These days its all about the special effects and how much money can be spent making a film look the best it can. Or at least thats how it seems at times!
A discussion at work came up about great 'low budget' films that have been seen and enjoyed.
One that came to mind for me was Dog Soldiers:
uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R_0Ej5N-hFQ (trailer)
Any others?
Best low budget flicks?
Moderators: sgt.null, dANdeLION
Best low budget flicks?
"-People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes."
I can't say I was a huge fan of the Blair Witch Project...I really should re watch it and see if that makes it better.
I liked the concept but something was lacking for me.
I liked the concept but something was lacking for me.
"-People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes."
No kidding, Infelice! The phenomenal success of Blair Witch must have had every independent "guerrilla" filmmaker out there feeling jealous or vindicated or both. 
Another worthwhile low budget flick I just thought of is Eraserhead (1977). Its estimated cost was $100,000. It's one of the strangest movies I've ever seen, but it has grown on me. I first saw it just last year, though its reputation had preceded it. Definitely an acquired taste, but then, so is Blair Witch.
Another worthwhile low budget flick I just thought of is Eraserhead (1977). Its estimated cost was $100,000. It's one of the strangest movies I've ever seen, but it has grown on me. I first saw it just last year, though its reputation had preceded it. Definitely an acquired taste, but then, so is Blair Witch.
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Dog Soldiers is a good one, particularly since it comes complete with non-more-British Sean Pertwee. 
Not a great fan of the Blair Witch Project. Not a bad film, just not worth all the fuss.
Eraserhead...now that's a strange and unique film. One of only two films (to date) that have actually come anywhere near scaring me (the other being the original version of The Wicker Man). Incomprehensible and disturbing.
As for suggestions of my own...nothing comes to mind.
Not a great fan of the Blair Witch Project. Not a bad film, just not worth all the fuss.
Eraserhead...now that's a strange and unique film. One of only two films (to date) that have actually come anywhere near scaring me (the other being the original version of The Wicker Man). Incomprehensible and disturbing.
As for suggestions of my own...nothing comes to mind.
I can't think of any more myself...all that comes to mind are silly horror flicks, but the kind without the ingenuity of Blair Witch. 
I've never seen Dog Soldiers. Nor Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter - though I'd like to.
Good pick, jelerak. Reservoir Dogs stunned me when I saw it in the theatre. What an audacious debut by Quentin Tarantino.
At this point, we may have to start agreeing on some baseline number that constitutes a legitimate "low" budget.
Under $500,000? Under $1 million? Because the budget for Reservoir Dogs was an estimated $1.2 million. You have to admit, it's a pretty professional, polished looking film for a "low-budget" production. But I'd still agree that it's a low-budget affair, because $1.2 mil is still peanuts compared to the many gargantuan movie budgets today.
I've never seen Dog Soldiers. Nor Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter - though I'd like to.
Good pick, jelerak. Reservoir Dogs stunned me when I saw it in the theatre. What an audacious debut by Quentin Tarantino.
At this point, we may have to start agreeing on some baseline number that constitutes a legitimate "low" budget.
Under $500,000? Under $1 million? Because the budget for Reservoir Dogs was an estimated $1.2 million. You have to admit, it's a pretty professional, polished looking film for a "low-budget" production. But I'd still agree that it's a low-budget affair, because $1.2 mil is still peanuts compared to the many gargantuan movie budgets today.
I'd say around the $1 million mark or rather films that where made on a low budget compared to the really high cost ones.
For example - Event Horizan wouldn't have cost as much as the new Star Wars type of thing.
Jesus Christ Vampire Slayer-not heard of that one but it certainly sounds like it would appeal to my sense of humour.
The low budget horror can be some of the best.
eg: Evil Dead ($350.000)
*side note-the last in the trilogy, Army of Darkness, apparently cost about $11 million so quite a step up!
Saw ($1.2 million)
Pi was also pretty low budget was it not?
For example - Event Horizan wouldn't have cost as much as the new Star Wars type of thing.
Jesus Christ Vampire Slayer-not heard of that one but it certainly sounds like it would appeal to my sense of humour.
The low budget horror can be some of the best.
eg: Evil Dead ($350.000)
*side note-the last in the trilogy, Army of Darkness, apparently cost about $11 million so quite a step up!
Saw ($1.2 million)
Pi was also pretty low budget was it not?
Last edited by Chrysalis on Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"-People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes."
Good call on Rocky, danlo.
I have not seen Pi or Primer, but they would definitely qualify as low-budget flicks. In fact, Primer is the "lowest" budget film of all the ones we've mentioned so far. IMDB says it was made for around just $7,000! That may be some kind of record. I think that would just barely cover the cost of the camera equipment. Did the filmmakers shoot the whole thing in a day and pay the actors in coffee and donuts?
To be clear, I'm not being mocking. I think it's great that a legitimate movie could be made for seven grand! It gives hope to anyone with a camera and ambition.
I have not seen Pi or Primer, but they would definitely qualify as low-budget flicks. In fact, Primer is the "lowest" budget film of all the ones we've mentioned so far. IMDB says it was made for around just $7,000! That may be some kind of record. I think that would just barely cover the cost of the camera equipment. Did the filmmakers shoot the whole thing in a day and pay the actors in coffee and donuts?
To be clear, I'm not being mocking. I think it's great that a legitimate movie could be made for seven grand! It gives hope to anyone with a camera and ambition.
Coffee and doughnuts would be a good start certainly!
I shall be adding Primer to my list of films to watch. Hadn't come across it before.
Rocky was a good call! I still can't believe Stallone did another one and is now doing another Rambo too.
Another that sprung to mind was The Rocky Horror Picture Show - this took about $1.2 mil.
Total cult classic too.
Clerks also seems to fit the 'low budget' theme as well as El Mariachi which preceeded Desperado.
While searching for more I came across this:
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead ( $500k)
www.poultrygeistmovie.com/
I shall be adding Primer to my list of films to watch. Hadn't come across it before.
Rocky was a good call! I still can't believe Stallone did another one and is now doing another Rambo too.
Another that sprung to mind was The Rocky Horror Picture Show - this took about $1.2 mil.
Total cult classic too.
Clerks also seems to fit the 'low budget' theme as well as El Mariachi which preceeded Desperado.
While searching for more I came across this:
Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead ( $500k)
www.poultrygeistmovie.com/
"-People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes."
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[Syl]
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Oh sure, Luci mentions Primer and gets people interested. I pointed it out the week before it hit video, and get nothin'. 
Clerks has already been mentioned, so I'll just mention Evil Dead.
Jim Jarmusch also deserves some credit, since Dead Man was his most expensive film at 9 mil.
Clerks has already been mentioned, so I'll just mention Evil Dead.
Jim Jarmusch also deserves some credit, since Dead Man was his most expensive film at 9 mil.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
well i plunked down 30 bucks at the time cause that was the best price i could find and i WANTED it.
its definitely not that price now, MM.
and i heartily concur on Evil Dead...i just liked Evil Dead 2 much better.
i'm also a jarmusch fan. Stranger Than Paradise is one of my alltime favorite films!!
and i loved Down By Law! roberto and tom!! "its a sad and beautiful world"
its definitely not that price now, MM.
and i heartily concur on Evil Dead...i just liked Evil Dead 2 much better.
i'm also a jarmusch fan. Stranger Than Paradise is one of my alltime favorite films!!
and i loved Down By Law! roberto and tom!! "its a sad and beautiful world"
you're more advanced than a cockroach,
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
I most certainly agree! I was pretty much brought up watching Rocky Horror and also Hair which followed the 'musical' theme!Matrixman wrote:
Rocky Horror Picture Show is another good one. I love the songs! Never mind Disney, Rocky Horror is my idea of a sing-along movie.
That Poultrygeist is just...well I can't even find the words..
The trailer was certainly...enlightening!
Lucimay - Evil Dead 2 is great. I'm a big fan of the 3rd part- Army of Darkness.
Not forgetting Napoleon Dynamite which was estimated at $400k
I was taken to see that while vacationing in New Zealand - bizarre film!
"-People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes."
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[Syl]
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Reminds me: this youtube clip shows just how much you can do with a limited budget, crew, and schedule.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
