Rent Bunker 717 (2022)

Enjoyable but underwritten French horror ... - Bunker 717 review by NP

This chatty French horror film has similarities with 2014’s ‘Up Above, So Below’. I found that film’s success surprising for such a lacklustre production, so my enthusiasm for ‘Bunker 717’ (sometimes known as ‘Deep Fear’) was muted. The results here are pretty good.

Three students decide to celebrate their graduation by exploring the catacombs underneath Paris. They appear to be followed down there by a couple of skinhead ne’er do wells.

Things start off slowly and it’s a pity some of the time wasn’t spent allowing us to get to know the characters better; they are all fairly likeable, but sketchy. The main antagonist, who is impressive but used very sparingly, would also have benefited from some semblance of a backstory.

This is low-key, but mainly fun. The claustrophobic setting is well conveyed and there’s a real sense of ‘things lurking in the shadows’. This, and a convincing level of gore, coupled with an effective ending, makes for a fairly effective 80 minutes. My score is 6 out of 10.

French -B-Movie Nazi Bunker Horror set in Paris Catacombs - Bunker 717 review by PV

Bit of a silly horror, set in Paris Catacombs in 1991 (so those in WWII can still be alive) - where once the bones from the city's cemeteries were stored after Hausman redesigned Paris with boulevards etc.

Cartoon characters; 2-D baddie skinheads. Straight to video stuff as used to be called. Mercifully short.

Reminds me of several other B-movies about bunkers with long lost Nazis.

The BEST of these is the comedy horror SEVERANCE (2006) which may well have influenced this but is WAY better in all ways.

Some other B-movies vaguely in my thoughts. OUTPOST, THE BUNKER, THE TRENCH etc. And the immortal BL:OODSTORM also called Nazis at the Center of the Earth which is bonkers.