Movie Review: Blood & Flesh – The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson

Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson (2019)
Directed by David Gregory
Starring Al Adamson, Stevee Ashlock, John Bloom, Bud Cardos, Robert Dix, Tim Ferrante, Marilyn Joi, Gary Kent, Fred Olen Ray, Sam Sherman, Russ Tamblyn, Vilmos Zsigmond

Al Adamson’s films are really the epitome of what I consider a Turkey. It might not be well made, but it is usually entertaining. At the end of the day, that is all you can hope for in a movie. The more I had read and learned about Adamson, the more of his titles that I saw, like a few other low budget filmmakers, like Larry Buchanan, I discovered that I admired them more than their movies. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the wacky titles they would put out, but knowing a little history behind the production and the people that made it, it made me appreciate it for what it was, and not what it wasn’t. That is one of the reasons that I think this new documentary is just fantastic. It gives newer fans a better perspective of this man and his work, showing a method to the madness, as the saying goes. And even for older fans that maybe wrote Adamson and his work off, it will give them a little more insight that might change the way they see them now.

The documentary starts off giving a great introduction to Adamson, his father, and how he got started in the movie business. If anything, it really shows his drive and dedication to the business. And almost like a cheaper version of Roger Corman, there were a lot of people that came up through his “independent film school” that went on to do great things as well, many of them you get to hear from in this documentary. Bud Cardos has done just about every job in the business, from stuntman to production manager to producer and director. He started working with Adamson on Blood of Dracula’s Castle (1969) and would work with him on five other features. Russ Tamblyn, star of West Side Story, appeared in a few Adamson titles. And the list goes on. Even cameramen that would go on to win Academy Awards, such as Vilmos Zsigmond, who would win for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. You worked cheap, but you learned your craft. You get to hear from these people, as well as many others who knew and worked with him, especially Sam Sherman, who was Adamson’s partner in a lot of these productions.

We learn of the wonderful relationship he had once he met Regina Carrol, and the tragedy that would take her way too soon. We learn that Adamson was working on a UFO documentary/movie that got him deep into some really weird stuff and people. But still giving you an insight to this guy.

Then we get to yet another tragedy, one right out of one of his movies, his own murder. We hear from the police that were involved in the case, and even Adamson’s housekeeper that was there throughout all of this. Her emotional interview is just heartbreaking. Once again, no matter what you might think of his films, the lost of this filmmaker was just dreadful.

One good thing that we do have, which I bet Al is looking down upon and smiling, is that David Gregory, through his company Severin Films, have not only produced and directed this documentary, but have released a huge box set of Adamson’s films, giving fans the opportunity to see this films like they probably never have before. Yes, there are some real stinkers in there. But even if it doesn’t show talent, it definitely shows Adamson’s drive, as well as everyone else involved.

Any fan of exploitation films, horror films, or filmmakers in general, need to watch this film. Getting so much insight to this unique filmmaker can only make you appreciate him more. I know it has for me.