From Dusk Till Dawn - Season 1 - DVD

Movie: After a brutal bank robbery, brothers Seth (D.J. Cotrona) and Richie Gecko (Zane Holtz) have become the most wanted criminals in Texas. After they shoot and kill Sheriff Earl McGraw (Don Johnson) as they flee toward the Mexican border, young Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzales (Jesse Garcia) takes up their cause. Because Gonzales isn't just out to avenge his mentor's death. He's also convinced that the Gecko brothers are working for a powerful cartel that he could smash with their arrest. But, of course, the stone-cold killers won't be caught that easily. They take clergyman Jacob Fuller (Robert Patrick) and his children Kate (Madison Davenport) and Scott (Brandon Soo Hoo) hostage and make it across the Mexican border with them, where they plan to meet up with their boss Carlos (Wilmer Valderrama) in the seedy shack Titty Twister. But here a bloody, deadly surprise awaits them that even the Gecko brothers can't seem to escape...

For the launch of his own TV network, the El Ray Network, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez has ventured into a TV adaptation of his cult film From Dusk Till Dawn. The first season, which consists of ten episodes, tells much of the same story as the movie. However, this was extended by some elements or slightly modified, so that it works very well even in this extended form. For example, the bank robbery, which is only mentioned in the movie, is shown in flashbacks or the relationship between Sheriff Earl and his protégé Freddie is elaborated. This gives Freddie's fight against the Gecko brothers, in which he also has to disobey his superior's orders again and again, a very personal touch, which makes the whole thing much more intense from a dramaturgical point of view.

Another change compared to the movie is the character of Carlos, who was only ever mentioned there but never shown. In the series, he takes a very central role and sort of acts as a link between the normal world and the world of the vampires in Titty Twister. Since the geckos and their hostages don't show up there until the end of the fifth episode, Carlos is the perfect way to get some bloody vampire action into the series earlier as well. Anyway, it also expands on the whole vampire mythos, which manifests itself in the visions that drive Richie to the brink of insanity (and beyond).

The cast is pretty well chosen overall. Even if D.J. Cotrona doesn't quite have the charisma of George Clooney and The Wild Seventies star Wilmer Valderrama as the vampire gangster takes some getting used to at first, Robert Rodriguez and his team have done a very good job with the casting overall. Zane Holtz as the psychopathic killer and Don Johnson in his small role as the fatherly sheriff are especially perfectly cast. And Robert Patrick, as a clergyman consumed by his doubts, also delivers a performance quite on par with his screen counterpart Harvey Keitel. Eiza González, as a snake-dancing vampire lady, isn't quite as sensual as Selma Hayek, who caused many male viewers to gasp in that role in 1996 and made her Hollywood breakthrough. But nevertheless, her performance also supports the overall very positive impression left by the choice of actors.

No question, even the TV version of From Dusk Till Dawn is not deep entertainment, but first-class genre trash. Time and time again, it's clear how much Robert Rodriguez loves the grindhouse genre. But even though the whole thing may be low on substance, it's also extremely entertaining. The characters, who are able to develop better in the series than in the feature film, are drawn quite interestingly and the effects can absolutely be seen for a fairly low budget production like this. Especially when things really get going in Titty Twister, the fun gore quotient also rises significantly.

It will be interesting to see what direction the series takes in the second season when it has to break away from the film's plot framework. But a good foundation has certainly been laid with this stylish mix of thriller, horror and grindhouse! If you liked the movie and generally like it a bit more solid, you should definitely not miss this successful first season. Worth seeing!

Picture + Sound: The image of the DVD pleases with its very atmospheric, dirty look, which is supported by the rather earthy color scheme and the slightly overdrawn contrasts. The image sharpness is decent, with only slight blurs to be discerned here and there. However, these could also be a deliberately used stylistic device, adheres to the film overall, Robert Rodriguez so appreciated trashy grindhouse look. The audio is in a decent Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, revealing a pleasant dynamic range during gunfights, vampire attacks, or speedier car rides. Good!

Extras: On the first two DVDs are a total of five audio commentaries worth listening to, though they are offered without subtitle options. The rest of the bonus material can be found on the third disc. In addition to another audio commentary on the final episode of the season, there's a Best Kills montage (approx. 1:02 min.), a visit to the set on the first day of shooting (approx. 2:02 min.), and a decent Making of (approx. 22:12 min.). In addition to two more Behind the Scenes clips (approx. 2:40 min.) and promo clips for each character (approx. 5:04 min.), the disc has a few more commercials, trailers, and a very watchable Q&A with Robert Rodriguez and the cast (approx. 33:59 min.), which was recorded after the first episode. Good.

Conclusion: From Dusk Till Dawn is a successful TV adaptation of Robert Rodriguez's cult film of the same name. The familiar story is only slightly varied and expanded here, but can entertain even in this extended version. Who liked the film and for whom it may go to something more solid, which should not miss this entertaining mixture of black-humored thriller, bloody horror and trashy Grindhouse. The DVD presents the series in atmospheric picture and sound quality. In terms of bonus material, the unfortunately not subtitled audio commentaries, the making of, as well as the entertaining question and answer session with Rodriguez and the actors are particularly pleasing. Absolutely recommended!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp