Madman

I think that a complete guide of the slasher subgenre it's almost impossible to write: because of its very simple&cheap formula, a lot of movie have been produced since the beginning of the 80s.

Among these, one of the earliest and most appreciable is MADMAN by Giannone, which is a very honest low-budget flick with some variations from the original (Cunningham's) model and a more fairy-tale oriented atmosphere (the nominal villain really looks like an ogre). Of course, as many other similar features, it has its flaws - acting, for example - but that's not what you seek from such kind of movies. The special effects are pretty well done and they're obtained with very simple solutions. Giannone's style is good, especially in the use of deep focus and the cinematography is genuinely inventive (the green painted leaves!). Eventually, it's better than many others.

Madman is nowhere near as good as some would have you believe, but it does have a slow, creepy atmosphere. The one bit that I will always remember is when you see Madman's silhouette in the trees. That one shot of him alone saves this from being just a regular boring slasher film. It creeps you out enough so that the rest of the film seems ever more creepier as he stalks around the woods killing everyone off. There are plenty of dull moments including a love scene used for padding, and a lot of the time you will be waiting for something to happen. There is a hilarious scene where one of the girls hides herself inside a refrigerator. The ending somewhat spoils the creepiness that had been built up throughout, as we get to see Madman in full light and he just looks like a regular person in a rubber mask. It just goes to show how it's better to leave such things to the imagination.

This is an essential film for any slasher fan, but beware, it's only for those able to tolerate a slower paced slasher.

This hasn't any originality, but its decently constructed mood of fear and larger-than-life villain makes it one of the best of the many FRIDAY THE 13TH ripoffs of the '80s. A story whispered round a campfire tells of old "Madman Marz", a local farmer who, for no reason at all, went nuts and killed his own family one day. He was caught and done in by a lynch mob but his body disappeared and the locals believe he's still out there somewhere haunting the woods. It is said that if anyone goes near his old empty farmhouse and says his name aloud, the old coot will come out and murder anybody he can get his clawed, wrinkled old hands on. Of course some idiot goes to the property, calls out his name and dares Madman Marz to come kill his fellow campers. Naturally the ornery old reprobate obliges, stomping out of the dark forest growling in rage and armed with various sharp objects to bump off the cast. Madman Marz, a disfigured, overweight old ghoul with a long beard and most of his nose missing, is a frightening creation and the merciless cruelty with which he dispatches innocent bystanders is appropriately shocking. Gaylen Ross of DAWN OF THE DEAD and CREEPSHOW is the main star, billed as Alexis Dubin. Again, there's not much imagination here, but good lighting and professional camerawork keep things watchable and it must be admitted that, in the end, the nice, simple, spooky summertime slasher movie does succeed in being creepy and suspenseful often enough to make it of at least marginal interest. It ain't high art, but it is pretty scary.... and that's what horror movies are supposed to be, right?

The last night of Summer Camp finds a group of badly-dressed pubescent teens and over-sexed counselors deep in the woods telling ghost stories by the fireside. A story is told about a local farmer (Marz) who decided it was rather appropriate to hack his family to pieces while they slept in their beds. After discovering this, the locals hung Marz from a tree-branch and left him for dead. However, his body disappeared and now it is said that when his name is uttered, he appears and randomly hacks around for a while.

From here, a story emerges about a psycho killer, aptly named Madman Marz who likes wielding various sharp, heavy implements - chiefly an axe. You always know when madman's about to hack into someone because you hear the creepy bars of music that closely resembles "dow dow dow...eheheheheheh".

The film is straight from the teen horror text book and features the obligatory hot tub scene (featuring a man with a rather strange belly button and a buxom blonde ripe for a horror film hacking). Despite some inane killing, Marz shows true compassion when saving characters with a bad 70s/80s 'do from additional shame and embarrassment by mashing their head right into a car's engine and jamming the bonnet down on their shaggy mess of hair (that's one shonky sounding starter motor).

While it won't win any awards for originality, you have to admire the simple fun that Madman offers. Whether it be watching the "special" campers get separated and randomly massacred in the woods or the screaming blonde try to hide in a refrigerator, there is no doubt that Madman is a very under-stated horror classic.

A slick attempt at a slasher with very impressive night photography.

Madman Marz, the film's killer, is a local legend made flesh who kills a bunch of wimpy teens and their counselors.

Joe Giannone's direction of the suspense sequences and ground level camerawork is a cut above. The storyline is serviceable but predictable. The acting ain't worth more than a line.

But do check out the film's night photography. Usually I hate night scenes because they're so poorly illuminated. Not so here. Some very stylish set-ups and artful compositions.

Memorable, thumpy score, too.