1980, Lucio Fulci
with Christopher George, Catriona MacColl and Carlo De Mejo
First in Fulci’s infamous Gates of Hell trilogy, City of the Living Dead, also known as the Gates of Hell, took a new approach to the genre.
No longer were zombies lumbering hordes created by science or ancient curses. Instead, City of the Living Dead unleashed the undead straight from the bowels of Hell. Still hungering for human flesh, these zombies did not stumble around dumbfounded but utilized levitation, teleportation and super strength in their quest to brutally eviscerate all of mankind.
After the Catholic priest Father William Thomas hangs himself in a cemetery, he inadvertently opens one of the seven gates of hell and unleashes the zombie hordes.
Investigating reporter Peter Bell (Christopher George) along with psychic Mary Woodhouse (Catriona MacColl) travel to Dunwich, New England, and from the Book of Enoch learn that they must close the portal to Hell before All Saints Day, or the spirits of the dead will overtake the earth.
Given the infamous X-rating until 2001, City of the Living Dead began Fulci’s first exploration of death and the metaphysical that would become the hallmark of his work.
* Discount taken at door.