Film blogs and websites get so inundated with news of big Hollywood productions — and a few smaller ones that get more of the limelight — that it’s easy to overlook smaller films. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to interview up-and-coming UK director Shaun Robert Smith about his upcoming film The 4th Reich (if you do a Google search for his name and interview, I’m sure it will come up).

Who could ignore a film with a synopsis like this?

“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.

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…”

I’m already sold on the idea of Nazi zombies, but when your cast is headlined by the magnificent Tom Savini and you’re shooting in 3D, I’m all yours. According to the director, the film will ground itself in a substantial amount of historical reality, which I find quite interesting. When I originally interviewed Shaun, he was in the production pipeline; now, according to an official press release, they’re closer than ever:

“Filming is scheduled to start in mid-April and pre-production is in full swing. Shaun has been busying himself with make-up tests, location scouting and 3D tests.”

More news on The 4th Reich as the film develops. If you’re curious as to what you’re in store for, feel free to check out Smith’s short film The Soldier, which was the genesis of this project.

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