Before you read my review, I would like to state that I am on a friendly basis with members of Toe Tag Pictures. Upon reading this, my views of the film are in no way biased for this reason.

Upon the release of his second film, Mordum, I found out through the special features that there was a first part to this blood soaked torturama of a film. After finding out about this notorious film, I went on a non-stop internet hunt for one of the original, limited, 200 VHS copies, but to no avail. When I finally met Fred and Shelby (of Toe Tag Pictures) at the chiller convention last October, I was finally able to get my hands on the original film, from the maker himself (double disc special edition, no less). I finally felt a sense of triumph. From Toe Tag Pictures and director Fred Vogel.

August Underground

From the very start (meaning like the first 2 minutes, if even) the film seemed innocent... then the mayhem began. We view a young girl, bound with duct tape to a chair, nipple removed, covered in blood and shit dripping from her ass. At this point I knew I was viewing something I hadn't seen before, a shocking masterpiece. Though having viewed Mordum previous to this, and feeling that the future of horror was right before my eyes, August Underground hit a nerve that no other film ever had.

Two, young, seemingly happy guys one being behind the camera (Allen Peters) and the other being Peter (Fred Vogel, himself), run wild with laughter as they torture this young girl in a basement room, the walls covered in pornographic material and blood. While the cameraman fiddles and toys with the girl, Peter hacks up her boyfriend (or friend) in the bathroom tub, then offering to the girl a most tasty meaty feast.

As the film continued I could not help but to keep my eyes glued to the screen. I sat and watched, as these two guys travel to different areas of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, go to shows, visit sites and brutally torture and murder innocent people along the way.

Though being a pseudo-snuff film, I have still viewed nothing more mentally disturbing to this day. Peter and his partner have a blood lust, as well as a lust for fun and music, making the film seem all the more realistic. Let me put it this way, it was like watching a film of a friend and myself having a good time, only throw in a few tortures and murders.

The graininess and VHS/video camera quality of the film only added to its realism. Fred Vogel has nailed it, straight through the wrists, and eyes of his viewers, with extreme force, that was the case for me anyway. If I had received this film, on an un-marked VHS tape, on my doorstep one day, un-aware of its whereabouts or what it contained, but decided to throw it in my VCR anyway, I would have definitely questioned it... Big Time! In actuality, I wish that had been the case, for the reason that I think it would have had quite a jolt on me, to later find out that it was an actual movie. It almost would have made me appreciate it more.

Knowing that it was not a real snuff film, I still felt a sense of realism from it, from the start till the very finish. I think the reasoning for this was that, Fred had a vision, to terrify like no other film maker had ever done before, or had attempted to do but not triumphant. Most horror films of these types have there moments, this one had its entirety. By this point in time Fred Vogel has succeeded in his vision, with the ferocity of a serial killer, then again, I think that was his intention.

To me, to speak of this film is to speak of horror history in the making (which has already begun). To review this film, is to review life itself. Scary isn't it?

The Ratings:

Visually, the film was fantastic, like I said above the quality of the film was grainy and looked like it was shot on a VHS video camera, and even had the ware and tare of it being over watched or taped over several times (Realism!). For the film quality I give it a 9.

As for the scenery and locations of the film they were great. It was real life, what more can you ask for? The scenes in the basement room, I thought were very well put together, for the fact that the rest of the house seemed normal, then we enter the dark side of life. From the cut up porn photos to the dinginess, as most basements are, just straight up realism. I give a 10.

The acting was surprisingly, fantastic. For such an independent film, I found it to be incredible how believable everyone was. From the killers, to the store clerk and the victims, just a fantastic job, not to mention that Peter really seems to be the dark side of Fred, everyone has a dark side, he just expressed his on film. For the acting I give a 10.

The story line itself was also fantastic. I cant say it enough people, this is real life, this shit happens, its read in the papers everyday! For story/screen play I give a 10.

For the film as a whole, my decision is based on impact. This movie had a major impact on me, and I hope it will have the same effect on you as well. August Underground gets an overall rating of a 10.

It is up to us, the fans to Spread the Sickness and keep true horror alive!!

Visit Fred and the rest of the TTP crew at www.toetagpictures.com, from there you can buy the films and other kick ass merch, as well as learn about Fred and the gang, up coming projects, and a killer forum for true horror fans.

August Underground can also be purchased through www.xploitedcinema.com, as well as many, many other sick and deranged flicks. If you want them, they probably have them.

Long live the underground!!