Storm Warning

The real guts of the DVD extras lie in the excellent commentary track, which features director Jamie Blanks, writer Everett De Roche, actor Robert Taylor, cinematographer Karl von Moller, executive producer Mark Pennell, producer Pete Ford, special effects and make up supervisor Justin Dix and production designer Robbie Perkins.

Between them they offer a laidback, friendly and amusing insight into the making of the film. De Roche reveals that he wrote the script 30 years ago but branded "too gamey" by his agent at the time. Other bases covered include the use of CGI water to avoid exacerpating the current Aussie drought, the need to sack the dog and Taylor's delight at showering with Nadia ("Was that water heated?" asks Blanks, "I didn't care," he chips back.). Among the laughs, there's still room for plenty of information about the production design - not to mention the Joey ("Not a real joey because they're so bloody hard to get."), which would occasionally "breakdance" thanks to it running on the same frequency as the wireless headphones. Plus there is the revelation that one of the most gruesome devices in the film was inspired by a box of baby wipes.

The whole track is full of little gems like this and - unlike many of its ilk - will stand up well to repeated listening. It's just a shame that several extras Blanks mentions on the commentary - including an entire mock-up of the horse porn movie, Mr Velvet, used part way through the film - haven't made it on to this final release.

Rounding out the extras is a six-minute featurette about the make up and special effects - lots of onset footage showing the capturing of all the main special/make up effects in the film. It's basic, without any sort of commentary, but highly entertaining. The cast interviews with David Lyons (six minutes), John Brumpton (two and a half minutes) and Mathew Wilkinson (whose name is cruelly misspelled on the title card for his two minute spiel) are the weakest link in the extras - shame they couldn't get Nadia Fares to say a little bit about her role, too - but they are diverting enough. A trailer finishes off an enjoyable package.