“Bad Taste Peter Jackson” is more than just a film; it’s a testament to creative filmmaking, showcasing resourcefulness and over-the-top splatter that sets it apart. At PETS.EDU.VN, we explore the bizarre charm of Jackson’s early work, revealing how his audacity and ingenuity birthed a cult classic. Join us as we dissect this comedic horror, offering solutions and insights into the mind of a director who turned “bad taste” into an art form, a must-see for gorehounds.
1. From Humble Beginnings to Horror Icon: The Genesis of “Bad Taste”
Peter Jackson’s journey to becoming a cinematic icon began with “Bad Taste,” a low-budget splatter-fest that defied expectations. Born in New Zealand, Jackson’s early fascination with film led him to create amateur movies with a Super 8 camera, starting from a young age. Dissatisfied with the limitations of New Zealand’s nonexistent film industry, he decided to forge his path, teaching himself editing and special effects through hands-on experimentation.
After saving enough money to purchase a used Bolex 16mm camera, Jackson and his friends embarked on a project that evolved from a short film to a full-fledged feature. Shooting took four years, primarily on weekends due to their full-time jobs. Jim Booth of the New Zealand Film Commission recognized Jackson’s raw talent and provided grants to ensure the film’s completion. This support allowed Jackson to quit his job, finish “Bad Taste,” and debut it at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. The film’s distribution across numerous countries and positive reviews marked the beginning of Jackson’s ascent in the film industry. His dedication to filmmaking shines through every frame.
2. Meet “The Boys”: A Hilariously Unlikely Task Force
While not deeply developed, “The Boys” each possess distinct personalities and moments to shine. Barry (Pete O’Herne), the first on the scene, maintains composure when confronted by an axe-wielding maniac, dispatching him with a .357 Magnum. During his investigation of the deserted town, he narrowly escapes the aliens and discovers their base.
Frank (Mike Minett), acts as the group’s leader, emphasizing adherence to regulations and advocating for minimal violence during Giles’ rescue. Ozzy (Terry Potter), a heavy metal enthusiast and wild card, eagerly seeks action and the use of maximum force. Despite being dissuaded from using a rocket launcher initially, his enthusiasm for mayhem is relentless.
Derek, played by Peter Jackson, is the group’s most memorable member. Derek is a scientist who firmly believes in aliens, and convinced the minister that something strange is going on here. Nerdy but not cowardly, he defends himself when the captured alien screams for help. Derek’s sadistic interrogation methods and his memorable line, “I’m a Derek, and Dereks don’t run!” contribute to his iconic status. His transformation after falling off a cliff, replacing lost brain matter with alien brains, and his chainsaw-wielding rampage solidifies his unforgettable presence. These distinct characters help elevate the film’s comedic charm.
3. Lord Crumb and His Cronies: An Alien Fast-Food Conspiracy
Among the aliens, Robert and Lord Crumb stand out. Robert, played by Peter Jackson, is captured but escapes to wreak havoc. His awkward gait and machete are memorable, as is his vomiting of green slime for the other aliens. Lord Crumb (Doug Wren) is the over-the-top leader, planning to eat Giles and spread human flesh across the galaxy. Wren’s death during post-production led to Peter Vere-Jones dubbing his voice.
The aliens are simple yet memorable monsters. Except for Lord Crumb, who speaks perfectly and disguises himself as a businessman, the others only moan and wear blue shirts and jeans. They act like zombies but can move fast and wield weapons. They can also contort into human form, a process they find uncomfortable. Their true forms are large and bloated, with skull-like heads and nasty teeth. The concept of aliens from a fast-food corporation harvesting human flesh is original, humorously commenting on real fast-food companies. The aliens’ revolting nature and darkly funny motives contribute to the film’s cult appeal.
4. Technical Faux Pas and Resourceful Ingenuity: The Making Of
“Bad Taste” is far from technically sophisticated, reflecting its origins as a low-budget project by an inexperienced filmmaker. Shot on a 25-year-old 16mm camera, the film has a grainy, scratchy appearance. Amateurish camerawork includes tight close-ups and shaky movements. The entire soundtrack was dubbed in post-production due to the camera’s lack of sound recording capabilities, resulting in overdone sound effects and surreal voices. Despite these technical shortcomings, they add to the film’s surreal charm, showing a group of friends having fun and doing their best to make a watchable movie. This crudeness lends the movie charm.
5. Gore, Guts, and Splatstick Comedy: The Art of Excess
Peter Jackson’s early work, is known for using gore as part of the comedy, termed “splatstick.” While not as gory as “Dead Alive,” “Bad Taste” has lots of over-the-top blood and disgusting images. Memorable sights include aliens getting their heads shot off, metal spikes through feet, and Derek replacing his brain with alien brains.
Robert eats brains from a shattered cranium, aliens get machetes to the face, and Derek chainsaws aliens to bits. The most extreme scene is Derek killing Lord Crumb by sawing through his head and body, then wearing his skin. These gory scenes are intended to be funny and outrageous. Jackson created the effects himself, using latex masks, casts for vomiting scenes, syrup for blood, meat for brains, and yogurt, muesli, and green dye for vomit.
This combination of gore and comedy is a hallmark of Jackson’s early style, contributing to the film’s cult classic status.
6. Censorship and Controversy: The Price of “Bad Taste”
The film’s gore and violence led to censorship problems, notably in Queensland, Australia, where it was banned three weeks into its run. The Australian Classification Board (ACB) had already approved it with cuts. This ban led to the dissolution of the Queensland Film Board of Review, due to being unprofessional and biased. Distributors used the ban to promote the movie on video covers.
Beyond the gore, Jackson innovated special effects. For the rocket launcher scene, they built a 25-foot replica of the Gear Homestead and blew it up with a rocket on a wire. The house turning into a spaceship was achieved by lifting a smaller replica on a camera crane. For space shots, a cardboard model was spun on a gramophone. Jackson’s dedication and innovative approach are impressive.
7. From Gross-Out to Cynical: The Film’s Unique Humor
“Bad Taste,” is equal parts gore-laden slapstick and nasty gross-out comedy, mixed with cynicism and subtle references. The opening scene introduces a shadowy figure with an artificial arm and a dismembered hand lighter. The film features oddities like Derek, first seen with spittle running down his mouth, and his quirky lines.
Derek’s memorable line is, “I’m a Derek, and Dereks don’t run!” Later, he is seen trying to keep his brains from leaking out of his head. The film includes instances of cynical humor, jabs at government ministries, and the acronym AIDS for the Astro Investigation and Defense Service. References to other movies and media are present. The gore and violence play into the comedy, with people getting squirted in the face with blood and absurd scenarios. There’s also traditional slapstick, like Derek nearly slipping on manure and the aliens clumsily whacking each other.
8. Nonstop Action (Almost): The Film’s Relentless Pace
“Bad Taste” wastes no time, opening with the Boys being summoned and Barry encountering the axe-wielding alien. While there are slower moments, it quickly returns to action and maintains this pace throughout. Notable scenes include Barry getting trapped in a shed, Derek falling off a cliff, and the Boys infiltrating the aliens’ hideout.
The final act features a shootout, a chase, Derek chainsawing aliens, and the house turning into a spaceship. The film keeps getting more insane until it becomes overwhelming. This relentless pace is a trademark of Jackson’s style.
9. A Score That Amplifies the Absurdity: The Film’s Music
The music, by Michelle Scullion, is perfect for the film’s crazy tone, with an off-kilter main theme and a marching drum. Assisted by Jay Snowfield, the score includes kiddy carnival music, heroic themes, and urgent TV movie-esque bits. Some scenes, like Derek’s attack on the cliff, are scored in a disturbing manner. Memorable pieces include a cheery sitcom theme for Giles and an atonal horn bit for Derek driving off in his van.
The film features two songs: the hard rock “Rock Lies” by Madlight and the title song by Mike Minett and Dave Hamilton, performed by The Remnants. “Rock Lies” plays during action scenes, while the title song is smoother and plays over the ending credits. The music amplifies the film’s absurdity.
10. Why “Bad Taste” Still Matters: A Cult Classic Legacy
“Bad Taste” is a wild film, showing how passion and know-how can create an impressive movie without much money or studio backing. While not sophisticated, it has memorable characters, a nice setting in Wellington, lots of crazy gore and makeup effects, impressive special effects, humor that ranges from slapstick to strange, and a quirky score. It’s ambitious for a group of young guys doing it on their own, which is what makes it remarkable.
Other than crudeness causing issues, the only real gripe is that it overstays its welcome. Still, it is entertaining, and a must-see for fans of gory horror-comedies, and for those curious about where Peter Jackson started. In essence, “Bad Taste” is a benchmark in low-budget filmmaking, showcasing the boundless creativity that can thrive when passion meets limited resources.
FAQs About “Bad Taste”
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What is “Bad Taste” about?
- “Bad Taste” is a horror-comedy film about a squad of paranormal investigators who discover aliens have invaded a small town in New Zealand to harvest humans for their intergalactic fast-food chain.
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Who directed “Bad Taste”?
- “Bad Taste” was directed by Peter Jackson, who also played multiple roles and handled many aspects of the production.
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When was “Bad Taste” released?
- “Bad Taste” was released in 1987 after several years of production.
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Where was “Bad Taste” filmed?
- “Bad Taste” was filmed in and around Pukerua Bay, near Wellington, New Zealand.
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What is “splatstick” comedy?
- “Splatstick” is a subgenre of comedy that combines slapstick with extreme gore and violence for comedic effect.
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What challenges did Peter Jackson face while making “Bad Taste”?
- Jackson faced numerous challenges, including a limited budget, old equipment, and having to film on weekends over several years.
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How did Peter Jackson create the special effects for “Bad Taste”?
- Jackson created the special effects himself using a combination of homemade props, latex masks, and creative use of materials like syrup for blood and meat for brains.
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Was “Bad Taste” controversial upon release?
- Yes, “Bad Taste” was controversial due to its extreme gore and violence, leading to censorship issues in some countries.
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What is the significance of “Bad Taste” in Peter Jackson’s career?
- “Bad Taste” was Peter Jackson’s first feature film and helped launch his career, showcasing his talent and creativity despite the limitations.
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Where can I watch “Bad Taste”?
- “Bad Taste” is available on various streaming platforms and on DVD/Blu-ray. Check your local listings or online retailers for availability.
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