Harold's Going Stiff

Each year at the Sydney Film Festival they have a section of horror films and I make it a point to check at least one of them out. Most of the time they are films which go straight to DVD so it is a great chance to see them on the big screen.
The zombie film is one which has been made so many times that there does not seem to be anything new that can be done. Usually the plot involves a group of survivors from some viral apocalypse who are trying to out run the living dead. So it is very refreshing to see one that takes a bit of a unique spin on it. 
In a north English town a new disease called Onset Riggers Disease (ORD) has broken out. It strikes males only and causes them to become rigid and unable to move. It eventually develops into a zombie like condition. There is a group of guys who roam the countryside killing the worst cases. Meanwhile Harold is a sufferer but his condition is slow in developing so he is being used to hopefully find a cure. 
The film is made in the style of a documentary which helps to set it apart from most other films about zombies. It is because of this that tone is less horror and more character based. The story focuses on Harold and his relationship with a home care nurse who helps him cope with the disease. This is a really sweet natured story and the one of the film's stronger points. Writer/director Keith Wright uses the zombie disease in a more realistic way. Most of the time it is a viral outbreak or a science experiment gone wrong. That is if they even mention how the zombies came about. Keith has made you feel that this could really happen to people. The only problem is that he has put too many constraints on that idea. It only happens to men and seems to only be happening in this local area. It would have been better is the disease affected women too and cases were found in other places. 
As a way of including more horror, Keith has added in a group of guys who provide much of the film's humour. The other refreshing aspect is that there is very little violence. The guys are killing zombies but they don't have very many victims. That is not a bad thing either, but if you like a lot of blood and guts in your zombie films then this may not be for you. 
Stan Rowe gives an excellent performance in the title role. I assume it would be hard to act this role physically with all the stiffness involved. His performance is very emotional too as you come to care for Harold over the coarse of the film. Sarah Spencer as his home care nurse is equally as good. Their relationship feels very real and provides many emotional moments. Andy Pandini, Richard Harrison and Lee Thompson make an excellent group of vigilantes. Richard is particularly funny as the groups new recruit who must go through a hazing process.
A new spin on the zombie genre that takes it in a new direction. Those looking for something more violent will be disappointed but if you can handle a more emotional journey then you will be greatly rewarded.