WTFFILM takes a step into RED ZONE CUBA [1961]

wtffilm · November 23, 2008, 05:24:11 PM

Coleman Francis once again takes center stage at Wtf-Film.com - dare I say that I actually liked this movie?

NIGHT TRAIN TO MUNDO FINE / RED ZONE CUBA [1961] Coleman Francis
http://www.wtf-film.com/ARTICLES/NOVEMBER_2008/NIGHT_TRAIN.shtml

Kindest regards,

Kevin P.
http://www.wtf-film.com

Doc Daneeka · November 23, 2008, 09:03:17 PM

As a genuine fan of MANOS, I commend you for giving such an ostracized film a fair review!

On that note, do you know where I can find the uncut version so I can judge for myself? :P

(P.S. Did Ishiro Honda really direct??

)

wtffilm · November 24, 2008, 01:04:08 AM

Check out Cinemageddon.org - someone there upped the full version for download. As far as VHS and DVD's go, I have no idea - I think Something Weird had this out at some point.

As for Honda . . . oops!

Kindest regards,

Kevin P.

wtffilm · December 04, 2008, 03:05:14 PM

It's Francis Mania at WTFFILM it seems - along with modifying the above linked review, I also have a new write up of THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS.

http://www.wtf-film.com/ARTICLES/DECEMBER_2008/YUCCA_FLATS.shtml
THE BEAST OF YUCCA FLATS

And now with its title correctly spelled -
http://www.wtf-film.com/ARTICLES/NOVEMBER_2008/NIGHT_TRAIN.shtml
NIGHT TRAIN TO MUNDO FINE / RED ZONE CUBA

I had hoped to review THE SKYDIVERS as well, but don't have a copy to screen at the moment. As always, hope you enjoy the reviews (and the revised layout, in this case).

Kindest regards,

Kevin P.
http://www.wtf-film.com

Jape · December 13, 2008, 06:42:35 PM

I have to admit this is one of those rare D-Movies that intrigues me, I can't say I thought highly of it but as the review points out, there is some interesting ideas behind it. Good review BTW

Rev. Powell · December 13, 2008, 07:11:22 PM

I like your general take on Coleman. I like to think that some of the "bad" directors know a lot more about what they're doing than audiences give them credit for. When watching a film by the perpetually depressed Francis Coleman, I have to wonder if he didn't make his movies deliberately bleak, absurd, and pointless because that's the way he experienced life. At times, I fear he may be correct in his view.

wtffilm · December 15, 2008, 08:46:41 PM

I'm actually doing preliminary research to see if there's enough information out there for me to compile a biography and filmography for Francis in book form. We'll see where that goes.

Having watched The Beast of Yucca Flats and Red Zone Cuba as many times as I have now, I'd go out on a limb and say that the bleak and cynical tone of both is definitely intentional. As I say in the reviews, I suspect his world view was influenced by his growing up during the Great Depression, though I'd like to know what other factors were responsible.

Kindest regards,

Kevin P.
http://www.wtf-film.com

wtffilm · January 14, 2009, 09:25:12 AM

Well, my research into the life and career of Coleman Francis is in full swing and a page dedicated to it has been posted to wtf-film.com:

http://www.wtf-film.com/PROJECTS/COLEMAN_FRANCIS.shtml
The Coleman Francis Biography Project

I was deeply saddened by the very recent passing of Ray Dennis Steckler - a friend of Francis towards the end of his life and maker of truly bizarre films in his own right - whom I had hoped to interview for the project. Still, I'm finding more and more leads as time goes on and have high hopes for this effort as a whole.

Kindest regards,

Kevin P.
http://www.wtf-film.com