Post by Todd Tjersland on Jun 16, 2006 23:00:07 GMT -8
BACK FROM HELL (1993)
aka DEMON APOCALYPSE
Starring Larry Dubois, Shaw Scarbrough, Don Ruem, Andy Jentzen
Music by Matt Jaissle
Executive Producers Todd Tjersland (uncredited), Norma Goodrich
Written, Produced & Directed by Matt Jaissle
Uncut Run Time: Approx. 85 minutes
Quote: "Tell Satan I said, 'Kiss my black ass!'"
Summary: Jack (Larry Dubois), a struggling Hollywood actor, meets a satanic cult leader named Azzagras who helps him sell his soul to Satan. In exchange, Jack receives fame and fortune. But when he learns that Satan is planning to come "back from hell" to take over the earth by killing priests and an important religious figure who has just attained political office, Jack breaks his pact and tries to warn humanity. Satan in turn curses Jack so that whoever looks into his eyes is instantly possessed into wanting to kill him!
Leaving a trail of dead bodies in his wake, Jack makes his way back to his Michigan hometown to confess to his childhood friend, Aaron (Shawn Scarbrough), who is now a Catholic priest. Jack explains that "as a man of God" Father Aaron is immune to the Forces of Evil; he's the only one Jack can talk to.
However, Aaron is unconvinced and thinks his friend is a serial killer who may be responsible for the recent murders of his fellow priests. The cops show up and try to arrest Jack but are possessed by the Devil and attempt to murder him instead! With two dead cops on their hands, Jack attempts to convince Aaron of his sincerity by performing a satanic ritual; he hopes to invoke the spirit of Satan into the body of one of the cops (Don Ruem, LEGION OF THE NIGHT).
The ritual succeeds too well, and Satan not only confesses his evil plan to return the Kingdom of Hell to earth, but he turns all the dead bodies into zombies! Aaron and Jack barely escape, then realize that the outside world has descended into chaos! Armies of zombies, maniacs, criminals and devil worshippers roam the streets, paving the way for Satan's return.
Jack and Aaron race to confront Azzagras and his cult of "Satanic Ninjas" to reclaim Jack's lost soul and stop the supernatural conspiracy at its source. What happens next leads to a violent climax of chainsawed-off severed limbs, spilled intestines, gouged-out eyes and more!
AN INTERVIEW WITH TODD TJERSLAND
Q: What was your involvement, Todd?
Todd Tjersland: The director, Matt Jaissle, came to me in need of finishing funds. I saw the rough cut and thought it was surprisingly good for a $30,000 16mm first movie. In exchange for distribution rights in perpetuity, I agreed, and the rest is history. ;D
Q: This is widely considered one of the funniest bad horror movies ever made.
Todd: I won't argue with that.
But it had a unique premise and got my filmmaking career started--plus, it made a profit!Q: What is your favorite scene in Back From Hell?
Todd: That's easy: When the demon hand rips out of the bible and grabs the priest's crotch!
