User reviews

There are three types of horror films 1.the scary horror film (designed as you would think to scare you. 2.The black comedy (Its meant to be funny, but not everyone will find this true. Third and last are the dramatic horror films, they play like a drama film except they are much darker and usually have something to do with mental illnesses. This movie is of the third kind, It is a sad character study of a young man called Eric who spends all his time watching movies and finding out trivia about them. He has no apparent friends and he lives with his wheelchair bound aunt, who really is at odds with him. The film is very original and has a incredible lead performance from the actor playing Eric. They cops on the other hand are all really badly done, I just couldnt wait till they left the screen and every time they appeared again I grimly waited for there departure. Most of the other actors do quite a good job in this film and it also sports a young Mickey Rouke in what I think was his first film role. I would recommend this film only to horror fans, The film references, the characters and the direction are all tuned to giving any horror fan a good time for their money. Its not for everyone. But thats what I liked about it.

Dennis Christopher elevates what might as well be another generic slasher/thriller every step of the way with his thoughtful and committed performance as a movie obsessed loner who develops an obsession with a Marilyn Monroe lookalike and begins killing people he doesn't like while dressed as his famous cinematic heroes.

There's something a little too somber and serious about Fade To Black and if it could just let loose and have a little fun every now and then, it might have been a more enjoyable film. It plays more like Taxi Driver or the more recent Joker film, taking itself deathly seriously even when it should be adding a little levity to the story. It's admirable for the first half of the film, but once the killings start, it stops being that serious psychological study and turns into something entirely and logic flies out the window a bit.

There's also an entirely unnecessary subplot involving a police officer and the new, cocaine snorting psychologist she works with that adds very little except padding to the run time.

It's only Christopher's performance that holds the film together and it's worth seeing just for him.

A movie-obsessed nerd has enough of people not taking his cinematic ambitions seriously, so he kills them in disguises inspired by his favorite movie characters.

As many good things as Fade To Black has going for it, the finished product is unsatisfying in a variety of ways. It's torn between tortured character study and also trying to keep up with the culture's current obsession with slasher movies and doesn't commit to either fully enough to satisfy and it's neither as thrilling or psychologically complex as it could be. Dennis Christopher's performance holds it together even when it comes close to crumbling down.

There is something about the look and feel of this film I love. It reminds me in some ways of "Martin" - my favorite urban vampire flick.

Not that Fade To Black has anything to do with vampires, its about a lost and lonely nobody whose film life takes over from his mundane, put-upon reality to the point where he takes revenge on the world dressed as his fave film figures. Its a cute conceit for a film so obsessed with film references. Dennis Christopher is such a distinctive figure and his sexual scene in this film is just... quaint + oddly saucy. I think this is a cult film ready to be resurrected. Its camp, violent and Mickey Rourke is in it in a bit part. Think "Taxi Driver" cross-bred with "Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer" and "Polyester"

The concept for Fade To Black could go many different directions, but the film wavers between serious character drama a la Joker, made for TV melodrama, and a cursory attempt at a slasher film. They never really mesh and the film feels too confused to make much of an impact in spite of a wonderful central performance by Dennis Christopher. Linda Kerrige also makes for a smashing Marilyn Monroe impersonator.

Dennis Christopher turns in the performance of his career as a movie obsessed loner who disguises himself as his favorite film characters to get revenge on those he believes have wronged him.

Fade to Black is somewhere between a classy psychological thriller and a slasher movie, but it refuses to lean into either or and ends up not being much of anything other than a missed opportunity. It's hard to imagine a bloodthirsty slasher fan getting much out of this and it's not quite smart and insightful enough to get any mainstream attention.

The low-budget production had the premise (innovative and creepy), but the execution of it seemed a little off when it had to count. I wouldn't call it just a horror film, as it had a bit of everything in it. For old-school Hollywood film-buffs it was ripe with numerous knowing film references (inter-cutting snippets of features), where our smugly weedy protagonist (a multi-layered, skin-crawling performance by Dennis Christopher) begins to confuse fictional with reality after everything in his life begins to crumble as his realises there's only one way to escape it. He begins role-playing characters and scenes with nothing but conviction. While these sequences were creative, it just seems to take away from the underlining horror.

The dark humour seems to fit, but the script is sorely underwritten due to some stringy sub-plots (mainly that of Thomason's character) that are poorly thought out. Not that they couldn't added anything, but they could've if a little more exposition was spent on them. Instead they feel trivial. The backdrop is interestingly displayed with the director Vernon Zimmerman using genuine locations where it cooked up some gritty atmospherics. Some moments were kind of overdone (when the unstable homicidal nature and identity crises kicks in, when the torment gets out of hand), but it keeps you highly involved. I didn't find it particularly suspenseful (other than the climax), but the way it's organised shows enough drive and originality.

Other than Christopher, the rest of the cast (featuring the likes of Norman Burton, Tim Thomason, Eve Brent, Morgan Paull, and John Steadman) are mildly okay. A perky Linda Kerridge (the Marilyn Monroe look-alike) has a good screen presence and there's a small role for Mickey Rourke. Craig Safan's smoking, uncanny score works a treat.

I'm absolutely obsessed with movies, especially horror, and I'm guessing that you are too, since you're currently reading an IMDb review of a relatively obscure, thirty-five-year-old horror flick. But as much as we love films, I doubt that either one of us is quite as crazy about them as Dennis Christopher's character, Eric Binford, in Fade to Black (at least I hope not).

Eric, a shy, dysfunctional loner, immerses himself in the make-believe world of cinema 24/7, ultimately confusing reality with fantasy, taking on the identities of characters from his favourite films to mete out punishment to those who victimise him. Disguising himself as gangster Cody Jarrett from White Heat, cowboy Hopalong Cassidy, and Universal monsters Dracula and The Mummy, he settles the score with his overbearing Aunt Stella (Eve Brent), a workplace bully (Mickey Rourke), and his tyrant of a boss. Eric also poses as Lawrence Olivier from The Prince and the Showgirl to woo a Marilyn Monroe lookalike he meets in a diner (Linda Kerridge). Meanwhile, the police are trying to piece together the clues before the killer strikes again…

Fade to Black is a technically competent effort with some stylish touches—the inter-cutting of old movie clips is a particularly effective trick—but the film suffers from some weak performances (Tim Thomerson, as a counsellor working with the police, is extremely wooden), a script that just gets more and more ludicrous (where the hell does Eric find a working tommy gun?), and a message that doesn't sit very well with this particular movie fan: that consistent exposure to violent movies will cause the viewer to act in a violent manner. We horror fans take enough crap as it is, without our own genre making us out to be loony tunes as well!

It's a pretty good film, it's odd but has nice a mix of comedy, horror & thriller. The first 30/35 minutes lay the backdrop for the things in the last hour of the film - and that last hour is a decent watch.

Eric Binford is a guy obsessed with classic films of all genres. The love of his life is the famed actress Marilyn Monroe and he sees Marilyn O'Connor as Monroe. He's slowing "cracking up" when we are introduced to him... but as the film progresses we watch him fall deeper into madness. His obsession with the classic films turns deadly.

Overall I enjoyed this film - it's not a great film, but it's not a bad film at all! Worth watching if you like horror movies.

7/10

When FTB came out, I was in High School- moreover, I was in high school in southern Indiana, just a few miles from the setting of "Breaking Away." And to add one more notch, I was just beginning to figure out that I was gay. All that meant that I had a little crush on Dennis Christopher, and open to some of the gay-coded references in Fade to Black. I thought it was a fantastic movie, and Christopher the next Anthony Perkins.

Now it's forty-four years later, and I convinced my husband to watch this on Amazon Prime. To be kind, it doesn't hold up well.

The setup is a mashup, and is completely predictable from the first few minutes. D. C. Gives it his all, but the Zimmerman seems to have told him to turn it up to eleven. Linda Kerridge has a natural charm. Tim Thomerson seems to be in an entirely different movie, or maybe a Mod Squad episode about a hippy-dippy psychologist. In fact, if you pay attention, I don't think Thomerson is ever in the same frame with Christopher, as though perhaps his scenes were all shot in a day (clearly a day when everyone was high).

It also makes me wonder why Dennis Christopher didn't have more of a career. Even though he didn't have traditional leading-man looks, he is a talented actor and should have been better utilized.

I'd agree that "Fade to Black" works better in theory than in this actual execution. It should have been more fun, and admittedly the hook IS quite delicious: what if an unstable film geek murdered those who mocked him, while dressed up as his favourite cinematic characters?

The main problem is that our antihero, Eric Binford (Dennis Christopher), an employee for a film advertising firm, is not sympathetic in the slightest. This isn't a character whom you feel sorry for and root for so much as you want to smack him around. He's an ill-tempered, whiny wimp who attaches way too much importance to his knowledge of movie trivia.

Then again, this may well have been the intention of writer / director Vernon Zimmerman. One of my Internet acquaintances once described "Fade to Black" as "showing the dark side of being a film geek". Eric seemingly can't relate to anybody on a normal level, instead thinking entirely in cinematic terms. As unlikable as Eric may be, however, it's hard to say whether the problem is in the character as written or any ineptitude on Christophers' part.

Another thing that doesn't help are the scenes with the normally entertaining Tim Thomerson as a liberal minded police shrink. The character is a dolt and one doesn't want to root for HIM, either, even if he is sympathetic to Erics' plight.

It's still a fairly enjoyable experience, at least for any cinephile. Amid all the movie references, clips from classics such as "White Heat" and "Creature from the Black Lagoon" are edited in with ease. And it's cool to see Eric dress up as Dracula, The Mummy, and Hopalong Cassidy, etc. while in the act of doing away with his nemeses.

The good supporting cast includes Norman Burton, Morgan Paull, James Luisi, Eve Brent, John Steadman, Marcie Barkin, Peter Horton, and a swaggering young Mickey Rourke. The major bright spot is Australian beauty Linda Kerridge, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike who actually gets named Marilyn in the movie. As Erics' would be girlfriend, she shines.

A nice music score by Craig Safan and a rousing face off on top of Manns' Chinese Theatre are also highlights.

Six out of 10.

Always wanted to see this, but knew little, thought it was a slasher and kinda is. WEIRD movie. I could never tell if it's a comedy-horror, or unintentionally funny - they never advised either way. But, I was laughing at it and it's countless errors. Still, it wasn't a bad watch and love that era of horror filmmaking.

This is a favorite movie of mine. I rushed out and got it on video when I heard it had been released. A lot of people here have given impressions of the story, I won't add to their great comments. What I would like to say is this this movie is a tremendous tribute to Hollywood Classic Movies. You will see snippets of many films here, all will be readily recognized. You will see Dennis Christopher's character slip deep into psychosis and take on the personas (and look..) of many of these characters in order to wreak his revenge. The more you know about old movies, the more you will get out of this film. Yes, it's essentially a slasher movie but this goes beyond the genre to get deep into the head of a killer. I like to think of this movie as a movie-fans version of "Sunset Boulevard", showing a broken mind on the other side of the fence. Worth seeing.

If you like the classics, bogart,monroe, brandon etc and also appreciate obscure horror like fulci, damato, ndeodato, chances are that you will fin this movie ubercool! i certainly did.

Eric is a really nice guy, but his mind isn't in the pressures of reality. He spends nearly all his time thinking of, and watching, old movies (Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, Night of the Living Dead, etc.) using an old-fashioned projector in his dim bedroom. His aunt Stella has taken him in but is confined to a wheelchair and blames him for it.

One day he meets a Marilyn Monroe lookalike at the local city diner, and when she accidentally stands him up for a movie date he sadly walks home to watch his movies alone, only to have his aunt destroy his beloved projector. Horrified, he snaps and shoves her down the stairs, and soon afterwards goes on a murder rampage to get back at everyone who dragged him down in life.

Fade to Black is an action-packed and hilarious yet underrated slasher film. It deserves more of an audience, that's for sure. With its catchy 80's soundtrack, decent acting and original plot, if you're a slasher fan or even if you just want a movie to watch this is one to add to your list! It does have one or two flaws: it starts of rather boring and many of the inside jokes Eric tells reference films that most people haven't actually watched so it's hard to get what he finds so funny. Overall though, it isn't bad.

I was 11 when this came on Showtime. When I saw it, sneaking into the TV room late at night, keeping the volume low, hoping to see boobies, I was shocked by the violence, particularly the senselessness of it. I wish I'd had parental guidance to help me sort through the emotional impact of this film. I like to think I "turned out okay" except now I am afraid of Marilyn Monroe impersonators.

Fade to Black is a not-so-good attempt to spoof the demanding society, the influence of the media and a few other nowadays stress factors. Dennis Christopher stars as Eric Binford, an introvert nerd who's addicted to movies (film noir and horror in particular). After a few things gone wrong in his pathetic little life, he snaps and starts to kill his opponents dressed up like his movie role models. More particularly, like James Cagney in 'White Heat', Christopher Lee in 'Dracula' or the rubber suit guy in 'Creature from the Black Lagoon'. Even though it's usually listed as one, I certainly wouldn't call this film horror. It's not bloody (unfortunately) and it doesn't feature any tension, atmosphere or shocking elements. Neither is it funny or even memorable. The acting is below every standard (keep your eyes open for the young Mickey Rourke in a small role) and I didn't like the 'blame it all on society' undertones. Luckily, there still is the trivia! I amused myself by spotting all the horror posters and the references to classic horror and gangster films.

Eric Binford is a charming movie nerd who just can't manage to catch a break.

Life always seems to reem him over.

His dreams almost come true when he meets an Australian girl named Marilyn- who looks exactly like Marilyn Monroe (who he is obsessed with).

Not only does she indulge in his roleplay fantasy...but even agrees to go and see a movie with him.

Though, when she forgets, and ends up running late...everything starts fall apart.

Because he ends up going home to watch the film Kiss Of Death by himself- after being rejected by a prostitute- only to have his incestual Aunt barge in and break his projector...which triggers a fit of rage, during which he emulates James Cagney's character in the film...and pushes his wheelchair bound Aunt down the stairs to her death.

Now that he's chosen to walk this path to hell...everyone who ever messed with him is going to pay...

Beginning with Marilyn...who he almost kills while dressed up as Bela Lugosi's Dracula...only the scenario isn't right (it's too Psycho)...plus, he realizes he still loves her...so he backs out at the last second.

Though, he does kill her roomate for having previously insulted him.

He then goes on to scare his boss to death while dressed up as Boris Karloff from The Mummy.

Before killing his bully as Hopalong Cassidy.

Eventually, he ends up hitchhiking through LA...where he is picked up by a shady film producer- who he runs a film idea by.

Unfortunately, the producer rips the idea off...which ultimately leads to his untimely death at the hands of Cody Jarrett from White Heat.

Now our man's on the lam, becoming Laurence Olivier as the Regent of Hungary from The Prince and The Showgirl; while fashioning Marilyn into Marilyn Monroe (in true Vertigo fashion), so that he can live out his fantasy (before his inevitable fall).

Because there is a detective- who is an expert on madness- that is hot on his trail...hunting him down with his beat cop girlfriend.

The detective truly believes he can help him...thinking that Eric has gone mad from watching so many movies.

The violence having desensitized him...and driven him to madness.

As one might expect...the whole thing ends up like Vertigo...only atop the TCL Theatre on Hollywood Blvd in LA instead of the belltower in San Francisco.

And...with a more complete conclusion.

If ever there has ever been a film made for cinephiles by cinephiles- this is it.

It's laden with references to other films, in relation to themes, re-enactments, flashbacks and even mise-en-scene.

The kind of film that will have you noticing something new the seventh time around.

It even seems to have gone on to influence the HBO series Dream On- particularly in regards to the way "media flashbacks" are used.

A highly underrated gem...and a must see for cinephiles everywhere.

Definitely hunt it down and give it a watch.

8.5 out of 10.

This one presents an interesting and original idea for a slasher: a disturbed film buff kills people who have wronged him while dressed up as his favorite movie characters! It even has a Hollywood backdrop: in fact, I visited some of the places where it's set – such as Hollywood Boulevard (the violent climax itself takes place atop Grauman's Chinese Theater) and Venice Beach – when I was there in late 2005/early 2006.

Still, despite some undeniably good moments, I don't feel that the film extracts the full potential offered by this fascinating premise: to begin with, some of the references it makes are simply too obscure to be picked up by casual audiences (99 RIVER STREET [1953]) – while to others is attributed a significance beyond their worth (Hopalong Cassidy, THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL [1957]). The film is buoyed, however, by Dennis Christopher's striking leading performance – who gets to 'play' popular roles, interspersed with genuine excerpted footage, from the horror (Dracula and The Mummy), gangster (James Cagney from WHITE HEAT [1949]) and Western (William "Stage" Boyd as the afore-mentioned cowboy hero) genres during his various stalk-and-kill maraudings; he even replicates the famous wheelchair-down-the-stairs murder of an old woman perpetrated by a cackling Richard Widmark in KISS OF DEATH (1947).

Also notable are Tim Thomerson (later of TRANCERS [1985]) and Linda Kerridge: the former appears as the Professor of criminal psychology who reveals himself sympathetic to Christopher's plight (he's assisted by a female rookie, but eventually gets overruled by the stuffy Precinct Captain); Kerridge's uncanny resemblance to Marilyn Monroe, then, makes her the perfect 'idol' to drive Christopher in his warped crime-spree (among whose victims is a young Mickey Rourke). Finally, the film is equally enjoyable as a time-capsule – for the singular opportunity it offers of seeing various current releases on the marquee (ALL THAT JAZZ [1979], KRAMER VS. KRAMER [1979], COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER [1980], HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT [1980], SERIAL [1980]).

The plot = A young man named whose obsessed with classic movies, is driven to madness and decides to make his fantasies real, by murdering those who've wronged him.

"Fade To Black" is a reasonably entertaining movie, it's not brilliant but it's not terrible either, many movies from this era justified they're maniac's actions with a brief back story, here we get to see the main character slowly descending into madness, an angle which was interesting and I did like for part of the time, but there were times where it just seemed too far-fetched and unbelievable.

This movie could have been one of those defining moments of the slasher genre, but sadly it doesn't quite build enough steam. The supporting cast aren't given enough screen time to be fleshed out or to be cared about, and none of the murders build any real tension or decent gore effects. Although there some interesting set pieces but all that falls flat, although the main character's obsession between fantasy and reality was fun and interesting showing clips from different movies but its abruptness and simplicity leaves you unfulfilled and doesn't deliver as much as it could have.

Dennis Christopher gives a pretty good performance as the lead Eric his descend into madness was memorable, but he doesn't always comes across as very menacing, but he is the only cast member that's even fleshed out. Linda Kerridge (Marilyn) gives an OK performance as the centre of Eric's obsession but she kind of falls apart at the end, but she was beautiful. and it's also worth pointing out is that we get a young Mickey Rourke here in a minor role and does alright in his small amount of screen time, another big star making they're mark in a slasher before going on to bigger success.

All in all "Fade To Black" is not as brilliant or memorable as it could of been and this could have been up there with some of the other 80's slasher greats (Friday The 13th, My Bloody Valentine, House On Sorority Row, Happy Birthday To Me) but sadly due to the many faults this just becomes average.

This is an average suspenser with a fascinating performance by Dennis Christopher as an obsessive movie fan who loses his grip on reality and begins committing crimes while dressed as some of his favorite cinematic idols. It's never very scary or suspenseful, but Christopher sells every moment he's on screen.