View Full Version : Fulci Zombie VS Shark...Cool or Stupid?
inkmachine
08-30-2009, 02:31 AM
Ok, I was watching Zombie the other day and the scene with the zombie vs shark came on and my friend laughed and said that was the stupidest f*cking thing he's ever seen.
My reaction was WTF are you crazy???
So what do you guys think of that scene? I have always loved it as I felt it showed that the zombie was ravenous for flesh and blood no matter where it comes from. That it was a primal instinct in the zombie. I always loved it and still do.
old-boo-radley
08-30-2009, 02:32 AM
One of the coolest scenes in any exploitation/horror films. Legendary.
The Chaostar
08-30-2009, 02:38 AM
Both. If you can't enjoy something that seems a bit stupid though, you don't love cinema. ;)
dave13
08-30-2009, 02:57 AM
its 100% awesome.
Mutilated Prey
08-30-2009, 02:59 AM
I love it - yer friend needs a pop in the head.
Anthropophagus
08-30-2009, 03:12 AM
Best part of the film for me. Thought it was very cool.
I thought the idea was really stupid, until I saw it, and then I thought it was awesome!
It had the potential to be a disaster, but Fulci really made it work well.
chrismac87
08-30-2009, 03:30 AM
Ironically I just watched this with some of my pals over Xbox Live via Netflix and they thought this was one of the coolest scenes in the film.
They were trying to figure out where the zombie's air tube was, looking for water bubbles, etc. and they just couldn't pick this scene apart. As a matter of fact when the zombie rips the hunk of flesh from the shark, they were like, "Shit did they really just tear that off the shark!?"
An awesome scene for a great film.
Cool and stupid. 80% of the shit in that film is idiotic. That's why I love it.
chrismac87
08-30-2009, 04:02 AM
This is very true.
My friends were trying to figure out how the island could be uncharted if there was power there and where the power would be coming from. I suggested generators but they said it would have to be charted for the fuel company to make their deliveries and exactly where would all the money for said power come from?
It's just one illogical plot hole after another, but it's still a fantastic film.
Someday I hope to think it's as cool as y'all do. For now, put me in the "It's stupid" camp
Horrorphilly
08-30-2009, 04:30 AM
I think the scene is sorta odd but it fits the atmosphere of the movie.I could care less if it was in the movie or not.Zombie is one of my top 3 movies of all time.
sean
CrazyFatEthel
08-30-2009, 04:39 AM
I thought that he took a rediculous concept and made it work. I think that Zombie is my favorite movie of his.
X-human
08-30-2009, 04:49 AM
Everyone's forgetting the most important part of the whole damn scene; topless scuba diver!
I think this scene is the pinnacle of zombie movies. There is no scene in any film before or since that has out done it.
And god damn if this ain't the coolest shirt on the planet:
http://www.fright-rags.com/images/prod_vs-shark.jpg (http://www.fright-rags.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=215)
CrazyFatEthel
08-30-2009, 04:50 AM
Everyone's forgetting the most important part of the whole damn scene; topless scuba diver!
I think this scene is the pinnacle of zombie movies. There is no scene in any film before or since that has out done it.
And god damn if this ain't the coolest shirt on the planet:
http://www.fright-rags.com/images/prod_vs-shark.jpg (http://www.fright-rags.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=215)
:eek:......I WANT IT!!!!
Severn
08-30-2009, 05:04 AM
It's cool. A long time ago (long, long time) my babysitter popped in her LD of Zombi and besides scaring the shit out of me the shark/zombie scene mesmerized me. I don't think I've seen like that since in a zombie movie.
Everyone's forgetting the most important part of the whole damn scene; topless scuba diver!
I think this scene is the pinnacle of zombie movies. There is no scene in any film before or since that has out done it.
And god damn if this ain't the coolest shirt on the planet:
http://www.fright-rags.com/images/prod_vs-shark.jpg (http://www.fright-rags.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=215)
That is a very cool shirt!
Shannafey
08-30-2009, 05:30 AM
It should be stupid, but I LOVE that scene!!!
rhett
08-30-2009, 05:54 AM
Yeah, it really is a legendary scene. I think it works in a lot of ways too. It's like Fulci saying "Okay, so you guys think JAWS is scary? Well this zombie just fucking OWNED it." And then on a more thematic level, it is one of those few scenes that actually makes the threat of a zombie takeover palpable. I'd always wonder in older zombie films how the people are dumb enough to die at the hands of these slow, uncoordinated monsters. Showing the zombie take out basically the world's most feared and iconic predators, and underwater, no less, just serves to establish the zombie as the true topper of the food chain. When you see that you know the zombies are going to make it off the island and onto the mainland, and that whatever stands in their way will not be strong enough.
Simply conceiving of the idea is a thing of brilliance, but the execution definitely puts it in another league, too. It looks real and harrowing because it probably was. That guy is definitely hanging off a great white. You couldn't even do stunts like that now if you wanted to with all the regulations they now have in place. Like the effects work in THE THING and DAY OF THE DEAD, the trend of modern cinema has moved us to such a safe, fake or computer aided environment that it's those old, tangible legacies like the shark fight in ZOMBIE or the Rhodes evisceration in DOTD that truly do endure. They haven't been equaled for 30 years now, and given the way we make films today, I doubt they ever will.
Pretty sure we've had this EXACT discussion before, Rhett, but I think you are assigning way too much depth to the scene. I do think Jaws was the inspiration for the scene, but more of a way of jumping on the hot trends of the day. Fulci was always willing to do things like that (remember, he tacked on the zombies to the finale of The Beyond strictly at the request of the German distributor), he did not have a lot of integrity.
HellRazor
08-30-2009, 06:15 AM
It's like Fulci saying "Okay, so you guys think JAWS is scary? Well this zombie just fucking OWNED it."
And that's what makes it stupid. :p
Erick H.
08-30-2009, 07:35 AM
It's so jaw droppingly unexpected that when you first see it you question if this is REALLY happening,it's great.Also,it's really very well done and looks dangerous (it IS a real shark).In a day where anything can be done (for better or worse) with CGI, seeing a real hands on effects/stunt gag like this is a real charge.Cool !
Crystal Plumage
08-30-2009, 08:31 AM
Stupid or not, it's great!
Harry Warden
08-30-2009, 12:24 PM
Stupid...stupid...stupid!!!
Think I liked it when I first watched the Roan Group laser back in the day. Haven't seen the movie in a good ten years, however.
It is one aspect that I absolutely loved in World War Z. Underwater zombies - very unexplored by Hollywood.
rhett
08-30-2009, 04:38 PM
It is one aspect that I absolutely loved in World War Z. Underwater zombies - very unexplored by Hollywood.
Yeah, there really is an odd, surreal power to the image of a zombie moving underwater. I think underwater it stops them from seeming lumbering or Parkinsons-ish and gives them an unrelenting sort of grace. They just sort of flow like some unstoppable current. It's one of the reasons I love SHOCK WAVES so much.
X-human
08-30-2009, 05:20 PM
It is one aspect that I absolutely loved in World War Z. Underwater zombies - very unexplored by Hollywood.
There are a couple of extensive underwater scenes of zombies in Zombies of Mora Tau, where a hoard of 'em attack deep sea divers. It's all faked though on a somewhat elaborate set (considering the budget) where they shot the camera through a fish tank and gave the divers bubble blowers on their back.
The whole thing was great, like the underwater scene in an episode of the 60's Batman. But every review I read decried it. It's such a bizarre scene, from the late fifties no less, how can anyone not get some level of entertainment outta it?
satans-sadists
08-30-2009, 06:25 PM
This is my favorite scene in Zombie, of course due in part to the topless scuba diver. That said I really enjoy Shock Waves much more as a movie which further explores the underwater zombies.
allmessedup
08-30-2009, 07:44 PM
I never took this scene seriously, but have always enjoyed it. I guess it does sort of detract from the "seriousness" of the film, but along with the eyeball scene it is one of the things people always remember.
I can't remember all the details, but one of the interviews on one of the ZOMBI 2 discs had a really funny story about the shooting of the scene--I think the actress was crying for help and both of the male leads tried to jump in and get her, with both of them ending up needing to be rescued themselves. I think one of them hit his head on her scuba tank or something, and I can't remember what happened with the other.
Buddusky
08-30-2009, 08:13 PM
Definitely Cool :D
Hellbilly
08-30-2009, 08:56 PM
Silly but cool http://www.horrordvds.com/vb3forum/images/icons/icon14.gif
Undeadcow
08-31-2009, 01:05 AM
Cool...
Mr. Eddy
08-31-2009, 06:22 AM
After many years and numerous viewings I still think it's a little dumb. That's not to say I don't like it.
Angelman
08-31-2009, 06:34 AM
Very cool.
I love the music, the way it is "staged" and the pay-off.
There are a couple of extensive underwater scenes of zombies in Zombies of Mora Tau, where a hoard of 'em attack deep sea divers. It's all faked though on a somewhat elaborate set (considering the budget) where they shot the camera through a fish tank and gave the divers bubble blowers on their back.
The whole thing was great, like the underwater scene in an episode of the 60's Batman. But every review I read decried it. It's such a bizarre scene, from the late fifties no less, how can anyone not get some level of entertainment outta it?
Don't forget Zombie Lake!
'Course, it maybe should have been called Zombie Swimming Pool, cause the underwater shots were a little obviously not in a lake, but still, underwater is underwater (plus lots of topless chicks).
X-human
08-31-2009, 07:04 AM
Don't forget Zombie Lake!
Haven't gotten around to this one or Shock Waves yet. I know, disgraceful!!! I should turn in my Nazi/zombie/nudity/eurosleaze loving badge for that.
DVD-fanatic-9
08-31-2009, 11:08 AM
Stupid? No.
Cool? Not exactly.
j tea
08-31-2009, 03:52 PM
Everyone's forgetting the most important part of the whole damn scene; topless scuba diver!
I think this scene is the pinnacle of zombie movies. There is no scene in any film before or since that has out done it.
And god damn if this ain't the coolest shirt on the planet:
http://www.fright-rags.com/images/prod_vs-shark.jpg (http://www.fright-rags.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=215)
it was pointed out to me that the shark is ripping the zombie's left hand off of his right arm.
spawningblue
08-31-2009, 07:24 PM
One of the coolest scenes in any exploitation/horror films. Legendary.
Yep.
Darga
08-31-2009, 09:50 PM
Zombie vs. Shark may be ridiculous, but it also rules.
It wasn't a white shark by the way- it was a tiger or bull. I can't remember right now, it's been a while since I've seen it.
Criswell
09-02-2009, 10:55 PM
Actually, I love the film, but that scene is laughably bad.
Kyle Reese
09-02-2009, 11:02 PM
I'm divided between seeing this scene as hilarious or genuinely amazing. Either way, I can't imagine my life without the concept of "Zombie Vs. Shark" being a part of it.
CrazyFatEthel
09-03-2009, 03:58 AM
Very cool.
I love the music, the way it is "staged" and the pay-off.
My thoughts exactly!:banana:
Even though I still think the scene is really stupid, this thread has put me in the mood to watch the movie again.
x666x
09-04-2009, 08:48 AM
The whole scene was brilliantly executed.
Lately, Ive been thinking about this scene a lot, and I cant figure out how they did it. They must have thrown a guy in full zombie makeup in with a shark. Who the fuck would volunteer for that role?!?! I think the question here should be about the actor, was he stupid or cool?
Crystal Plumage
12-20-2010, 09:52 PM
Lately, Ive been thinking about this scene a lot, and I cant figure out how they did it. They must have thrown a guy in full zombie makeup in with a shark. Who the fuck would volunteer for that role?!?! I think the question here should be about the actor, was he stupid or cool?
Well, you seem to have missed the fact that it was the fish' trainer (or what you call it) who did the scene. Might have been mentioned in the commentary? I thought it was common knowledge among Fulci fans. I thought wrong :)
Well, you seem to have missed the fact that it was the fish' trainer (or what you call it) who did the scene. Might have been mentioned in the commentary? I thought it was common knowledge among Fulci fans. I thought wrong :)
Crazy, thanks for the info. I dont think Ive ever watched this with the comentary on. I didn't know there was such a thing as a fish trainer. In the Jaws commentary there was some discussion about how 'you cant train sharks'. Interesting that Fulci could find someone to do it, but Spielberg couldn't.
russweiss
12-21-2010, 12:31 AM
Lately, Ive been thinking about this scene a lot, and I cant figure out how they did it. They must have thrown a guy in full zombie makeup in with a shark. Who the fuck would volunteer for that role?!?! I think the question here should be about the actor, was he stupid or cool?
I read a review in Fangoria stating that they had to drug the shark to make it docile enough to use for the scene. It's been a few years since I've seen the film but I still remember how well done I thought this particular scene was filmed. The movie itself isn't very well paced and really is mostly known because of the over the top gore effects. That hasn't stopped me from owning the laserdisc as well as two DVD versions. No doubt I'll pick up the blu-ray when it becomes available too. Here are a couple of shots of the topless scuba diver that several people said was the highlight for them.
Damage
12-21-2010, 01:00 AM
The only thing weirder than watching an underwater Zombie vs Shark battle is the audacity of Microsoft to work a little Fulci into one of their commercials. This totally blew my mind when I first saw it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZylICfc4uI&feature=related
X-human
12-21-2010, 05:32 AM
Lately, Ive been thinking about this scene a lot, and I cant figure out how they did it. They must have thrown a guy in full zombie makeup in with a shark. Who the fuck would volunteer for that role?!?! I think the question here should be about the actor, was he stupid or cool?
I had assumed he was a shark trainer of some kind, but I see others have confirmed that.
The scene has so many difficult elements that it really is a great achievement in cinema. You have excellent underwater photography, a guy in a full body zombie suit (which looks damn good, holds up underwater, and there's no completely obvious oxygen) and an uncommon yet dangerous animal like a shark. The logistics of shooting such a scene are mind bending. Plus they had to tell a girl to take off her top and go swim with shark.
Shot today that would be a CGI shitfest which probably wouldn't impress anyone. To hell with 1979's Superman "You'll believe a man can fly," Zombie's was "You'll believe a zombie can wrestle a shark."
I read a review in Fangoria stating that they had to drug the shark to make it docile enough to use for the scene.
Lmao, that must have been a fun day on set. What do you think they used to drug a shark in 70s? A 5th of vodka and a bottle of Quaaludes? :glasses:
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