping when the zombie apocalypse hits unsuspecting Stoke-on-Trent.

Most of the effects were simple and well thought-out, saving the proper gore for a few select moments. The zombie make-up was effective and the horde scenes really came to (un)life on the screen.

The plot was a simple, classic storyline of ravenous rampaging zombies overrunning the town and trying to eat people, but it also had a few nice twists and touches along the way. Mostly it focused on the characters and how they were affected: action film fans trying to be heroes, devout Christians seeking safety in church, and a heartless (and talentless) reporter desperate to make a name for himself... oh, and the pair who were too "tied up" to know what was happening when their mistress suddenly disappeared!

There were a few local in-jokes, but they're not so frequent or important as to be off-putting for anyone who doesn't know Stoke-on-Trent. The real added benefit for anyone who knows the area is spotting the various local sights, with much of it filmed in and around Burslem.

Blood, Snot & Oatcakes

[Mr_Frontispiece · 8/10 · 23 December 2014]

Had the pleasure of being present for the premier of 'The Mothertown' amongst many of the cast and crew. Not involved myself, but I've had a keen eye on its production from the initial fund-raising appeal to get it up and running.

For a tiny budget, John Williams (director, writer, actor etc etc) has produced a cracking film. Where it suffers a bit from a technical point of view, it gets back in its wit and invention. Laugh out loud moments and gore are a plenty as the story follows various groups of (for the time being) survivors as they struggle to deal with the sudden zombie outbreak in Stoke On Trent. Think of Peter Jackson's early efforts and you will be on the right track.

Look out for an utterly bananas performance from Big Brother's Pete Bennett and a memorable 'extended cameo' from television's Nick Hancock

Track it down if you can.

A City is infected... And the dead don't want oatcakes.

[daniel_t_lewis · 10/10 · 21 October 2015]

This film is set in Stoke on Trent and the water supply is infected, turning the residents into the walking dead. The story follows a series of survivors, in their bid to flee the flesh munching dead. Follow the two security guards in their vigilante bid for freedom, a pair of pleasure seekers, trapped in a place they must explain to their wives, a God Fearing mother and her son inflicted with tourettes, and the Southern Reporter, recording live feeds as his duty (played by Pete Bennett) Watch out for the cameo of Nick Hancock, and an impressive cast of undead, this certainly is one to watch as a present cult classic. Plenty of blood and comedy in this first feature film from John Williams.

zombies, oatcakes and stoke on trent

[shadowencounters · 10/10 · 24 October 2015]

wow what can I say zombies taking over stoke on trent, and not even Robbie Williams in sight. this as got be on of the best low budjet zombie films ever made. you think you've seen every zombie going? this puts zombies and gore in a whole new light, for his first big feature john Williams as do brilliant cant wait to see what he comes up with next, oh and keep your eyes open for the blind man zombie with a guide dog pure genius and a sure classic well done john. when I first heard about a zombie film made around stoke on trent I laughed thing really do we have the right atmosphere? have we got the right settings/ yes john went and found some brilliant places to film this, even though the sound isn't that good the zombies and the gore is what you wait for from the start to the finish and just when you thought it couldn't get any better it does from the scenes in the church and the guest cameo Nick Hancock is funny but does he die? watch it find out.....