Fighting the undead is all a game in STAG NIGHT OF THE DEAD, a British feature from writer/director/producer Napoleon Jones. It’s set for DVD release in the UK January 6, with negotiations underway for U.S. distribution, and we’ve got the first look at a new trailer, a couple of photos and comments from Jones to share with you.

STAG NIGHT is set following a zombie outbreak, when the government has franchised out their disposal to private contractors. Aiming to make money off this morbid situation, Mr. Ree (Jeff Rudom) establishes the sport of Zomball: a paintball-style game where humans get to shoot the ghouls with electric stun guns. The story focuses on about-to-be-married Dean (Sebastian Street) and a group of his friends—plus a stripper—who head out to a rundown military base for a bachelor-party Zomball outing, and soon find themselves in way over their heads. The cast also includes Sophie Lovell Anderson, Bruce Lawrence, Rez Kempton, Joe Rainbow, James G. Fain, Doug Grant, Jeff Rudom and Mike Busson.

The movie was shot largely at a British RAF base, and employed over 100 zombie performers. “STAG NIGHT OF THE DEAD is pretty much the movie I wanted to make—a quirky B-movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but has a heart,” Jones tells Fango. “For zombie fans, our undead are the pissed-off exploited victims. Imagine a theme park where the costumed characters snap and start hunting down the tourists… Our background extras were all seriously knowledgeable about their genre and walked and shuffled in the style of previous movie ghouls; our zombies don’t run.”

While SHAUN OF THE DEAD would seem an obvious antecedent, Jones says his inspirations for the movie can be found among non-zombie genres: “STAG NIGHT pays a respectful nod to, first and foremost, the demigod Patrick McGoohan and THE PRISONER; hence, we have ‘Number 48,’ ‘Mr. Ree,’ lava lamps and ‘Dry Bones.’ Following closely is my top film of all time, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON.” Putting it all on screen “aged me by at least 10 years,” he adds. “I probably spent more of the nonexistent budget on cigarettes than catering! We shot the film in 17 days over a two-year period, and spent just as long in post.

“But most of the stress and pain has subsided to the point that I’m ready to make the next film. What STAG NIGHT OF THE DEAD shows is that if you have the confidence and determination, you can do it. Don’t let people tell you why you won’t succeed in making your movie. I never went to film school, didn’t know anybody in the industry and had a day job, wife, kids, etc. If I can do it, so can you.” You can experience more of STAG NIGHT OF THE DEAD at its official website. 

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