Death Bed: The Bed That Eats

Death Bed: The Bed That Eats
Official Cult Epics Blu-ray artwork, 2013
Directed byGeorge Barry
Written byGeorge Barry
Produced by
  • George Barry
  • Maureen Petrucci
Starring
CinematographyRobert Fresco
Edited byRon Medico
Music by
  • Mike McCoy (original cut)
  • Cyclobe (2003 release)
Distributed byCult Epics (home media)
Release date
Running time
77 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30,000[2]

Death Bed: The Bed That Eats is a 1977 American surrealist folk horror film[3] written, produced, and directed by George Barry in his only feature film, and starring Demene Hall, William Russ, Julie Ritter, and Dave Marsh. The plot centers on a demon-possessed bed that is passed on through generations, bringing tragedy upon those who come across it.

Filmed in Detroit in the early 1970s on a budget of $30,000, Death Bed underwent approximately four years' worth of post-production by Barry, and did not receive distribution upon completion. Despite this, the film garnered a minor cult following in Europe after it was made available via bootlegged VHS editions, initially through the United Kingdom-based label Portland Films. Barry was unaware of these unofficial releases until 2001 when he came across a review of the film on an online forum.

The film was championed by British film critic, writer, and musician Stephen Thrower, whose musical group, Cyclobe, composed a new musical theme for the film with Barry's approval. Cyclobe's music was integrated into the film before it had its first official theatrical premiere at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival in February 2003. The U.S. home media label Cult Epics released the film on DVD the same year, and a Blu-ray edition followed in 2013.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference harvey03 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ The A.V. Club 2009, p. 174.
  3. ^ Yanick, Joe (December 13, 2015). "Death Bed: The Bed That Eats US Blu-ray Review". Diabolique Magazine. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023.