Maniac [DVD]

This one bursts out the gates with two pretty graphic murders, and is evenly punctuated with some full-on eye-opening, jaw-dropping gore throughout. Once scene in particular had me completely shocked – which is a total rarity. Joe Spinell puts in a top shift as the unhinged lead; switching from feral, deranged and demented through to normal, vulnerable, childlike, and charming. The audio helps emphasise the unsettling vibes the movie gives, with creepy internal dialogue and an off-kilter synth/electro track for tension building. It’s visually strange too, with creepy mannequins, seedy New York locations, and a bizarrely open ended finale.Put this all together and you have a film that’s way above the standard of the genre, and arguably beyond the taste of other slashers from this era. Dark, completely bonkers, and still genuinely shocking 35 years on; Maniac is a thoroughbred slasher film that’s difficult to enjoy, easy to appreciate – but ultimately hard to recommend to anyone that doesn’t like video nasties.Score: 7.5/10

Its a classic Slasher horror movie .it's just over 84 mins and not the 87mins stated. however its uncut . another to had to my nasties and my 1000 horror collection my only moan is you can not take the subtitles off even though it states they optional. that's why i have not given it a 5 star .having said that it doesn't ruin movie if you can forget about them. I have also got the Anchor Bay version with 58 seconds cut .so not too bothered really.this review is for the 2 disc DVD Another world Entertainment. Seller prompt delivery.

THE best slasher of all time if you ask me, this gnarly, sick, twisted classic is available here from the guys at Blue Underground fully uncut, in all its nice and nasty glory. A great release of a truly disturbing piece of cinema, made all the more realistic by impressive camera work and attention to detail. We feel like the voyeur, the whole time feeling bad and guilty for actually watching it unfold. One to make you want a shower after viewing, to wash it away from your mind. As I say, great release, impressive extras, including the Joe Spinell story. As always, if you are in the UK, check out this release, R1, forget about any others. Our friends across the pond have done us proud here, this DVD contains the ONLY version worth watching and owning. Now you can see the true Godfather of Gore at his most magnificent, with razor sharp visual clarity. Accept no other print, this is the grand daddy of what is probably 'the most relentlessly depraved' and depressing horror film ever made. Just how it's meant to be.

One of the best slasher movies from the early years of the genre (1978 - 1981), as Friday 13th, The Prowler, The Burning, Prom Night, and of course, the influential Halloween. Bloody, violent, pessimistic, sick, anyway, an example of strong direction, coming from the independent film view, almost at the foot of Abel Ferrara's 1979 Driller Killer movie. The issue of Blu-underground brings interesting extras, including the story that the movie would have been an inspiration to an infamous musical picture of the middle 80s. There is nothing to complain for the picture image, very clear, highlighting the bright red of the blood gushed in torrents. For anyone who is a fan of the original period slasher genre, Maniac is a mandatory film, and yet, now that released on blu-ray, brings a new perspective on a film with such a prolific period when the first half of the 80s. Without a shadow of doubt: BUY NOW.

And yes,it's reg 0,Blue Underground release,along with so many classics they(and increasingly other labels)are releasing BRs and DVDs reg 0,it's worth double checking with seller as often they are given the perfuncionary reg 1(Zone A) in listing along with other import discs,but check first.Maniac is a classic,very much in tone if not content of the later,admittedly more brutal Henry:Portait Of a Serial Killer.Maniac still packs a punch though,it's grim and at points very painful to watch,although showing women getting brutally murdered then subsequently being scalped is never going to be tasteful no matter how it's represented.It's a film that still divides opinion and today's torture porn watching youngsters may be less than impressed but it is much grimmer and darker and more disturbing than today's vacuous Saw or Hostel mindless drivel that horrify by how flaccid and pointless they are,at least the Friday the 13th type of slashers are often unintentionally funny!.Joe Spinell is brilliant as the maniac killer Frank Zeto.Lot's of extras,inc a superb 50 min documentary on the late Joe Spinell,interviews with Caroline Munroe and Savini and some great reaction&news footage with feminists circa 1980 stereotypicaly marching around with"DOWN WITH THIS EVIL FILM!"placards,and 2 alternate audio commentaries(which I haven't got round to listening to yet but I'm sure they are good!)with director William Lustig(who is in both commentaries),Tom Savini and the producer and editor.The transfer,to me,looks excellent,retaining a slight grain that is in keeping with the films of that age yet looks fresh,an excellent package from Blue Underground.