Maniac [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Film & TV

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English
Region 2

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

3.7 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Effective shocker. But is it entertainment?, 7 Nov 2005

By

Cartimand (Hampshire, UK.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Maniac [DVD] (DVD)

Bill Lustig coaxed a lifetime-great performance from Joe Spinell in the compelling, but thoroughly unpleasant gore-fest that is Maniac.

Whilst the blood 'n guts in a Romero or Fulcio horror is so OTT as to provide comedy value as well as shocks, the gore in Maniac feels so real (courtesy of Tom Savini in expert form) as to make the viewer feel uncomfortably like a guilty voyeur at the scene of something exceedingly nasty.

As an insight into a profoundly troubled mind and the shocking consequences of horrific childhood abuse (more hinted at than explained), Maniac also works pretty well. It cleverly treds the fine line between the viewer understanding what has made Frank Zito (Spinell) into the monster he became, whilst never sympathising with the appalling acts he commits.

Somewhat surprisingly for a low-budget movie in the gore-fest/video nasty category, Maniac is rather well acted. Spinell himself is scarily believable. The actress (sorry not sure of her name) in the extended toilet scene gives one of the most convincing depictions of utter terror ever seen. Whilst it is perhaps a little far fetched that anyone could fall for the dubious charms of Frank Zito, Caroline Munro plays a blinder as the beautiful, talented (if somewhat naive) photographer.

So, in my humble opinion, it is the sheer realism and honesty of Maniac that makes it work. On the occasions when it descends into more a supernatural horror style (including one scene in the cemetary ripped unashamedly from Carrie, and the final scene with the mannequins) its potency becomes diluted.

Enough quibling though. Fans of the genre will surely acknowledge Maniac as a very effective and truly disturbing horror movie.

The DVD is reasonably well-equipped. The remastered picture quality and sound are as good as you'd expect, the documentary about Spinell is fascinating and poignant, the director's commentary is insightful and amusing, and the critics' outraged reviews are hilarious.

Be warned though; you will probably feel like you need a bath after watching Maniac!

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Slasher, 23 May 2011

By

P. Lockwood (Wales) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Maniac (1980) (Uncut 2 Disc Special Edition) (Region 2) (Import) (DVD)

This review relates to the imported Region 2 edition. This edition is uncut. As slasher films go this is probably on the more depressing side. AWE have done a great job adding DTS sound and cleaned the picture up as much as possible. Avoid the UK release as it is trimmed by about 1 minute. Well worth a watch!

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars prepare yourself, 6 Nov 2003

By

"ninja69" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maniac [DVD] (DVD)

WOW! this is quite a movie. incredibly graphic and violent, this film takes the serial killing genre to the limits, and does it brilliantly. Right from the opening killing you know this film isnt for the light-hearted. The murder scenes are dramatic and very well filmed in order to stir fear in the audience, which they certainly do. 3 of my friends wouldnt carry on watching after the shotgun/car scene!
The tension that is built is also excellent, In my opinion the subway scene is one of if not the best build up to a murder in any film - cliqued but brilliant none-the-less.
The murderer is characterised well. The film follows his perverse mind, confusion and turmoil in a chilling way.

Brilliant film, be warned - thick-skinned adults only.

a fiver says it will scare the living �&$! outta u!

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