Watch Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson

The 2019 documentary film Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson is a captivating and insightful look into the life, career, and tragic death of cult filmmaker Al Adamson. The film begins with a brief overview of Adamson's childhood and early career before diving into his prolific output of B-movies throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

Through a mix of interviews with collaborators, friends, and family members, as well as extensive archival footage, Blood & Flesh examines the unique blend of creativity, resourcefulness, and sheer determination that fueled Adamson's filmmaking. Despite working with low budgets and often dubious equipment, Adamson was able to create a wide variety of films across genres, from horror and sci-fi to westerns and blaxploitation.

The documentary also delves into the personal and professional relationships that fueled Adamson's work, particularly his close partnership with producer Samuel M. Sherman. Together, the two men created a number of memorable films, including the blaxploitation classic Black Samurai and the comically gory horror film Dracula vs. Frankenstein.

While Adamson's work was beloved by a dedicated cult following, it never achieved mainstream success. This led to financial struggles and a feeling of disillusionment for Adamson in his later years. The documentary explores these difficult times, as well as the tragic circumstances of Adamson's death in 1995, when he was murdered by a handyman he had hired.

Throughout Blood & Flesh, the filmmakers strike a balance between celebrating Adamson's creativity and ambition while also acknowledging the limitations of his work. While Adamson's films were frequently campy and lowbrow, they were also imbued with a fierce independence and a distinctly do-it-yourself ethos that continues to inspire filmmakers today.

The documentary also explores the legacy of Adamson's work, which has continued to find new audiences through re-releases on home video and in theaters. In recent years, the renewed interest in Adamson has led to a number of retrospectives and tribute screenings, cementing his place in pop culture history.

Overall, Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson is a fascinating look into the life and work of a true outsider artist. Through its mix of interviews, archival footage, and insightful commentary, it paints a complex and nuanced picture of a man whose passion for filmmaking never wavered despite countless setbacks and obstacles. Whether you're a fan of Adamson's work or simply interested in the behind-the-scenes world of low-budget cinema, this documentary is a must-see.

Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.