Ganja & Hess: The Complete Edition 2006 Horror Movie Review

In this once-lost masterpiece of independent horror, the blade of an ancient African knife spreads a vampiric contagion to research assistant George (director Bill Gunn), whose bloodlust soon infects Dr. Hess Green (Night of the Living Dead’s Duane Jones) as well. When Hess is enraptured by George’s beautiful wife, Ganja (Enter the Dragon’s Marlene Clark), he attempts to conceal his terrible secret… but at a high price.  Intended to capitalize on the 1970s market for gothic horror films and blaxploitation, this bold, striking statement from Bill Gunn - playwright, actor, multiple threat artist - is an arthouse thriller about addiction, culture clashes, and moral redemption. Hailed as one of the great artistic achievements of modern American cinema, it was the only American film screened during Critics’ Week at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival where it won a standing ovation.  It was literally ahead of its time—so audacious and unique it was all but buried after being screened for years in a savagely-butchered edition. We are proud to present this exclusive DVD restoration of Bill Gunn’s director’s cut, including 3 minutes of footage missing from previous home video versions.