Bad Taste (1987)

Country of Origin: New Zealand
Year of Production: 1983 - 1987
Running Times: 86 mins     91 mins
Format: colour     Super 16mm     (35mm blow-up)
Ratio: 1.66:1
Sound: mono

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: New Zealand Film Commission / WingNut Films
Producer: Peter Jackson
Consultant Producer: Tony Hiles

SCRIPT
Script: Peter Jackson
Additional Material: Ken Hammon, Tony Hiles

DIRECTION
Director: Peter Jackson

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Peter Jackson
Film Crew: Dean Lawrie, Ken Hammon, Mike Minett, Pete O'Herne, Philip Lamey, Terry Potter

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editors: Peter Jackson, Jamie Selkirk
Assistant Editor: Matt Noonan
Assistant Post-Production Supervisor: Matt Noonan

MUSIC
Music: Michelle Scullion
Songs: Madlight (Rock Lies); Mike Minett, Dave Hamilton (Bad Taste)
Songs Performed By: Madlight (Rock Lies); The Remnants (Bad Taste)

SOUND
Location Sound Recordist: Ken Saville
Post-Production Sound Recordist: Brent Burge
Sound Mixer: Brent Burge
Sound Editors: Jamie Selkirk, Kit Rollings

SPECIAL MAKE UP EFFECTS
Make Up Effects: Peter Jackson
Make Up Effects Assistant: Cameron Chittock

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects: Peter Jackson
Car Explosion: Grant Campbell

VISUAL EFFECTS
Titles Graphic Artist: Arie Ketel

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Art Department: Caroline Girdlestone

LOCATIONS
Locations: Gear Homestead, Porirua, New Zealand; Makara Beach, Wellington, North Island, New Zealand; Pukerua Bay, Wellington, North Island, New Zealand; Titahi Bay, Wellington, North Island, New Zealand

CAST
Terry Potter (Ozzy)
Pete O'Herne (Barry)
Craig Smith (Giles)
Mike Minett (Frank)
Peter Jackson (Derek / Robert)
Doug Wren (alien leader)
Dean Lawrie (alien leader effects double)
Peter Vere-Jones (alien leader's voice)
Tony Hiles (Coldfinger)
Dean Lawrie, Terry Potter, Pete O'Herne, Craig Smith, Mike Minett, Ken Hammon, Robin Griggs, Michael Gooch, Peter Gooch, Laurie Yarrall, Shane Yarrall, Philip Lamey, Costa Botes, Graham Butcher, Bob Haliburton, Andrew McKay, Clive Haywood, John McTavish, Graham Nesbitt, Steven Smith, John Logan Jr, Matt Noonan, Cameron Chittock, Ray Battersby, Mike Appleby, Peter Appleby, Mike Kane, Robert Johnston, Scott Bradshaw, Mark Lamey, Giles Forrest, Carol Taylor, Dean Taylor, Kim Taylor, Dave Hamilton, Jock Fyfe, John Ruby, Kerry Underhill, Robin Watene, Garry A. Brown, Mark Jackson, Peter Henderson, Janine Riely, Margaret Byford (3rd class aliens)

PLOT SUMMARY

Aliens are on the loose in New Zealand, planning a full scale invasion of the Earth. All that stands is their way is Derek and his gang of not-too-bright commandos who have to stop the human eating aliens before they can but their terrible plan into effect.

CAPSULE REVIEW

Insanity abounds in Jackson's determinedly low-brow debut, crammed full of ridiculous gags, corny dialogue and splattery gore effects. And great fun it all is too. Yes it's childish, crude and obvious, but that just adds to the fun. Jackson's impish sense of humour and sheer energy shine through in every frame.

Australia
Video Distributors: CBS / Fox Home Video (1989)

Germany
Video Distributors: Astro Records & Filmworks

Japan
DVD Distributors: Beam Entertainment Inc / Creative Axa Co Ltd

UK
Theatrical Distributors: Blue Dolphin Film Distribution Ltd
Video Distributors: PolyGram Video; Colourbox

USA
Video Distributors: Substance Video; Anchor Bay Entertainment
Laserdisc Distributor: Image (ID 7720 MN)
DVD Distributors: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Argentina
Rating: 18

Australia
Rating: R; banned in Queensland

Finland
Rating: K-16

France
Rating: -12

Norway
Rating: 15

South Korea
Rating: 18 (with heavy cuts)

Sweden
Rating: 15

UK
Rating: 18

USA
Rating: unrated

West Germany
Rating: 18

1989
Fantafestival
Audience Award (Peter Jackson) - winner

1990
Fantasporto, Portugal
International Fantasy Film Award Best Film (Peter Jackson) - nominated

1988
August
24: France – theatrical release

1989
October
26: Italy – theatrical release

1990
February
Day Unknown: Portugal – shown at the Fantasporto Film Festival

1991
November
29: Finland – theatrical release

1993
November
19: Sweden – theatrical release

2000
September
21: Germany – theatrical release

Watch out Aliens... ... here comes Derek!

The Bastards Have Landed!

Crumb's Crunchy Delights.

Carne Humana Precisa-se - Portugese title
Dans l'cul – French Canadian title
Fuori di testa - Italian title
Mal gusto – Argentinian / Spanish title

FOOTAGE INCLUDED IN
Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill (1995)
Good Taste Made Bad Taste (1988)

SEE ALSO
Alien Beasts (1991)
Batman Returns (1992)
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Doctor Who (1963 - 1989)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
The Evil Dead (1981)
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
The Shining (1980)
Star Trek (1966 - 1969)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

MAGAZINES

film-dienst vol.53 no.19 (12 September 2000) p.25 (Germany)
review (by Stefanie Jaspers)

Première August 1988 p.17 (France)
review (by Stella Molitor)

aliens, axe murders, chainsaws, disembowelment, gore, sheep, splatter, vomit

Last Updated: 15 October, 2008