OOP DVD
Alrighty, now most people have already been subjected to the following information several hundred times but there are quite a few out there that have no idea there was any controversy behind this film so here goes:
The Last Broadcast is not a Blair Witch Project rip-off. It was made a whole two years BEFORE The Blair Witch Project. The creators of The Blair Witch Project have also stated that, yes, they did see The Last Broadcast before making The Blair Witch Project. Unfortunately for Last Broadcast creators Avalos and Weiler, The Blair Witch Project was picked up and had major studio money backing it.
What I find especially funny is that Ruggero (Cannibal Holocaust) Deodato had at one time expressed that a lawsuit was being considered in response to The Blair Witch Project’s obvious snatch and grab from Cannibal Holocaust. Technically, Deodato should have set his sights on The Last Broadcast crew instead but both Last Broadcast creators and Blair Witch creators deny being influenced in any way by Cannibal Holocaust. Interesting.
I guess Ecclesiastes was right, there truly is nothing new under the sun.
Anyhow, The Last Broadcast is still with us and has the unique distinction of being the film ever screened in theaters digitally. While that certainly doesn’t make up for “what could have been”, it’s far better than vanishing forever into shot-on-video obscurity as most low budget affairs do.
The Last Broadcast is created as a mockumentary in which documentary filmmaker David Leigh (David Beard) introduces us to the “Fact or Fiction?” crime and the major players involved with this horrible incident that occurred in the Pines Barrens of New Jersey.
Basically, two cable access hosts, Steven “Johnny” Avkast (Stefan Avalos) and Locus Wheeler (Lance Weiler), decide to step up the subject matter of their failing cable access show “Fact or Fiction?” and open things up to suggestions from fans and viewers. Through IRC chat, a fan suggests the do a show on the infamous Leeds Devil or Jersey Devil and before you can say “CRYPTOZOOLOGICAL” they hook up with Rein Clackin (Rein Clabbers), a soundman that specializes in paranormal phenomena, and loner Jim Suerd (Jim Seward), a guy that claims to be physic.
Their goal is to head out to the desolate Pin Barrens, a 1 million acre forest, located in New Jersey and seek out the fabled Jersey Devil. Jim Suerd is there to psychically guide them to the idea spot in which they’d be able to catch the Jersey Devil on film or expose the whole legend itself.
Naturally, tensions flare and alliances are made. The forest is a harsh, unforgiving place and during the broadcast, the connection is lost. The only one to walk away from the forest is Jim Suerd and after a thorough search, authorities discover the mutilated body remains of two bodies and absolutely no sign of the third. Obviously, all signs point to Jim Suerd as the murderer or Steven Avkast, Locus Wheeler and Rein Clackin despite lack of motive and hard evidence. The only thing linking Suerd to the scene of the crime and the murders is a series of blood droplets discovered on his jacket that match the blood of the three dead men.
Convicted for the murders, Jim Suerd commits suicide behind bars and the truth as to what really happened in the Pine Barrens that night is lost forever. Or is it?
Not longer after Suerd’s death, documentary filmmaker David Leigh receives a box containing mangled video tape. This very tape turns out to be the last tape used during the “Fact or Fiction?” teams last broadcast. The tape was never found and therefore was never able to be used to exonerate Jim Suerd.
Leigh enlists the aid of data retrieval specialist Shelly Monarch (Michele Pulaski) in an effort to carefully reconstruct the damaged footage and hopefully expose the truth and the team’s last minutes. A dangerous secret lies within the images of the video and Leigh and Monarch are determined to discover just who or what murdered those men.
Well, I must say, The Last Broadcast was definitely well done. It’s also fairly obvious to see where The Blair Witch team got their inspiration. Unfortunately, The Blair Witch Project was simply better. I’m not just saying the media blitz and marketing monster was better…the film itself was just all around better than The Last Broadcast.
Now, I know Weiler and Avalos have always asked that people judge their film on its own merits but comparisons are bound to happen. I can’t imagine how it must feel to create something only to have somebody come along, rip you off and do it better but that’s where it’s at.
TLB had some great acting and the story was interesting but I’m one of those people that disliked the “breaking the P.O.V.” twist. I don’t think I would have been half as traumatized watching this as I had been while watching The Blair Witch Project in the theater.
Heretic Films has definitely given The Last Broadcast a second chance to shine with this release and hopefully fans of TLB will enjoy this wonderful package. Heretic has included so many damn extras you’re guaranteed hours of enjoyment. They’ve even included a mini-comic written by Steve Bissette! Obviously, the transfer quality for this is going to be sketchy because that’s the whole concept! The sound is decent and colors look great.
The Last Broadcast isn’t a bad little film but it is light on tension. It’s actually not in the slightest bit “scary” but it was a learning experience for directors Avalos, who went on to make Ghosts of Edendale, and Weiler, who went on to make the fantastic Head Trauma. It’s going to be a hit or miss for some of you out there, especially those of you that hated The Blair Witch Project. I’d recommend renting first.
