Written by: Jase Marsiglia
An author named Howard Hallenbeck (David Dukes, infamous for playing Edith’s would-be rapist in a harrowing episode of "All in the Family") takes his family to Ireland while researching a book on the country’s religious architecture, artwork, and ancient monolithic sites. During a violent rainstorm, a bolt of lightning strikes a stone column in a cemetery, unleashing Rawhead Rex—an ancient, carnivorous, punk-rock-looking monster that rises from the earth and begins stalking the Irish countryside, brutally tearing people apart.
When Howard spots Rex standing on a hill holding a severed head aloft, he rushes to the authorities, who naturally dismiss his story. But as traumatized witnesses begin describing the same creature, and a steadily growing pile of mutilated bodies turns up across the countryside, it becomes clear something far worse than folklore is at work. Adding to the madness is a deranged priest (Ronan Wilmot) who not only seems to know what’s happening, but may actually be encouraging it. Rex, it turns out, is very real, very hungry, and killing indiscriminately.
Rawhead Rex (1986)
⭐⭐½
Based on the short story by Clive Barker from the third volume of his "Books of Blood" collections, "Rawhead Rex" features a pretty rad creature design—even if the monster’s permanently enraged rubber face never changes expression. The film also boasts a suitably gothic atmosphere, gorgeous Irish countryside cinematography, and the guts to go places most creature features wouldn’t dare. Even if you might expect the snarling beast to devour children (I sure didn’t), a “baptism by urine” definitely wasn’t on my bingo card.
Despite a rather silly mystical ending and a final jump scare that makes little sense, "Rawhead Rex" remains a fun little creature feature. Considering the monster’s name is essentially a crude joke, the film delivers plenty of gore, a respectable body count, and a memorable creature design. Director George Pavlou (who would later helm "Underworld") does a solid job building small-town tension, unleashing monster-movie carnage, and framing the entire affair against dark, foreboding gothic scenery. Though Clive Barker has famously expressed disappointment with the finished film, "Rawhead Rex" has since gained a modest cult following and remains a serviceable slice of folk horror.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR "RAWHEAD REX" BELOW
Home Video
For many years, "Rawhead Rex" languished on VHS, where it was difficult to track down and usually presented in a bare-bones, unimpressive fullscreen transfer without even a theatrical trailer.
In 2017, however, Kino Lorber gave the film a much-needed upgrade, releasing it with a generous batch of extras. These included a commentary track by director George Pavlou, interviews with monster performer Heinrich von Bünau, creature effects artists Peter Mackenzie Litten, John Schroonraad, and Gerry Johnson, second unit cameraman Sean Corcoran, makeup artist Rosie Blackmore, and film historian Stephen Bissette. The release also featured concept art by Paul Catling, a theatrical trailer, and a liner-notes booklet with an essay by film historian Kat Ellinger.
The following year, Arrow Video’s UK division released its own edition, porting over all of Kino’s extras while adding several new features. These included a commentary by The Hysteria Continues, an audio introduction from director George Pavlou, new interviews with actors Hugh O’Conor and Cora Venus Lunny, composer Colin Towns, and Pavlou himself, along with a new 4K transfer and reversible cover artwork.
Bits ‘n’ Pieces
Traum-A-Meter:
3 out of 4.
Expect plenty of nasty monster carnage, including ripped-off heads and limbs, gruesome gashes, and… demon urine.
Today’s Jam: While Rawhead Rex was prowling the Irish countryside in search of victims, Ann and Nancy Wilson were dominating the airwaves with their dreamy 1986 hit “These Dreams.”
This Episode’s Moral
Getting out of the library for on-site research is cool. Getting the hell out of town when a monster shows up is smart.
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