Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez adapted his 1996 south-of-the-border vampire feature (scripted by Quentin Tarantino) as the keynote production of his cable TV channel, El Rey, a network geared toward Latino American audiences. The first season essentially expands the film, adding new characters and an elaborate backstory. D.J. Cotrona and Zane Holtz star as the notorious Gecko brothers, Seth and Richie (played by George Clooney and Tarantino in the big-screen original), and the narrative opens with their blood-soaked criminal rampage through Texas on their way to Mexico, as the younger, more violent Richie is assaulted by visions of vampires and demons. Robert Patrick fills the Harvey Keitel role as Jacob Fuller, a widowed preacher taken captive—along with his two teenage children—by the Geckos, and eventually they all cross the border and reach a Mexican strip club, where a nest of Aztec vampires awaits. From Dusk Till Dawn revels in the dusty desert setting, outlaw culture, and gory spectacle of gunfights and blood-sucker attacks, but the story takes a long time to get anywhere. Fans of Rodriguez movies such as El Mariachi and Sin City may approve, but this will likely be too raunchy and gratuitous for discerning horror fans. Still, since El Rey is not carried on all cable and satellite systems, this set may be the only opportunity for many to see the show. Compiling all 10 episodes from the 2014 debut season, extras include audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, faux commercials, and a Q&A with Rodriguez and cast members. Optional. (S. Axmaker)
From Dusk Till Dawn: Season One
Entertainment One, 3 discs, 452 min., not rated, DVD: $39.98, Blu-ray: $49.98 Volume 30, Issue 1
From Dusk Till Dawn: Season One
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: