There's not much to recommend about this Video Nasty except for the storyline, the premise of which should have resulted in a much better movie, and the acting, though they are wasted in this travesty.
This is the story of a secret society sick with the depravity on the streets of their neighbourhood so they hire a Vietnam Veteran to help clean up their streets... the trouble is he's suffering from shell-shock and starts to any and everyone.
This in itself could have given the audience a bloodfest to remember. However, the director, Peter Maris, opts for a slow pace. Which might have worked well to build tension if there had been a torture scene, which there isn't (another missed opportunity), but hinders the film since it's used throughout its runtime. The slowness of the film is made up of boring and pointless scenes that, though, well acted (compared to everything else), are badly directed. There needed to be more action sequences especially concerning the Vet's breakdown.
There're too many flashbacks to Vietnam. The director is so lazy he just cut in loads of stock footage; this adds to the lackadaisical feel of the direction and hinders the film and frustrates the viewer.
I would only recommend this to anyone who is watching the video nasty list to see why some of the listed films were banned (this one was banned because they thought some people may be prone to copy the actions of the Vet). However, be prepared to keep hitting the rewind button every time you wake up because this film has the power to induce sleep.
Film Ventures International / G T O Films Ltd / Cinefear / Arrow Film Distributors Ltd.
5.5 / 10
This is a dark psychological thriller about the consequences of child abuse. Donny Kohler is a man who is growing increasingly detached from his life. One day, while he's at work he witnesses an accident which causes one of his work colleagues to catch on fire. While the rest of the workforce rush about trying to help the man Donny stands transfixed and spellbound by the sight.
It brings back to him the memories of his mother's retribution for misbehaviour, where she would hold his hands and arms above the open flame of the kitchen hob. This triggers his psychosis, flames cleanse the sins of man... and woman.
Kohler played admirably well by Dan Grimaldi - who is very good at making this psychopathic killer appear as normal - then sets out on his mission of cleansing his town. The most chilling part of this film isn't the killing or the portrayal of Kohler, but the killing room. Kohler covers the walls, floor and ceiling in sheet metal and adds a meat hook in the centre of the room, from which to hang his prey. It's the idea that he's thought this through to this extent so as not to burn down his house that makes it a very creepy and chilling issue and adds a deep psychological darkness to the character.
However, there are issues with the story, especially in correspondence with Kohler's character. There are some scenes that don't quite gel with his personality. And some of the directing could have been better. The scene when Kohler goes out with his friend and ends up attacking his date is well thought out story-wise; however, it could have been acted and directed much better There is a few scene's like this.
The director, Joseph Ellison, who co-scripted the story with writer Joe Masefield and Ellen Hammill, does create a good film with a variable pace and flow, which helps to create atmosphere and keep the viewers interested. However, I feel he could have done more to bring it above average.
The acting is okay though nobody shines through or dominates the film. This is a shame because I think if Dan Grimaldi was a little stronger in his craft it would have made the film a hell of a lot scarier,
Overall, the film suffers from averageness, though it is worth at least one watch. This is a film I would love to see remade, though adding a stronger cast and director, as I believe the story could make a classic film. I would gladly recommend the film to anybody who likes darker psychological thrillers and isn't too distressed by graphic and gory scenes. This left a chill in my bones and I will be watching the film again.
Universal Pictures / Arrow Films / MCA/Universal Home Video
6.25 / 10
This film goes to show how stringent the English film board was back in the eighties as this got an X certificate on release and then ended up banned... and now in its UNCUT version, it rates a 15 certificate.
To be truthful though, after watching - and still viewing - films on the video nasties list I cannot understand why or how this film achieved a banned status. In Tobe Hooper's other banned film Eaten Alive there are scene's of torture and animal cruelty, whereas in Funhouse there's nothing along these lines. In fact, this is pretty standard fayre in the slasher mould. There are rumours of the BBFC getting the certification wrong by choosing the wrong Funhouse to ban. In 1977 there was a film released called The Last House On Dead End Street, which was nasty enough to make the list, though didn't, and had previously been released in 1972 as The Fun House - see my review here.
You have a deformed man who is unable to find love due to his looks and personality buying sexual favours from the carnival's fortune teller. Unfortunately, for her, he finishes prematurely and when she demands money for services rendered he gets upset... and she gets dead. This interlude is viewed by four teenagers who thought it would be fun to hide out in the ghost train. Of course, one of them makes a noise and draws the attention of the deformed killer who must dispatch them to keep his secret safe.
Though the concept is good its development onto film is strained. As most of the action takes place in a limited area Tobe Hooper should have tried to develop a tension of claustrophobia as our witnesses find it increasingly difficult to escape the funhouse. However, the carny ride appears massive and unending - could it be a Gallifreyan Time Machine(?) For me, there wasn't enough tension or excitement and at times I found my attention drifting.
The actors are above average and cope well with building their characters and making them realistic, though none of them stands out above the others. It would have been nice to have been introduced to some of the major characters back stories and more personal insights so the viewers could relate to them a little more. This would make their murders more emotionally stronger and bring the viewer into the story more.
There is one brilliant thing about this film and the writer, Lawrence Block, and the director should have tried to work it into the story more as it would have added more depth, mystery, and paranormal atmospheres if done correctly. At each of the carnival's rides and shows, there's a barker shouting the attractions merits to entice the people in. Though the barkers are constantly at their positions and could not be the same person, each one is played by Kevin Conway. This is a subtle thing that when spotted adds a mysterious element to the story, which is then completely ignored. It's like somebody had an idea but couldn't come up with a suitable resolution to it.
This is not a bad film, by any means, it's just average; one of those films you'd watch if you'd not seen it before and there was nothing else on. Worth watching at least once. Not Tobe Hoopers best film and not his worst.
It's the story which makes this a little gem of a film. Three college students are on their way to a concert when they take a wrong turn and crash the car due to bad weather. Luckily for them, a handyman finds them and takes them to a nearby house where he does odd jobs. The doctor authorises them to stay in the house for a few days to rest, especially since one of them has a suspected concussion. However, things are not so black and white in the house. The relationship between Mother and Daughter is strained, due to the Mother's opinion on men. Is there someone else in the house? Are they watching the girls?
The writers Reagan Ramsey and Don Gronquist (who also directed) do a great job in building the story slowly creating an uneasiness and unsureness about the house and its occupants. You're never quite sure what is really going on or who is behind it. Gronquist does an okay job when he dons his directorial hat, though the pace is a little slow, even in exciting moments, and there are times when more action or drama is required so as not to bore the viewers. It would have been a little better if Gronquist could have injected a bit more tension and eeriness into the film and the surroundings.
The lead role, Terry Morgan (played by Laural Munson), is a little wooden and sometimes the pauses in her conversations is a little too long so that you think she could be reading off of cards. The best actress by far is Virginia Settle who portrays the bitter and twisted matriarch, Mrs Penrose; she gives a strong and believable depiction and helps to make this film better.
The other thing which makes this movie one to watch is the twist at the climax, you know roughly what's coming though Ramsey and Gronquist add an extra twist to throw the viewer slightly off the mark. This is a film worth watching at least once, especially if you like mysteries and thrillers as this ticks the boxes, though you will need to like the slow and less action-packed style.
This film is crying out for a remake and with today's special effects it could really make this as special as it should be. Though it's the story that writer and director Ovidio G Assonitis along with writers Stephen Blakely, Roberto Gandus, and Peter Shepherd crafted which needs better representation than this film was given, surprisingly enough from Assonitis, who's direction especially at the end turns this into a nearly unwatchable farce instead of a horrific psychological thriller.
This is the tale of twin sisters, Julia who is played by Trish Everly (The Good Sister) and Mary Sullivan played by Allison Biggers (The Bad Sister). During their childhood, it was Mary who was the dominant sibling and tormented, teased, and tortured Julia whenever she could. This behaviour sent Mary to the psychiatric hospital where Julia chose to forget about her. After developing a severe skin disease Mary asks to see her twin and Julia grudgingly agrees, after some cajoling from their Uncle, Father James. The meeting goes as expected with Mary getting angry and attacking her sister while cursing her that she'll make her sorry. After she escapes the institution she and her faithful pet Doberman start to invite Julia's friends to their birthday party... by killing them.
When the climax arrives and everything is revealed you will need to hold onto your sanity and accept the unbelievable in the incredulity of a twist which was only manufactured to shock. Though for spoiler reason's, I cannot say what this is, you won't and cannot miss it. If this twist had been written and filmed better than it would have made an otherwise okay and average movie better... and not worse, as it did.
The acting is pretty standard and average until you get to the finale then you enter the lunatic and stupid, which I will put down to Assonitis' direction. Though I think Dennis Robertson as Father James should have won an Oscar for the "Most-Over-The-Top Acting Role In A Movie... EVER!" It is really gleefully bad.
Assonitis also has trouble with pacing the film and this gives the work a disjointed feeling.
However, the evil Doberman is the best thing in the film and some of the attack scenes are even better as they used a real dog as well as a prop set of jaws (which can look a little awful).
I would only recommend this film to lovers of bad B-Movies but be warned you do need to stay to the finale to see the best scene.
Lisa-Film / Metro Film / Rapid Film : Megastar Films / Inter-Light Video / Trans World Entertainment / Video Instant Picture Company
6.0 / 10
Another murder mystery placed under the Horror banner due to the gory content.
This is the story of a twisted and murderous affluent family set in Costa Del Sol, Spain. Miguel's psyche is broken. He is in love with his sister and their love has been consummated, though Manuela has now stopped his amorous attentions; she tell's him their feelings are wrong and that he should go back to the party and enjoy himself. At the party, he picks up a blonde woman and they go back to her room. Unfortunately, when she spurns his advances Miguel picks up a pair of scissors and brutally and fatally attacks the girl.
This opening sequence, while setting the scene and Miguel's character doesn't feel realistic or believable and that is a big drawback to the story and the movie.
Then after just five years in a mental asylum, he is released into his sister's custody. Once again this doesn't make much sense as their incestuous affair should have been the talk of the asylum as this is the supposed cause of his breakdown and subsequent murder spree. It's this and following inconsistencies in the story that make the movie less than it should be. The writer, Erich Tomek, who didn't want to put his name to it so used the pen name Rayo Casablanca, needed to tighten these elements up and the viewer would have gotten a much better film. That said, the twists are pretty good, shame they weren't managed better.
The other thing which lets the movie down is the lackluster direction by Jesus Franco, who has a pretty standard and average style. Again, some differing camera angles and a few artistic shots wouldn't have gone amiss to bring this movie out of its averageness.
The special effects are okay and passable, though not too realistic. The big stone cutting saw sequence is actually let down by how fake the decapitated head is; it's pretty close to being laughable.
If you like gory murder mysteries then you may like this though I wouldn't recommend rushing out to purchase a copy, however, if the chance comes up to watch it you could do worse.
Nuova Linea Cinematografica : Hallmark Releasing / Hokushin Audio Visual / Image Entertainment / Arrow Video / Cult Epics / Gorgon Video
8.25 / 10
Bay of Blood is listed as a Mystery, Horror, Thriller film. Well, two out of three ain't bad... this is NOT a horror film, it doesn't really fall into the Stalker genre either because at it's core is a solid Thriller and Mystery... just with lots of gore...
The opening sequence is a masterful exercise in creating atmosphere and tension as the director, Mario Bava, shows us the death of a wheelchair-bound woman. Bava gives the audience an uneasy feeling by hinting that something isn't quite right. The elderly woman wheels herself slowly to the window and looks out, though when she doesn't notice anything amiss she starts back into the house. Something catches her attention and she turns round towards the window once again. It's at this point she spots the noose... hands push her towards the awaiting death... as the rope tightens around her neck, somebody kicks her wheelchair away... This is shot in minimal light, though Bava makes sure it's not too dark giving the scene an eerie feeling. This is one of the better opening sequences I've seen in a movie as it immediately grabs the viewer and pulls them headlong into the story... Who is this woman? Why has she been murdered? Who murdered her? These questions get answered but are replaced with more mysteries in the course of the movie.
The writers, Franco Barberi and Dardano Sacchetti, and screenwriters, Filippo Ottoni, Giuseppe Zaccariello, and Mario Bava, have scripted a tight murder mystery. As grisly death after grisly death occurs the audience is wondering what is happening as four sightseers are slaughtered. Slowly, the killer's motives are exposed and revealed to the viewers, with a couple of twists in the tale. It's a very good story and I didn't really work out whodunnit until it was disclosed. This was fantastic for me as I usually work out the murderer and their motives well before the reveal.
The special effects are extraordinary, even today... there's one scene where one of the sightseers gets a machete to the face, though the kill shot is off camera the scene where the killer pulls it out of his victims head isn't. I must admit it's more than a little disturbing due to the reality of the effects.
I'm still not too sure about the ending though. I have a dark and morbid sense of humour so the finale made me smile, though I don't think it quite fits with the film. It also has a feeling of being added to try and give the story a moralistic finish.
Should you like murder mysteries then I would advise you to give this a viewing, though you have been warned about the goriness of some of the death scenes.
This has to be one of the strangest and artistic trailers I've ever seen, please give it a watch, though it gives very little away about how good the movie is.
ASA Productions : Scorpio Video / Something Weird Video
5.25 / 10
Now, this is the type of wonderfully bad B-Movie I like - It's glorious. Even the poster is superb in its ambiguity. Because what you get in this motion picture is a pretty decent whodunit with plenty of red herrings to keep the audience guessing.
Don't get me wrong, this is a bad movie. Shaky camera work, terrible direction, the acting ranges from poor to average, and the special effects at times are laughable. But in some strange way, this only adds to its likeability.
I should have hated it but just couldn't, because everybody who took part in the movie really did their best. Neil Flanagan who played Lawyer Dobbs is obviously much younger than his portrayed character, though this didn't stop him from doing his best with the part, even though the makeup people only covered his face in white talcum powder and put a raggedy old scarf over his head, to make him ancient.
What little budget they had for the film was spent on the few 1800's dresses. However, when they get frisky, especially Vicky (played pretty decently by Anne Linden), then they take to wearing see-through nylon teddy's.
The most endearing thing about the film is the feeling the actors being real-life friends who had an idea to make a movie.
This isn't the best but it does have heart. At least worth a viewing for all the lovers of bad movies. Who knows, maybe it will find a place in your heart.
Filmirage / Metaxa Corporaton : Medusa Pictures / Wizard Video
4.25 / 10
This is the Italian interpretation of John Carpenter's Halloween. Though, writer George Eastman (who also star's as Mikos Stenopolis) gives the killer a different backstory. It's this back story which places this film into the thriller genre rather than horror, Mikos had taken part in some drug trials which a priest was overwatching. These drugs gave Mikos' blood an ability to coagulate at a rapid rate. This makes him nearly invincible. Unfortunately, the drugs also drove him insane.
Mikos stumbles into town and when anybody crosses his path they are compensated with a grisly death.
There's not much else to the story and that's what makes the title of the movie so perfect. This is an absurd story and film.
There's also very little to love about the movie. The acting is average. Sadly the worst actors are the two leads. Annie Belle as Emily is okay for most of the picture but there are sometimes when she's wooden and stiff. Her best parts are when she's strapped up in traction. This isn't all her fault, her character isn't very well written. In fact, all of the characters seem to be run-of-the-mill and a little dull.
Even though George Eastman wrote the story he decided to give the villain, whom he portrayed, no words. Which may have been a good thing. Though Eastman didn't have to worry about fluffing his lines he didn't add much to the character but size... the man is huge. There were some scenes that could have added to the character. Even the great non-talkers, Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees, appear evil and psychologically broken; this comes down to how the actor carried himself, he let his body act. For example, one great scene from Halloween is when Michael lifts a teenager up and then pins him to a wall with a carving knife: As the man hangs there Michael watches silently, then cocks his head to one side; this little action speaks volumes. There's nothing like this in Absurd.
The special effects are passable though not great. This can also be said for Joe D'Amato direction. Even the music by Carlo Maria Cordio is similar in style to Carpenter's electronic soundtrack. For the majority of the movie this music is annoying, though surprisingly, it works really well with the end chase scene.
The climax of the movie is pretty decent and does give the audience an iconic shot, which sends a shiver down the spine and they will remember.
This isn't a classic movie and nowhere near to becoming a cult. If you like Halloween and Friday 13th then you could give this a look-see, it's worth at least one viewing.
European Incorporation : Hallmark Releasing / Blue Underground / Shameless Entertainment
6.5 / 10
This is Italy's version of Wes Craven's The Last House On The Left, though I have to say I prefer this film. For the main reason is there's no annoying music on this film. Also, it's more throughout and deeper in psychological content. The principles are the same, here you have two girls on their way out to the country for the Christmas holidays. While on the train they meet the two thugs, who have previously mugged a street Santa. Their attack is unbeknown to the girls so they are friendly with the two men. Though as the train travels further they become more wary of the pair and the blonde woman the men have met. When the train is stopped for a bomb search the girls hop off the train to board another. It's not until they're on the move that the girls realise the trio had hopped trains too. From here on in things get nasty, violent, and cruel.
It's these scenes that are the hardest to watch as they lead to the girl's deaths. However, this isn't where the movie stops It's the second half which treads on the unbelievable. The evil trio is picked up by the girl's parents. Who, when they realise what's happened, take their revenge. It's the coincidence of the group meeting that stretches the boundaries of reality.
That said, that incident is the only issue I have with the film.
It's Macha Meril as the lady on the train that gives this film a nasty and depraved edge. In the beginning, she appears to be a reserved nymphomaniac. Though when they start to torture and rape the girls she's the one who's controlling the thugs, even though she's only known them for a matter of hours. She is definitely twisted and coldly calculating. She stole the show.
Even though you know what's going to happen and you probably know how the film will end, the director Aldo Lado does a fantastic job of weaving a subtle and disturbing story into a watchable film with believable characters. It's nice that he doesn't go the exploitation route, especially in the torture sequences. The reality of the scenes really strengthens the film.
I cannot say I really enjoyed this film as some of the scenes are disturbing, both visually and psychologically. It is, however, truly watchable and does emote emotions. It is a film that I may watch again... though not for some time.
How could this film not be entertaining... Anita Ekberg plays a nun with a morphine addiction who likes to command her roommate Sister Mathieu and taunt her into a lesbian affair. As the morphine builds in her body and takes her mind into madness she starts to bully the patients in the Hospital, where she works as the head nurse. Then bodies start to pile up... and not from natural causes...
And moreover, the story comes from the Secret Files of the Vatican!
This is indeed an enjoyable mystery thriller, though you can easily figure out, or guess, the twist in the tale. Ekberg as Sister Gertrude does a passable, not great, portrayal of a morphine addict, and the rest of the cast is above average. It's the story, written by the director and Alberto Tarallo, along with the pace and style of the film, thanks to Director Giulio Berruti, which makes this so watchable.
There's so much happening and for most of the time, it verges on the ridiculous but somehow manages not to fall over that line. It's this which makes the film work for me. Not once did I even think about turning it off! In truth, I was so entertained I was glued to the screen and didn't notice or think of the runtime.
This is a wonderful waste of time. A true Schlock B-movie classic. I would recommend the film to all, especially if you're feeling down or having a bad day.
S2D Associates / Royal American Pictures : HBO Video / Thorn EMI Video
7.25 / 10
This is a truly bad film though it had a hypnotic effect on me... I just couldn't stop watching. This is an awesome film in its alarming subject matter. As a youngster, Billy Lynch is left with his Aunty Cheryl as his parents take a trip into the city. There's an accident and Billy's parents are killed so for the next fourteen years his Aunt takes care of him and brings him up. Then one day his Aunt kills a handyman who she claims tried to rape her. Billy affirms her story, though Detective Joe Carlson doesn't believe them. It's in the course of his investigation that things begin to unravel for Billy and Aunt Cheryl.
There are plenty of twists and turns in the story which keeps the viewer entertained and interested. Though it's the earnestness of the acting from Bo Svenson's portrayal of the over-the-top testosteroned bullish boor of a man in Detective Carlson that makes this unintentionally humorous and enthralling. I have known people who are homophobic, to the point of brutishness, but this character could be the archetype.
Then there's the wonderful Susan Tyrell who's maniacal and lunatic portrayal of Aunty Cheryl is skin-crawlingly bizarre and creepy.
As the film progressed and grew more florid I was surprised to see Julia Duffy and, one of my favourite actors, Bill Paxton appear. Julia Duffy does a good job as Billy's love interest Julia and is one of the main characters that aren't too unnatural. One of the strongest and realistic characters in the movie is that of the homosexual Coach Tom Landers. When viewed in respect to the homophobic actions of Carlson I thought we'd get to see more of Landers. It is actually a shame that we don't
This film is bad enough, weird enough, crazy enough, and strangely entertaining enough to be a cult film. If you have time to spare and like a film to fascinate and delight then this is one worth a watch. I loved it...
Lorimar Film Entertainment / Paramount Pictures / Resource Films : 20th Century Fox / Paramount Pictures / Warner Home Video
5.5 / 10
If you like slasher films then this one may take your fancy - it has an added bonus of having a decent mystery interwoven into it.
However, this movie suffers from what I call "The Fugitive" syndrome. I was looking forward to the film due to loving the series, however, in the first section, they introduce a character at a party. It's at this point I thought "He" did it... and he had. It's best, in a mystery, to not flag the villain in such an obvious way and that's what happens here, though they do try to muddy the water to confuse the audience.
The other stumbling block is that there's no real tension. The director, Ken Hughes, goes for the thrill route, which isn't a bad thing as it gives the audience the adrenalin rush, it could have been better had there been a build up to the rush.
This starts in the first sequence when a teacher's aid is tormented by a helmeted attacker. This is done by having the aid spun around on a round-a-bout while her assailant brandishes a knife, making stabs each time she passes.
In the morning, the aid is found decapitated in the school playground and the police investigation gets underway. There are plenty of suspects ranging from the lascivious male lecturer at the "women's only" night school, Vincent Millett (played by Drew Snyder) to the Dean of the school, Helene Griffin (played by Annette Miller), who is aware of Millett's extracurricular activities; however, she's more annoyed that he's getting more "bed" action than she is.
For the most part, the acting is of a high calibre, though it's Rachel Ward as Elenor who lets the film down. This is the main drawback of the film. Since she's one of the main characters her wooden acting, that makes her character two-dimensional and unbelievable, really hampers the flow and feel of the film.
If you didn't figure out The Fugitive then you might like this film as the mystery is pretty well handled and the twist at the end is a brilliantly thought out one, which follows matters mentioned in the film. If the Ruth Avergon story were in book form I'd be hunting it down right now as the story is the thing which makes this film.
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.
Canadian Film Development Corporation / Filmplan / Victor Solnicki Productions : 20th Century Fox / Anchor Bay Entertainment / Shout Factory
8 / 10
I was surprised as I sat viewing this film to realise I had seen it before... Evidently, back in 1989, ITV had shown the uncut version of the movie. I find it amazing that I could remember the film so clearly after twenty-eight years.
Though I remembered the movie it never lessened the enjoyment of watching it again. Notwithstanding the passage of years, this film is still strong and relevant today.
Lee Grant plays Deborah Ballin a news reporter who is campaigning for better rights for abused women. While on her television show, Colt Hawker, played menacingly and darkly by Michael Ironside, watches with growing disdain for in his world women should know their place. He takes it upon himself to send Ballin a message by killing her. He fails dismally, leaving her wounded. Her death now becomes his mission. He starts to stalk the hospital where she's receiving medical attention and the bodies start to stack up - and not due to natural causes.
What the director, Jean-Claude Lord (Second Chances - reviewed on this blog & Secrets of the Summer House - to be reviewed), gives the audience is an above par slasher film, with a nice psychological thriller twist. It's superior to others in the genre as it gives a credible back story to the psychopathic killer, which in turn adds a chill because it shows he's not a monster, just a man.
Lord gives the audience a roller coaster ride as he speeds up the action and slows down for tension and suspense. The use of a more natural light is a bonus for the viewers when most of these films hide everything in the darkness of shadows, Lord shows you the menace at all times. This is a good thing as Ironside does a wonderful portrayal of Hawker, who is a chameleon... a man of many differing faces, though a madman under the skin.
I really liked the fact that Nurse Sheila Munroe, veritably portrayed by Linda Purl, doesn't let too much get to her. As a nurse, she's used to seeing death and dead people, though not murder victims. This is shown through her reactions, she doesn't scream uncontrollably, she is shocked but remains in control of herself. She is a good strong female character.
It's Ballin that loves to scream and flail about and this is the only downside to the movie. I know it's strange, I love slasher films but cannot abide screaming. What I cannot abide is unnecessary screaming. For the most part, when faced with something indescribably terrible most people will utter expletives rather than scream, come on directors lets keep it real.
If you like slasher psychopaths on a rampage then this is a movie for your delectation.
After watching the film I can understand how it made the Video Nasty list; the director, Matt Cimber, chose to show Molly's sexual abuse at the hands of her father, who was mentally unstable. Though most of these scenes are shot well and the abuse is suggested, sometimes very subtly. It's the pivotal scene which is the most disturbing. Robert Thom, the writer who also wrote Death Race 2000, added a nasty twist at this point. It adds to the reason why Molly is so broken. Cimber does tone it down a little but couldn't remove the scene entirely as, like I said, it's pivotal and adds to the story and character of Molly; it clarifies a lot of things for the audience.
That said, the film is felicitous and unfortunately still relevant today. The film starts on the beach as Molly is babysitting her sister's children, Tad and Tripoli. As she tells her nephews the stories of her seafaring father, their grandfather, she watches the men on the muscle beach, drinking in every inch of their bodies, She drifts off into a daydream where they all die.
As the film progresses Molly keeps fading in and out of daydreams where the men in mind die, most in gruesome ways. Then one morning she wakes up in her on-again-off-again lover's bed as he shakes her awake to tell her that two famous football players have been murdered. One of her killer daydreams were of her sexual and murderous encounter. This startles her but doesn't trouble her.
As the dreams keep coming, as do the deaths, the police start to close in on her just as she and her friends start to believe she's the killer.
Now, this is the strange thing for all but the last murder her dreams came before the murder, whereas the last killing is her dream - it occurs at the same time. Apart from the last death you never see her commit them in her real life, just in her dreams. This makes the film feel disjointed and I was left wondering if she really did carry them out or if some other force was at work.
Along with the memories of her abuse, which also appear in dreamlike sequences the entire film has an abstract impression. This, in turn, gives the film more depth and power. I'm not one for flashbacks and the like as they inevitably make a movie feel cluttered and sometimes incomprehensible. So respect due to Cimber for making so many work comprehensibly to strengthen the story and film.
Millie Perkins, known for playing Anne Frank, does a splendid job of playing down her troubled past, though you can see the effects working free on her face. You know she's troubled but not to what extent.
Lonny Chapman, who plays the bar-owner and on-again-off-again lover, is brilliant as the man who truly loves her and is worried for her but just cannot really help her.
There is so much in this film to like, I just wished that Cimber and Thom had gone for a more paranormal explanation for the murders since it appears impossible for her to have carried out a couple of them. It may have made the film cleaner. Even the poster, which when you first look at it emanates an exploitation vibe, is pretty true to the film and pulls images from a mermaid tattoo, Birth Of Venus by Botticelli, and her feelings towards men and her father. The images are featured in the movie and once you see them the poster makes better sense.
Though I liked the film it did feel more like an art-house film than a thriller, though if you like revenge movies you may like this. Just be warned, it may leave a nasty taste in your mouth, thanks to the aforementioned abuse scenes and the end sequence.
