Atmospheric chiller from Pete Walker!
If you have never seen one of Pete Walker's films, you are really missing out on something.
Although not Pete Walker's best film, SCHIZO (1976) bears the winning trademarks of this unusual director/producer: highly atmospheric settings (especially the seedy and depressed aspect of England of the 70's), characters disturbed by confused memories of childhood trauma, and a slow-paced plot line that accelerates near the end of the film to a strange and twisted endpoint.
The acting is SCHIZO is (for a horror chiller) very good. The screenplay (by David McGillivray) is quite excellent, as is the photography .
Unfortunately, the print offered by IMAGE is produced from a well-worn original -the picture quality is marred by noticable fading in colour and "pitted" images, especially in the first several "reels".
As is standard with the EUROSHOCK COLLECTION, there are no extras. However, given the visceral substance of the film itself, the DVD is highly recommended...
Giallo-style shocker rewards patience
SCHIZO
(UK - 1976)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Theatrical soundtrack: Mono
SCHIZO is a giallo-style shocker from British director Pete Walker (HOUSE OF WHIPCORD, FRIGHTMARE), which offers an appropriately convoluted plot allied to a series of brutal killings by person or persons unknown. The marriage of ice-skating star Samantha Gray (Lynne Frederick, from VAMPIRE CIRCUS) to Alan Falconer (former pop singer John Leyton) attracts the unwelcome attentions of a shadowy figure from Frederick's past, a convicted murderer (Jack Watson) recently paroled from prison. When his apparent stalking of Frederick prompts a series of vicious murders, old secrets begin tumbling into the light of day, culminating in all manner of bloodshed and mayhem...
Though SCHIZO is a little more conventional than Walker's previous outings ("It was less Gothique...I wanted less incident and outrage," he explained), it still manages to deliver the goods, even if it takes...
Slasher/Giallo Offering from Great Britan
Some movies get too much recognition while others don't get enough. "Schizo", falls into the latter category.
Released in 1976...sandwiched between "Black Christmas" [74]& Halloween [78]Regrettably, this film is constantly overlooked as a forerunner to the American Slasher. Not to mention, having Italian Giallo trademarks
as well.
Regarding it's slasher/gialli pedigree,it's all here. Red herrings, childhood trauma, sexual transgressions and of course the violent death scenes! The killings are all pretty brutal..one scene in particular is an inspired "Jason/Friday the 13th" piece of work...5 years ahead of the game, mind you.
Performances from all the leads whilst not outstanding are competent.
On the downside,"Schizo", has some moments where the pace could pick a bit but not to the point of total boredom.
"Schizo", is more than a "body count" film with senseless and endless annoying teenagers waiting to get offed. Hopefully, this...
Click to Editorial Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment