Video Nasty - The Toolbox Murders

The Toolbox Murders

(1978)

Cal-Am Productions / Tony DiDio Productions : Cal-Am Artists / Blue Underground

6.75 / 10

One Man...  One Toolbox...  A Ski Mask...  A Mission From God!!!

This is one hell of a slasher flick, well the first half is when our ski-masked killer dispatches four women in the space of two nights.  His weapon of choice is whatever he pulls from his toolbox.

Dennis Donnelly paces the killing spree nicely as the killer taunts his victims before he drills, hammers, screws, and nails them (yes, I got the blatant symbolism).  After dispatching three in one night, he has to call it off due to the arrival of the police.  It's his fourth kill which is strangely beautiful as it's kinda choreographed to the song on the radio, "Pretty Lady" (this scene is on YouTube - no surprise).  I also liked the fact that actress Marianne Walter does the whole scene naked... and not for the reasons you think.  Here's the thing.  She is attacked while bathing and as far as I know we bathe in the nude (I do).  I don't think the killer's going to wait until she wraps a towel around her, let alone apply the "Tit-tape" so it doesn't fall down.  The positive side is that Walter is gorgeous, though I would've loved the scene had any woman done it, as it shows the reality of the situation.  I think the only actress that would dare do this at the moment is Milla Jovovich.

Sadly, the movie then stalls a little as it changes from murder to a mystery as our bad guy kidnaps a girl, then it's about finding her as well as the toolbox man.  This falls to her brother, his friend, and the police.  Thanks to the actors and the director, you begin to suspect people.

Then in the last section, the movie moves up a gear, though it never quite gets to the same speed as the start.  Here you find out the identity of the killer and his reasons, though they're a tad unlikely.  There are two driving forces to the psycho killer and they should be in conflict with each other, this made his actions seem implausible. Once you think you've got a handle on it, the twist kicks in.

I loved the fact that hardly any of the women screamed, they pleaded, they ran, they fought back, and even tried to bargain for their lives, which is more realistic than screaming your lungs out.

Most of the actors, at best, were above average.  The best scene goes to Cameron Mitchell (he of Bonanza fame) and adds a depth to the story and the character of Vance Kingsley.  Also, Wesley Eure for his sometimes creepy portrayal of Kent.

This was a walk down memory lane, back to the 80's when boundaries and censorship were being pushed.  If you want to know what the fuss was all about then take a look at this film and some of your queries will be answered.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - The Toolbox Murders