Tudo Por Uma Verdade

If anyone is familiar with filmmaker Michael Winner's work, then "Scream for Help" shouldn't come as a surprise. Made smack in the middle of "Death Wish II" & "Death Wish 3". Those easily offended should steer clear. But then again, this ruthlessly trashy picture does catch you off guard numerous times. You could play a drinking game. Get the shot glasses ready, whenever you hear the word "kill". This is a lot. Yeah, as you can see, it's not one to take too seriously, even though it feels like the entire cast is giving their dramatic all.

Tom Holland's disjointed material is campy despite the context (family abuse) being frightening, but Winner's execution is where the laughs come from. Subtle is not how to describe it. It's so outrageously delirious, excessive and in-your-face making it eye-bogglingly strange and unrealistic. Was Winner sniggering behind the camera? But that's where the fun comes from.

The story creatively follows that of the dogged teenage girl's viewpoint by mixing elements of the boy who cried wolf meets Nancy Drew turned home invasion with exploitative touches. Then there's the odd, if graceless lifetime style coming of age inclusions. It's all over the place, but for some reason it gives it such a frenetic, unpredictable energy after being thrown straight into the action. Helping this out was the spirited performance of Rachael Kelly. Watching her go about her business always in the same manner can get rather humorous when not jarring. Her dialogues and reactions are priceless, but still you got admire her commitment. She would give Terry O'Quinn's "The Stepfather" a real run for his money. David Allen Brooks is perfect as the calculating, sleazebag step-father.

One thing that was hard to admire though, was that loud, obnoxious music score. Winner must be sniggering again? Outside of those intrusive guitar riffs, it felt out-of-pace. Winner's leering, straight-forward style makes use of it b-grade budget where amongst the sordid details he does install some intense passages. And how about that ending?!

Between Death Wish II and Death Wish 3, Winner made this quickly forgotten thriller with a no name cast. It has the same over the top approach as his much more famous works, with so many memorable scenes and dialogue written by Tom Holland, best known for Fright Night and Child's Play. It's easily one of the most watchable bad movies of the 80's, so it's a huge shame that this is not on DVD. I would buy it immediately and play it for everyone i know. If you like R rated politically incorrect Nancy Drew mysteries that were made by your perverted uncle.... If you like Lifetime Original Movies on crack... If you want to see an even more outrageous version of The Stepfather, then this movie is for you.

ok it may be laughable,and cheesy,but still thrilling in my opinion. the last 20 minutes or so is really good. the score seems so out of place it's not even funny. it looks more like a 70's movie than a 80's movie. but it's still pretty good. i give scream for help **1/2 out of ****

Let's see, we got veteran UK filmmaker, Michael Winner, at the helm. A soundtrack by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones featuring Jimmy Page and Jon Anderson from Yes, and a script from noted Hollywood fear-meister Tom Holland. What could go wrong? Pretty much everything and gloriously so! I love watching this film because I can never tell if it was made to be a melodramatic satire or just a melodramatic failure. I'm leaning toward failed art. The bad acting is spread across the board but led by the entirely incapable Rachael Kelly, sporting around the screen in a variety of unflattering '80s era outfits. Ms. Kelly never once allows the viewer to lose themselves in the proceedings with her near constant histrionics. No wonder her step-father is trying to kill her! The absurd soundtrack is so over-the-top and out of place that I'm convinced that the producers threw out Jones' original score and substituted cheesy stock tracks instead. There is nothing but camp and unintentional guffawing to be had here...and that's ok. Sometimes you need a movie to riff on with your buddies like MST3K, and Scream for Help (which never received a proper release in the US) is there to help. Nice to see a new blu-ray edition on the market.

I like this movie a lot. True, it's not a cinema classic, but as a "B" horror film, it rates a B+. The story, acting, and direction are much better than most films of this sort.

My biggest complaint with the film is the music, which is often out of sync with the film, and at other times shrill to the point of being annoying.

The actors do a fine job, particularly Sisto, in the sleasy, white trash role. The young actress who stars in this film is quite effective, and I have to wonder why she didn't get a career boost, after this one.

I'd like to purchase this film, if it is ever released on DVD.