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Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore

Play trailer Poster for Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore 2010 1h 46m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
John Waters, Joe Bob Briggs and Frank Henenlotter are among those interviewed in a career overview of exploitation-film titan Herschell Gordon Lewis.
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Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore

Critics Reviews

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Simon Abrams House Next Door There are myriad reasons why the term "torture porn" never made sense and one of the most important is the irrevocable impact Herschell Gordon Lewis's schlocky gore cinema had on American movies. Mar 11, 2011 Full Review Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter This entertaining portrait of the legendary exploitation filmmaker is probably more fun than actually watching his films. Mar 10, 2011 Full Review Jim Slotek Jam! Movies It would be naive not to expect bad taste in a movie about bad taste. Rated: 3/5 Sep 2, 2011 Full Review Norman Wilner NOW Toronto Initially enjoyable, the doc grows overindulgent of its subject. Rated: 2/5 Sep 2, 2011 Full Review Maitland McDonagh Film Journal International Crammed with clips, behind-the-scenes footage and other archival material, this documentary love letter to pioneering exploitation filmmaker Herschell Gordon Lewis is aimed squarely at fans of his boundary-testing gore and nudie movies. Mar 11, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member He has often been called offensive, untalented, degenerate, and utterly reprehensible, but to Horror fans, he is best known as Herschell Gordon Lewis, the Godfather of Gore! With BLOOD FEAST, Lewis and producer David F. Friedman introduced the world to the very first gore film, which changed the cinematic landscape forever. Now, director Frank Henenlotter (BASKET CASE) takes a look back at Lewis' remarkable career in the new documentary HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS, THE GODFATHER OF GORE. From his early beginnings in the 'Nudie Cutie' films to the advent of gore and on through to his later entries like THE WIZARD OF GORE and THE GORE GORE GIRLS, we are given the complete and definitive history for one of Horror's most influential filmmakers as told by his cast and crew along with many other special guests. In addition to both David F. Friedman and H.G. Lewis, notable critics and directors like Joe Bob Briggs, John Waters, and even Frank Henenlotter, himself, pop in with insightful commentary and hilarious stories surrounding the films. GODFATHER is sharply edited with a wonderful integration of film clips that enhance each conversation on screen. Henenlotter has chosen only the most interesting and engaging stories to include in the documentary, along with over an hour of additional scenes that did not quite make the cut. Viewers are also given the very first look at Lewis' never-before-seen AN EYE FOR AN EYE, which remains unedited and unreleased to this very day. While the documentary will certainly only appeal to hardcore exploitation and gore fans, admirers of Herschell Gordon Lewis will admit that this is a fitting tribute and an excellent book end to a wild and crazy career. -Carl Manes I Like Horror Movies Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Really enjoyed this breezy look at the life of the man who originated the 'splatter' film, old HGL himself. There's a lot of history at play here, and you get some fun peeks into the behind the scenes moments and what turned the man on the path that he took, which was largely out of a desire to make money, not a larger artistic vision, which I guess is a little depressing on some levels, but is a very pragmatic way of looking at things as well. Worth a look for sure, especially for fans of no budget film-making and the men behind the camera. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Herschell Gordon Lewis may be the Godfather of Gore but he's also one of the pioneers of exploitation. Starting out ripping of Russ Meyers by making nudie cuties he switched gears & made gore pornographic. lol you even got a vomit bag when when you went to see one of his movies. Personally I don't give Lewis a lot of credit because his film are just a car wreck but I actually should. There is definite cult to be found in them & he just didn't limit himself to gore movies even though that is what he is most famous for. A hack in the very least this is still an interesting documentary into the man's work including an expansive look @ this work, interviews & outtakes. Probably more then what the man is worth but still should be sought out by fans of his atrocities..now Im going to get me some fried chicken Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis John Waters, Joe Bob Briggs and Frank Henenlotter are among those interviewed in a career overview of exploitation-film titan Herschell Gordon Lewis.
Director
Frank Henenlotter, Jimmy Maslon
Producer
Jimmy Maslon, Mike Vraney
Production Co
Something Weird Video (SWV)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 27, 2011
Runtime
1h 46m
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