Prime Suspect

Not really a flick you'd remember 5 minutes after the final credits. Do not be fooled by the insane user-rating here. Think 5.7 and thats being generous.

Vaguely along the lines of HITCH HIKER but with neither the budget or the talent! Billy Drago's girlfriend is disgustingly butchered while camping in the wilds, by a masked psycho who has obviously watched too many Jason Voorhees movies. The Police are sceptical to say the least as to his explanation of his girlfriend's demise. Stricken almost dumb with shock initially, he finds a willing ear in psychiatrist Celia Warren (Susan Strasbourg).

The denouement reveals not only that Sly Stallone is the best actor in his family but that Doug McClure is also long past his use-by date. One of the most amateurish of final death-scenes you will ever see. Its almost worth watching.

I'm surprised four people have actually seen this. But since one of the other "reviewers" has incorrect information and since the IMDb has incorrect information, let's set the record straight. There is ONE director credited on this film, not two - that director is Mark Rutland, who doesn't seem to be listed on this page (see below for more about Mr. Rutland). One of the directors listed on this page, named Thomas Constantinides was indeed the director when the film began principal photography. He was fired one week into shooting because the producers realized that a) he was bad and didn't know how to shoot a movie and b) his footage would not even cut together.

The producers, in a panic, turned to a friend, Bruce Kimmel, to take over. This he did after having watched the dailies during the day - then coming in that night and taking over. In other words, a moment's notice. Of course there was not much to be done about the horrible script, written by Thomas Constantinides - all that could be done was to actually get the picture finished, which he did. It was he who shot the effective opening that someone here liked. The terrible scenes in the mental institution are 99% Thomas Constantinides' contribution to the film. His footage amounts to about twelve minutes of the running time. Mr. Kimmel, who is credited here on the IMDb did the film under a pseudonym, Mark Rutland (the name of Sean Connery's character in Marnie). This was something he did as a favor and it was not a project he had much control of, especially seeing as the star, Susan Strasberg, was then dating the fired director. I'm sure that Mr. Constantinides added himself here on the IMDb. And yes, he has exactly one other credit to his name. The other listed director (who someone says has no other credits) has plenty of other credits.

The film was a horridly written "thriller" of no merit. The finished film is not good, but you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

"Prime Suspect" has a terrific exploitation cast that just jumps out at you from the faded VHS box. Frank Stallone, Billy Drago, Michael Parks, Susan Strasberg, and even a well worn Doug McClure. It almost seems as if they didn't know how to cast such great "B" movie actors. Drago's part as a bisexual mental hospital orderly could have been written out completely. Stallone, as a restaurant owner, gives his usual intimidating performance, but the script is so murky that motive for his actions is totally lacking. Parks is off kilter and strange but with little purpose. His casting as a quirky chef might have been nothing more than an add on part. Finally,the only one who seems like they fit is Strasberg as a psychologist. Plot contrivances abound including people showing up at the right time out of thin air, a $200,000 Caterpillar backhoe in the middle of nowhere with the keys left in it, etc. etc. For fans of the actors this is worth a watch, just lower your expectations, and it could be acceptable entertainment. - MERK