This is the excellent fan film made by Steven Sterlacchini, Stephen Green, a host of volunteers and lead actor Edmund Dehn. The story is based and expands on an original one-off Judge Dredd story in 2000AD in which an aging street judge must choose between teaching at the Academy of Law or going on 'The Long Walk', basically exile to the radiation ravaged lands beyond the city walls. Dehn is simply superb in the role, bringing a real humanity to his character of Judge Bill Minty....his gravel-voiced narration makes one wonder if he might be a good choice to play Dredd himself in a follow-up tale. The budget was minimal and there are a few moments that give away the amateur roots but these are minor and as you can see it gives Hollywood a real run for its money. It is possibly one of the best executed fan films to date and a damn fine sci-fi short to boot. It goes to show what can be done with the sheer will and enthusiasm of some dedicated geeks.
The bar has been set high for other fan-made productions of which there are at least one happening that deal with the Dredd-verse. It remains to be seen whether or not the two Steve's will make a follow up to this (I think they are sick of being asked) , Minty was made with the full permission and backing of 2000AD publisher Rebellion so one would hope that someone in there would be keen to start their own version of the MARVEL cinematic universe. There are rich pickings with superb stories like Rogue Trooper, Sláine, Strontium Dog but I think what most of us would like to see is another Dredd movie or a series....or both.
The bar has been set high for other fan-made productions of which there are at least one happening that deal with the Dredd-verse. It remains to be seen whether or not the two Steve's will make a follow up to this (I think they are sick of being asked) , Minty was made with the full permission and backing of 2000AD publisher Rebellion so one would hope that someone in there would be keen to start their own version of the MARVEL cinematic universe. There are rich pickings with superb stories like Rogue Trooper, Sláine, Strontium Dog but I think what most of us would like to see is another Dredd movie or a series....or both.