A Beira do Machado

EDGE OF THE AXE is a cavalcade of senseless slaughter, brought to us by a masked lunatic in a raincoat. In between the gory murders, we're treated to the denizens of the town, and their romantic prospects.

This movie is pretty much by the numbers, featuring a mysterious madman on the loose, a host of suspects, stumped law enforcement, and fairly likable central characters. It's not overly tedious or stupid, and unfolds at a tolerable pace. This late, lesser-known slasher film even contains a few jolts and memorable set pieces, including the opening car wash scene, which sets things up nicely. The final revelation is far-fetched and the ending is predictable, but not a total embarrassment.

Worth a watch for the die-hard fan...

This is an underrated horror slasher movie. I think every video store should carry this one. Don't get fooled by the cover. The acting is good and the death scenes are written just right. Plenty of gore in this one. If you see this one do rent it. It's highly worth your time. 8/10

This is what might be described as a late Larraz, being made more than ten years after his much finer works such as Vampyres and Symptoms and the best things about it is probably the title and the fact that he manages to make his Spanish locations to look so American. The film moves well enough and, this being Larraz, always looks good. Style and just the slightest of artistic pretentious mixed in with the wanton brutality, is almost a Larraz trademark. Trouble is here seems to be that the Spaniard is so keen to keep us guessing as to just who is wielding that axe so furiously that he looses track of the fact we need someone to help us remain interested in these seeming random kills. It doesn't help that the cop in charge is so self obsessed and uninterested and although the central young couple do well enough they are not sufficiently charismatic to carry the whole film. So, great moments and visually arresting but ultimately uninvolving and dull.

I remember seeing "Edge of an Axe" many years ago on German satellite television.It's the highest time to watch it again.Jose Rammon Larraz has made a steady output of horror films including "Vampyres"(1974),"Symptoms"(1974),"Stigma"(1979),"The National Mummy"(1980),"Rest in Pieces"(1987)and "Deadly Manor"(1990).A series of brutal axe murders is plaguing small town in Northern California.The killer wears white Michael Myers inspired mask and rain slicker and the police is unable to trace the suspect.The pace is fast and the direction is solid,but there is not enough strong gore for my liking."Pieces" by Juan Piquer Simon is much bloodier and more brutal than "Edge of an Axe".Still if you like low-budget slasher movies give this one a chance.7 axes out of 10.

I was pleasantly surprised when I rented Edge of the Axe the other night. I was expecting just a stupid funny slasher flick, but I actually got a pretty good slash flick. It's about a white masked killer stalking people in a small town hacking them to pieces with an axe, as if you couldn't tell. Good slashings, a cool slasher, a pretty cool story, little to no clichés, a killing before the opening credits roll, no stereotypical characters makes for a good slashing time. You'd expect by the box and the not so good reviews of the flick that it would be a crappy slash flick released too late (1989) to cash in on the slash fest of the early 80's. In fact the slasher flicks of the early 80's could have learned a lesson from this flick. Check it out. You may be surprised. 7/10