Maniac (1980)

[Joshg]

Joe Spinell starred as Frank Zito, crazed MANIAC on the loose in the city, stalking women for their scalps to place on his mannequins. And all the while, his mother torments him. (or so he thinks)

Watch for Caroline Munro making an appearance as a photographer; love interest of Mr Zito.

Personally, I loved it. 8/10. It was sick, dirty, and plotless. Things good slashers need. :)


PS, once again I add another poll. If people see that a film gets high of low marks, then they'll know whether to check it out! Woo! Go polls!

[Denzil]

The scene with Tom Savini getting his head blown off was awesome. Overall, i enjoyed this film.

[sCabbOy]

4 stars.

I would have given it 5, but there are a lot of unnecessary scenes in the movie.

[Ron]

I'd have to say that this is a 5 star slasher. Savini's gore effects were great and the bathroom scene in the subway was really intense.

[sCabbOy]

I'd have to say that this is a 5 star slasher. Savini's gore effects were great and the bathroom scene in the subway was really intense.

One of the best kills in any Savini movie. Not only the kill, but the lead up was excellent.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I gave it 5 stars. Maniac is one of my all-time favorites. :)

I agree about the subway scene. That was a REALLY intense scene. The build up to that kill was amazing.....and the actual kill was great too. I'd have to say that's probably one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

The infamous scene in the car is one of Savini's greatest effects, IMO. I won't spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen this yet.

The Blue Underground DVD is great. Has alot of special features. I have this on VHS as well. :)

[Ron]

I think I might have to get the blue underground version.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

It has a feature on Joe Spinell....."The Joe Spinell Story". It's about 50 minutes or so. I actually haven't watched it yet, lol.

It also has commentary with Savini and William Lustig.....I think there are 2 others on it too. But I never watch the commentaries.

There are interviews with Savini, William Lustig, and Caroline Munro.

There are trailers, still galleries, etc. It's definitely worth it. :)

[sCabbOy]

Speaking of Spinell, anyone like The Last Horror Movie? It stars Spinnell and Caroline Munro. I love that movie it's as twisted as Maniac, with the same sort of story in a way.

Some funny scenes though... Spinnell's character has a problem with obsessing over Hollywood actresses and strippers. One scene he imagines himself in a 2 piece bikini on stage dancing. To see him with that on, his big ass belly dancing is priceless.

[Ron]

Speaking of Spinell, anyone like The Last Horror Movie? It stars Spinnell and Caroline Munro. I love that movie it's as twisted as Maniac, with the same sort of story in a way.

Some funny scenes though... Spinnell's character has a problem with obsessing over Hollywood actresses and strippers. One scene he imagines himself in a 2 piece bikini on stage dancing. To see him with that on, his big ass belly dancing is priceless.

haha, that sounds awesome, but I probably would want to watch that on an empty stomach!

[MaDMaNMaRz]

Speaking of Spinell, anyone like The Last Horror Movie? It stars Spinnell and Caroline Munro. I love that movie it's as twisted as Maniac, with the same sort of story in a way.

Some funny scenes though... Spinnell's character has a problem with obsessing over Hollywood actresses and strippers. One scene he imagines himself in a 2 piece bikini on stage dancing. To see him with that on, his big ass belly dancing is priceless.

Yeah, I like The Last Horror Film. It's alot more campy, but I enjoy it. That scene you mentioned is downright hilarious. :lol:

It's also interesting because Spinell's actual mother played a role in the movie. She actually was pretty good too.

[sCabbOy]

Yeah, she played his mother in it, right?

The movie is indeed campy but very easy to take seriously. There's intentional humor in it (like the scene I mentioned) as well as brut violence. Definitely not as bloody as Maniac, but just as violent.

[kramerfan]

I love this one.Joe Spinell is brilliant and very underrated actor.Sad he died too young.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

Yeah, she played his mother in it, right?

The movie is indeed campy but very easy to take seriously. There's intentional humor in it (like the scene I mentioned) as well as brut violence. Definitely not as bloody as Maniac, but just as violent.

If I remember correctly, she did. It's been a while since i've seen it. :(

kramerfan - Yeah, Joe is great. I personally think is role as Frank Zito was his best ever.

[French Friday]

3 stars. The subway scene was great, as well as the one with the car and the famous death scene talked above. Many scenes in that movie are very suspensful and scary. The deaths are great. The cinematography and the score are great too. Very 70s/80s too.

So why only 3 stars ? Because it's not a fun movie. It's a sad movie. The kind who gives me desires of suicide. I have it on VHS but don't want to watch it again. Kinda like Last House on the Left. I hate desperate movies like this. I love them for their quality, the first watching is always very impressive and I love that. But I hate them because I wanna have fun when I watch a movie and I can't watch them again because they are too depressive for my taste.

[nottidelterrore]

I gave it 5 stars. A great slasher film. Probably Joe Spinell's best role. He played Frank perfectly & I almost thought Joe himself was Frank sans the killer of course. Disco Boy's shot to the head was probably the most well-done headshot I've ever seen.

The first time I saw this, I wanted to take a shower afterwards. It's a grimy, sleazy flick. I also love Jay Chattaway's synth score.

[Joshg]

The first time I saw this, I wanted to take a shower afterwards.

OMG! Me too! It's so dirty. You feel like you've rolled around in dirt, blood, and kitty litter.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I gave it 5 stars. A great slasher film. Probably Joe Spinell's best role. He played Frank perfectly & I almost thought Joe himself was Frank sans the killer of course. Disco Boy's shot to the head was probably the most well-done headshot I've ever seen.

The first time I saw this, I wanted to take a shower afterwards. It's a grimy, sleazy flick. I also love Jay Chattaway's synth score.

I completely agree with you. I definitely think it's a 5 star movie. Joe was brilliant in it.....his best role IMO as well.

Haha, yeah, Maniac was definitely a sleazy film. One reason I loved it. :D

[Patrick]

I have been contemplating whether to get this DVD of Maniac or not. Now, I love 70's and 80's horror immensely. But, I watched the trailer on YouTube the other day and, I have to admit, the trailer looks painfully hokey.
It reminds me of Don't Answer The Phone!....I got this movie (DATP) off of eBay for about $4. I watched it with a friend the other night and, let's just say, after it was over, I honestly didn't know WHAT to think about it. My friend and I just looked at each other. The trailer made it seem like the killer calls you and if you answer the phone, he will know you are home alone (or atleast home) and he stalks and kills in that fashion. But it is NOTHING like that. I didn't hate it.....it is just extremely.....I don't know.

Anyway, to the guys and gals who have seen them both, is Maniac better than Don't Answer The Phone!?

[MaDMaNMaRz]

Anyway, to the guys and gals who have seen them both, is Maniac better than Don't Answer The Phone!?

Oh yeah, Maniac is WAY better than DATP, IMO. Joe Spinell was just brilliant as Frank Zito. The kills/gore were really good too, courtesy of Tom Savini. :) It's definitely a sleazy film. :D

I highly recommend it.

[Patrick]

Cool. I'll have to get it.

Frank Zito. Sounds like a mix between Frank Mancuso Jr. and Joseph Zito.

[The Dream Master]

SS, the character "Frank Zito" was indeed named after Joseph Zito.

[Patrick]

Well, I am smarter than I realized....lol. That doesn't happen very often.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I still watch my SE VHS quite a bit. It has some footage from Maniac 2: Mr. Robbie, which you can find online.

[Ron]

Mr.Robbie...I get teary eyed thinking of what could have been.

[sCabbOy]

Has anyone seen "Last Horror Film" with Joe Spinnell? It also has Caroline Munro. It's a great movie about a guy obsessed with a hollywood actress. There's an amazing part of the movie where Joe Spinnell's character is watching a nude dancer in a club and he fantasizes that it's him on the stage. It shows him in a pair of woman's undies and a bra pole dancing and shit. I swear that part always makes me laugh.

[Ron]

I've heard a lot about this, but I have yet to see it. I really dig Joe Spinnell though.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I've seen it, scab. It was quite awhile ago. I don't own it yet.

I know that Joe Spinell's mom actually played his mother in that movie, lol. I remember it being decent, but nothing spectacular.

[sCabbOy]

It's really not an amazing movie, but Joe again plays a Maniac type character and does it really well. Yes his mother does play in it.

[nottidelterrore]

Joe Spinell was a pretty good actor. I wish he could've shone(is that the past tense of shine?) more in movies.

RIP Joe Spinell

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I agree. Joe was a great actor.

Actually, I don't think there is a past tense for shine. I think you would just say shined.

[The Dream Master]

Both shone and shined are acceptable, but I personally think shined sounds better. :p

Anyway, this is a sleazy little flick and features one of the great effects shots ever (the shotgun scene).

[Ron]

I agree DM..Savini at his best.

[kramerfan]

I had The Last Horror Film on dvd a couple years back but never even finished it before i sold it.I need to give it another shot.

[nottidelterrore]

Anyway, this is a sleazy little flick and features one of the great effects shots ever (the shotgun scene).

I agree. That's probably my favourite head explosion ever filmed. Brutal as hell. Savini shooting himself(he's the one who pulled the trigger).

[Ron]

It's pretty seamless too. I believe some of the footage of the city that was shot from a helicopter was actually footage that Dario Argento shot for Inferno, but decided not to use it because the camera was too unsteady.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I heard about that, Peter.

I've always loved that "maniac killer on the gritty streets of NYC vibe". The Driller Killer and The New York Ripper were like that too, but this is sooooo much better.

[Ron]

The Driller Killer did have a very gritty feel too it. Strange as it sounds, I always thought that the killer had an almost likable quality about him.

[The Dream Master]

I've always loved that "maniac killer on the gritty streets of NYC vibe".

Good call. I know it's not a horror film, but one of my favorite films is Taxi Driver, and it really captures this well. This might explain why I enjoy Maniac so much. And I still can't wait to finally see New York Ripper in a couple of months.

[sCabbOy]

I generally don't like slasher movies that take place in the city, mainly because it's hard to have a good, believable slasher fin in a populated environment. However, the way Maniac was written and directed it was more than believable. Some of the SFX in the movie did look bad though, however most of the deaths were well done. The one part I hated was Frank's head getting ripped off. I always felt that looked really bad.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I agree about Frank's head rip at the end, scab. It look incredibly fake. All of the other deaths were very well done, definitely.

[Lance Lives]

It's cool to see him in Taxi Driver as well actually.

[Ron]

The subway bathroom scene in Maniac had me on the edge of my seat the first time i ever saw it.

[The Dream Master]

It's cool to see him in Taxi Driver as well actually.

That's right! I knew I was associating Maniac with Taxi Driver for some reason.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

The subway bathroom scene in Maniac had me on the edge of my seat the first time i ever saw it.

Me too. That scene was so well done, and suspenseful.

[nottidelterrore]

The subway bathroom scene in Maniac had me on the edge of my seat the first time i ever saw it.

That's probably my favourite scene in the entire movie. One of the most suspense-filled scenes that I've ever watched.

And Frank's head at the end is so blatantly fake & bad looking. Haha.

[sCabbOy]

Yeah the subway sequence (all start to end) was well done, tense and brutal.

[kramerfan]

Love the subway scene.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

I'd have to say that's my favorite scene in the entire movie as well.

[Joshg]

And mine too. That scene felt so...stalkerish.

[Ron]

It also felt like it lasted for an eternity.

[nottidelterrore]

To me, it felt almost real. The tension was amazing.

[TalbotLives]

I love Maniac. The gritty, sleazy atmosphere makes this movie for me...gives it a very realistic vibe. And yes, that subway scene was INTENSE.

The strongest scene in the film for me, though, is near the beginning, where Frank kills the hooker in the motel room, especially his puking and blubbering once she's dead. Pretty disturbing stuff, really sets it apart from other slashers from that era.

[Ron]

I agree Talbot...It's a very uncomfortable scene and is well acted.

[kramerfan]

This film is great

[Patrick]

Ok guys and gals.....I have never seen this movie. I have been wanting to buy the DVD forever now but I havent. Now, that Blue Underground is putting it out on Blu-ray, I am seriously thinking of getting it. The trailer for it...looks a little silly though. I know you can't always judge by a film's trailer but, I just wanted to get your thoughts. Is it a serious movie? The killer just looks kinda hokey.....now....as I said, I am deriving that from the trailer.

Anyone?

[The Dream Master]

It's an extremely serious movie. There's really nothing funny about it. It's not quite as sleazy as The New York Ripper (which I find to be superior), but it's certainly not filled with laughs.

[Patrick]

I have never seen The New York Ripper either. Have I been missing out? I have been wanting some good old school horror to watch lately but I can't think of any.

[The Dream Master]

Blue Underground just re-released New York Ripper. It's an...interesting flick. It and Maniac usually get compared because they feature killers in New York. Ripper is more of a giallo, but Maniac actually follows the killer. Both are different enough, though. I'd say both are essential views for any horror fan.

[Patrick]

Ok cool. I will have to check them out.

[nottidelterrore]

Joe Spinell does an amazing job at Frank Zito in Maniac.

[Jigsaw]

I saw this years ago on IFC but need to see it again to give an opinion as my memory of it is pretty vague. I remember the shotgun blast to the head and ending kill scenes pretty well, though :evil:

[girlychaos]

That movie has been on my list for a while now. I've only heard good things about it...hopefully I'll get it soon.

[Joshg]

Maniac is about the most serious a horror film can get, IMO.
Although, from what I recall, there's no nudity, you still have that sleazy feeling as if you've just watched bloodsoaked porn. Really weird. Maybe it's cuz Spinell slightly resembles Ron Jeremy? :P

[nottidelterrore]

I can recall at least one scene of nudity involving the character of Rita(I think that's her).

I can't praise the subway stalk enough. That scene is one of the most suspenseful scenes I've ever watched.

[God of Thunder]

I think it's an excellent one. Joe was such an underrated actor. The head explosion and the ending kick major ass.

[MaDMaNMaRz]

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Grindhouse Releasing, the company that brought you THE EVIL DEAD, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, PIECES and Duke Mitchell's GONE WITH THE POPE, has partnered with director Bill Lustig of Blue Underground to present Mr. Lustig's controversial horror classic MANIAC in theaters across North America.

MANIAC stars Joe Spinell (ROCKY, THE GODFATHER, TAXI DRIVER) as Frank Zito, a deeply disturbed man haunted by the traumas of unspeakable childhood abuse. When these horrific memories begin to scream inside his mind, Frank prowls the seedy streets of New York City to stalk and slaughter innocent young women. Even as he begins a relationship with a beautiful photographer (Caroline Munro of THE SPY WHO LOVED ME), Frank continues to act on his vile compulsions. The film holds nothing back in depicting the atrocities of a human monster.

The new release of MANIAC begins Oct. 29 & 30 at the Egyptian Theatre in Seattle. Mr. Lustig will introduce screenings in Los Angeles (Nov. 5, Nuart Theatre) and New York (Landmark's Sunshine, Nov. 19 & 20.)

For the full listing of screenings, click HERE! (http://www.grindhousereleasing.com/theatrical.html)

It doesn't look like they're really bringing any of the showings to Illinois. :( I'd love to see Maniac in theaters. In addition to Maniac, they're also screening The Beyond, City of the Living Dead, Cannibal Holocaust, Cannibal Ferox, and a few more.

[God of Thunder]

God DAMN it, what the FUCK is up with these fucking film fests and their ignorance of Mississippi? This is total fucking shitcum!!!!

[Ron]

Damn, no luck for me either. Would have been a great experience to see this in the theater.