Product Details

• Directors: Kevin VanHook
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• DVD Release Date: January 27, 2009
• Run Time: 58 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001HVZO7U
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,389 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From classic creatures to modern gore, special effects make-up has always been the dark heart of movie magic. In this Starz Inside documentary, meet the masters of the craft and discover its incredible history, complete with rare behind-the-scenes photos and footage, revealing interviews with Quentin Tarantino, George Romero, Josh Brolin, Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, John Carpenter, Simon Pegg, Eli Roth, Rob Bottin, Robert Rodriguez, Tom Savini, Wes Craven, John Landis, Mick Garris and Dick Smith, plus classic clips from FRANKENSTEIN, THE EXORCIST, PLANET OF THE APES, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, AN AMERICAN WEREWORLF IN LONDON, THE THING, GRINDHOUSE, SIN CITY, TRANSFORMERS, DAY OF THE DEAD, KILL BILL, TOTAL RECALL, CABIN FEVER, THE HOWLING and much more.  

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Documentary on Special Effects Make-Up, February 1, 2009

By 

The Movie Man "tenebre89" (Maywood, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Fantastic Flesh (DVD)

"Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Makeup EFX" is a terrific documentary combining technique with film history. Featured are scenes from such horror classics as "Frankenstein," "The Exorcist," "Planet of the Apes," "An American Werewolf in London," "The Chronicles of Narnia," and more. Since the advent of CGI filmmaking, audiences have become jaded by cinema monsters, but this film focuses on the pre-CGI era, when assorted techniques and long hours were required to transform actors into abominably awful-looking creatures or victims of horrible violence. This is a must-see for aficionados of the horror genre.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for those pursuing special effects, April 21, 2009

By 

JT "I wear my pants backwards and on fire, ju... (Odessa) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fantastic Flesh (DVD)

Granted that it is a documentary, I found it informative as far as the history of make-up effects up until present day. Little did I realize that there were other great artists aside from Lon Chaney, such as Jack Pierce, the creator of the iconic Universal Frankenstein Monster who created the pieces from mere cotton! It also has unique behind the scenes footage from movies old and new, showcasing how these incredible minds set forth their craft even before the advent of show-stopping CGI. Even better, it shows the latest direction in which CGI and Practical effects have become intermeshed and how they will affect future movies. While the title sounds like a how-to video, it's more of an appreciation for the people who started it all. There is even a tribute to Stan Winston who had passed away suddenly from a rare blood cancer (see Fangoria magazine in 2008, october issue I think) which I think was quite touching.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Flesh Is Informative, October 3, 2010

By 

Brian Harris "WildsideCinema" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantastic Flesh (DVD)

Fantastic Flesh is a cool documentary made by the Starz team, helmed by comic book legend & B-movie director Kevin VanHook, which delves into the field of special effects and the men who've shaped the art form as well as the course of cinematic history. The film includes in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names in genre filmmaking and FX work including the late Dick Smith. We're given some amazing insights into the FX process behind many films and we hear, from the directors themselves, how important the FX industry has been to film.

If I could say anything at all negative about the documentary it would be that I didn't feel it touched on enough of the history of special effects makeup for cinema. It would have been interesting to hear a bit more about the history of FX makeup, reaching back further than Chaney's work or the groundbreaking FX used in Frankenstein. I'd say an additional 20 minutes of information could have easily been added to this and it still would have been too short for me, it's that good! Outside of my petty gripe, this is a fantastic documentary, one that no horror enthusiast should miss. Fantastic Flesh is a must-see, and if you're a documentary junky like me, a must-have release.