The Rise of the 4th Reich

There's been a lot of enthusiasm building about a new horror movie that's getting ready to shoot in the UK. Quite rightly so, as The 4th Reich has been gathering momentum for some time now. Scheduled to start shooting soon, the production has secured a distribution deal to ensure the film gets maximum coverage. Brainchild of writer, director and special effects artist Shaun Robert Smith, The 4th Reich aims to be truly thought provoking and visually engaging, as well as providing an intensely bloody experience for horror fans.

Here's the official line:

June 1944, after the glorious victory on D-day, the armies of the combined allied forces begin their long push to Berlin with the aim of bringing down Hitler and the despised Nazi regime of the Third Reich.

But buried deep in secret files German Reichstag, is the chilling reality of Hitler’s plan to create an eternal living hell, The 4th Reich.

Dr. Joseph Mengele, Hitler’s chief scientist, was charged with creating a new super army of invincible soldiers. A force that would never be beaten. His experiments and research at the death camps of Auschwitz, Belsen and Birkenau would create unspeakable evil.

A small brigade of soldiers from 3rd Infantry Division, under the command of the battle hardened Captain Bathurst embark on an ever darkening quest to liberate Europe. Fighting their way through the French countryside, villages and war ravaged towns. Each step discovering progressively strange battles and events until they reach an abandoned research facility where the true horror begins...

The film has come about as a development of Smith's highly acclaimed short film The Soldier, made for 2007's "2 Days Later Film Challenge", which went on to scoop a host of awards in the contest  including Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing and a nomination for Best Sound. The film was short listed for the London Short Film Festival and a nomination for the Dead by Dawn award.

The talent lined up so far includes Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers) in the role of Capt. Bathurst, supported by Patrick Toomey, Craig Conway (The Descent), Clayton Fussell (from The Soldier), William Scott-Masson (TV's Sherlock), Jason Flemyng (Lock Stock, Snatch, Dead Cert). As if that wasn't enough, Pinhead himself, Mr Doug Bradley and legendary SFX artist Tom Savini will also feature in extended cameos.

Looks like a very promising project. The film is due to start shooting soon and we'll bring you more news as we get it. In the meantime, take a look at the short that started the ball rolling:

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