Deadbeat At Dawn
Synapse Films

DVD, 1988, 80 mins.

review by Shade Rupe

Jim van Bebber is one of the most talked about of modern independent directors. And by independent we're not talking all that boring twenty-somethings in New York crap, we're talking someone who's making movies by the skin of his teeth, or more apt, the flesh off his bone.

After making numerous 8mm short films Jim embarked on a feature film in the last '80s that would resonate for years in cult collectordom. Receiving a limited, and barely paid, release on Ketchum Video, Deadbeat At Dawn has been discussed, hunted for, and praised for over ten years.

Thankfully Synapse Films has corrected the film's 'lost' aspects and created this release, complete with commentary from Van Bebber, Mike King, actor Marc Pittman, and a British cineaste (whose comments are so short and clipped, they're really not worthwhile; sorry old chap!). Having had the film on two different self-produced releases from Van Bebber himself, I always liked the film, loved the film, and after a few years of leaving the old crappy VHS on the shelf, I ate this flick up with three repeat viewings, the second to listen to the insightful audio commentary from the ever-drawling Van Bebber and guests.

Many independent filmmakers make attempts to duplicate a style of film they have long been fans of. Van Bebber is one of the few to get it right. An astounding display of street martial arts, blood-drenched violence, gang warfare, hardcore drug use, editing, and an engrossing score create a classic of street cinema.

Van Bebber himself plays Goose, the gang leader often at odds with rival. After a knife battle in the local cemetery, Goose tells his girl that he's leaving the gangs and will only be for her. His nemesis decides this is not the correct path for Goose and sets up a plan for revenge that leaves Goose alive and his girl dead. Burning with angst and loss, Goose first descends into a nightmare of drug use, suicidal thoughts, and bloody apparitions of his lost love.

Thwarting a heist, Goose makes off with the cash and the film moves toward one of the most amazing climaxes in late 20th-century cinema. Violent, fast-paced and wild, the last 10 minutes of Deadbeat At Dawn deserve serious study for any action film aficiando.

Sadly, Mr. Van Bebber made many statements, which were made public through the internet, deriding the quality of the film's transfer. I only have my previous two VHS copies to judge against but this is the best the film has ever looked to me (I also caught it during the film's New York Premiere in 1995 and this still looks better).

My Sweet Satan, Jim's notorious short film telling of the Ricky Casso killing, does not fare so well. Intensely artifact-ridden, this portion of the DVD I could easily see being redone. The DVD also includes the trailer for 'Chunk Blower,' a short-lived project that only made it to the trailer stage (and includes the late Dwayne Goettel of Skinny Puppy and Bill Leeb from Frontline Assembly. And yes, the flames really did go over their heads [if you look at the shot of the Polaroids, you'll see yours truly in the pic all the way to the left]), and there's a bonus 'Easter Egg' video for the Skinny Puppy track 'Spasmolytic' that you can access through the main menu. Also included are some outtakes from Deadbeat.

Although Mr. Van Bebber may disagree with the film's transfer, it does little to diminish the power of this effort, and we can only hope that someone intervenes and fathers him through another full-length feature film, with an upfront budget, and plenty of blood and grue.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
www.synapse-films.com

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