Producer Jerry (I spit on your Grave) Gross gave Writer/Director David Durston a simple, yet difficult challenge... to come up with a hardcore horror movie that would give 'Night of the Living Dead' a run for its money, without relying on any of the old monster cliches'. David Durston followed through and came up with 'I drink your Blood'.

Originally double-billed with 'I Eat your Skin', another Gross-Produced flick, 'I Drink your Blood outshined its partner (Which was nothing more than a 'Night of the Living Dead' ripoff). Too bad not many folks would see this way back in 1971 when the film was released, all thanks to the wonderful folks at the MPAA. IDYB was slapped with an 'X' rating, the first ever film to receive the rating for violence alone. Left to the "trusty" hands of the individual projectionist at each movie theatre to cut the film down from its 'X' rating, there wasn't a single copy of IDYB that was the same (Except for in NY and LA where Durston himself oversaw the cuts). Most of the cuts were hack-jobs and the movie made little sense. Now thanks to the gore-hounds at Box Office Spectacular and Fangoria, we have a complete version of the film.

The plot is basic and far-fetched, and therein lies the magic. Much like many other films to come out of the Drive-In era of horror, IDYB is one of those guilty pleasures. Far from a masterpiece but one hell of a fun ride. The story revolves around a hippie satanic cult (Who happen to be druggies also), that take refuge in a small town after their car takes a dump. They don't exactly get along well with the locals, causing a small boy from the town to use blood from a rabid dog to infect the group. With townsfolk dropping like flies and more infected after an orgy session with one of the group (Yes, I said orgy), the few non-infected towns people must fight off dozens of rabid psychos, all the while trying not to get infected themselves.

Made up mostly of theatre actors, the cast works perfectly for the film. Lynn Lowry the mute of the hippy group doesn't have a single line, yet says everything with her eyes. Bhaskar, the leader of the hippy group also does a wonderful job. He plays up the paranoid leader role to perfection and actually tends to seem more 'normal' after he's infected than before. Despite being released way-back when in 1971, the gore is surprisingly good. We get multiple knife cuts/stabbings, a pretty gnarly gun shot, a hand sawed off, and more.

'I Drink your Blood' really was before its time, in this day and age of international terrorism and wars being launched as pre-emptive strikes against countries believed to have biological weapons, its plot revolving around an infection can hit close to home for anybody. The rabid people in the movie are also amazingly similar to the "Raged-Filled" zombies of '28 Days Later'.

The Movie: 3/5 Stars

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The DVD:

Packaging: It's a single disc, although it does come with a double-sided sleeve and a fold out book. The book details in brief the history of the film and it's battles with the MPAA/Cutting Room Floor. On the opposite side of the fold out is a mini-poster for the film.

Video: Fullscreen, there are some grainy shots throughout, but since the film did come out in 1971 and the horrible editing done to it since, it's far from unbearable. All of the menus on the DVD are fully animated.

Audio: 2.0 Mono

Commentary from Writer/Director David Durston and star Bhaskar: Durston is the best part here, you can tell he's thrilled with the attention the movie is now getting with the re-release. Bhaskar mainly sits back and follows up Durston's comments or waits for Durston to directly ask him a question. Durston gives a great lesson in guerrilla film-making by explaining the various ways he worked around budget-restraints throughout the movie.

The I Drink Your Blood Show (Cast Interviewed by Durston): Not a whole lot of new info here, most of everything said can be learned on the commentary track. Each guest describes some of their favorite (And not-so favorite) memories from the film. The best part of the feature comes when Durston is reminded of something that happened between himself and Tyde Kierney who played Andy in the movie off-set, it seemed some serious tension grew and the interview was immediately halted by Durston.

Deleted Scenes: Nothing spectacular here except the "original blood-drenched ending deemed too disturbing for 70's audiences". Personally I enjoyed the scene, it would've also set up a sequel if IDYB went on to B.O. success.

Other Extras: Outtakes, Still Gallery, The Original Theatrical Trailer, a Radio Spot, Cast/Crew Filmographies, 'Coming Attractions' Trailers, and two pretty easy to find easter egg (Just footage from Durston/Bhaskar doing their commentary track, and some weirdo footage of Bhaskar).

The Disc: 4/5 Stars