One of the defining slasher movies gets a definitive release
Within the horror — or to be more precise, slasher — genre, there are landmarks. Films that define an era and influence everything that follows. Some films stand out decades later, retaining their unsettling potency. Bill Lustig’s Maniac is one such film. Celebrating 30 years since its notorious release, Blue Underground have given the film a new restoration and put together a host of special features that allow you to revisit and reappreciate this visceral work.
Synopsis:
Joe Spinell stars in William Lustig’s underground classic as Frank Zito, a character reminiscent of an even more disturbed Travis Bickle. Frank is an embittered loser who talks to himself and his dead mother, stalks a pretty model (Caroline Munro), and spends his spare time brutally murdering women. He then scalps his victims and puts the trophies on mannequins which he takes to bed with him at night. An uncomfortable film with a relentlessly downbeat tone, MANIAC features graphic, bloody special-effects makeup by cult favorite Tom Savini, who meets a gruesome end in a small cameo.
Directed by William Lustig (MANIAC COP 2, VIGILANTE) and featuring landmark gore effects by Tom Savini (DAWN OF THE DEAD, FRIDAY THE 13th), this relentlessly shocking and disturbing film was originally banned or censored all over the world due to its graphic violence. Now Blue Underground is thrilled to present MANIAC in a brand-new 4K Restoration from its recently discovered 16mm original camera negative, overflowing with hours of new and archival extras! A complete list is below…
Maniac is a film that leaves you feeling dirty, a journey into a diseased mind and city. Frank (Joe Spinell, Rocky, The Godfather) is haunted by childhood abuse, and his tortured mind drives him to stalk and kill young women, taking trophies and using them to adorn mannequins. A cyclic behavior, each act satiates him, putting him internally at an uneasy peace until driven to kill again. It is during one of these interludes that he meets and begins a relationship with a young photographer, Anna (Caroline Munro). The two develop a bond, Anna drawing out many of Frank’s more tender qualities, unaware of the danger Frank poses to the women of the city, and perhaps even to herself.
These violent acts are unsettling, but it’s the moments in-between, where Frank reflects upon or justifies his actions, that creep under your skin. It’s gripping work by Spinell, who impressively shifts between the different psychological states, or characters this man is capable of. He’s a monstrous, tortured creature, who pushes ‘80s New York deeper into decay and terror. The portrayal of this city brings to mind the aesthetic of Abel Ferrara (The Addiction, King of New York), the kind of environment that helped fuel the rise of Rudy Giuliani and his intense efforts to clean up the city in the early ‘90s. Watching this man hulking down dark dilapidated streets, hunting doing a woman, is reminiscent of a man who may as well be looking for his next fix. Frank is addicted to it; his moments of realization and rationalization lead to self-loathing, and a continuation of the cycle. These quieter moments that offer immersion in his psychology are the most disconcerting.
Some, especially the younger horror fans, may be more familiar with the surprisingly effective 2013 remake with Elijah Wood in the lead role, but the original still has a undeniable potency. With so much depth to the composition and lead performance, to call it a simple slasher, or just focus on the brutality of it all, is doing the film a disservice. Maniac is anchored by impressive work, both in front of and behind the camera. Lustig directs with a loose approach, at times leaning into a documentary feel. It’s voyeuristic, imbued with the sense these are moments you shouldn’t be watching, intimate and brutal. Tom Savini delivers a truly disturbing masterclass in practical effects to craft these acts of violence that counter the quiet reflections, aided by a discordant use of sound and a score by Jay Chattaway. Despite the horrors it depicts, Maniac is truly compelling, holding your gaze, which only adds to the unease.
The Package
The release from Blue Underground advertises a brand new 4K restoration of the film, one taken from a scan of a 16mm original. The result is a mixed bag. The visuals are a little flat, colors dim, and detail muddied by the overall aesthetic. Damage from the source print is apparent at times. It is a dark film, one that embraces a grimy look, and the image is thankfully free of any signs of overprocessing, retaining the feel of the piece. You may wonder how much more could have been done, but in doing so, would it still be Maniac? If you’re expecting a crisp hi-def image here, you will be underwhelmed. But for fans of genre cinema who have seen other releases of this film, it’s definitely a step up. Special features are where the package truly impresses:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray) Feature Film + Extras:
- Audio Commentary #1 with Producer/Director William Lustig and Producer Andrew W. Garroni: This is a newly recorded commentary, and as such it veers more toward reflecting on the film, how it’s aged, as well as the making of the film itself. Packed with details, it’s one of the better commentaries I’ve heard in a while.
- Audio Commentary #2 with Producer/Director William Lustig, Special Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Savini, Editor Lorenzo Marinelli, and Joe Spinell’s Assistant Luke Walter: Lifted from an older release, the multiple contributors make it a rather fast paced and content heavy listen, great tidbits about filming, special effects, on set problems, and laughs too.
- Theatrical Trailers
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
Disc 2 (Blu-ray) Extras:
- NEW! MANIAC Outtakes
- NEW! Returning to the Scene of the Crime with William Lustig
- Anna and the Killer — Interview with Star Caroline Munro: The actress talks about her career and her relationship with Spinell.
- The Death Dealer — Interview with Special Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Savini: Short but sweet from the effects maestro, detailing some of the more memorable set-pieces in the film, including blowing his own head off.
- Dark Notes — Interview with Composer Jay Chattaway: What a movie to be your first score opportunity! A breezy, brief, but stuffed interview with the composer about what led him to the project and how he approached it.
- Maniac Men — Interview with Songwriters Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky: There’s a standout musical moment in the film, and this featurette is something of a treat, breaking it down.
- The Joe Spinell Story: Lasting about 50 minutes, it’s made up of footage in his hometown, interviews with family, friends, and fellow actors, there is a lot of appreciation for his craft. We also see his hobbies (singing and poetry!) and learn about his career, including roles in films that eluded him, such as Jaws. It’s a revealing and often touching look at this man.
- Mr. Robbie: Maniac 2 Promo Reel: Some footage from the sequel that never was. A shame, as it looks deliciously fucked up.
- MANIAC Publicity: How do you market a film like Maniac? Well, this featurette tells you. TV and radio interviews of the cast and crew, responses from film festivals and critics. It’s pretty entertaining to see some of the cast (Monroe) talking about the film when clearly they haven’t seen the final product yet.
- MANIAC Controversy: This is gold. Reactions to the film upon its release. Members of the public, people of professions such as cops, critics, doctors, taking aim at the film and what it depicts. You also see how some cinemas lean heavily into this, building notoriety.
- BONUS! MANIAC Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by Jay Chattaway: The full soundtrack included on an additional CD.
- BONUS! Collectable Booklet with new essay by Michael Gingold: A nice fold out, the essay within talks about the inspirations, production, and impact of the film.
The Bottom Line
Maniac is one of those movies that truly lives up to its title. A film that is as lurid and unnerving as when it first hit theaters, thanks to the lasting craft of Lustig and Spinell. Blue Underground have compiled an outstanding array of special features for this 30th Anniversary Blu-ray to mark it as the definitive release for a seminal slasher.
Blue Underground’s 4K restoration of Maniac is available via MVD from December 11th, 2018.
Blue Underground is the entertainment company dedicated to guilty pleasures for adventurous movie lovers. Established in 2001, Blue Underground’s goal is to bring cool movies to fans all over the world in beautiful, Criterion-level special editions. They are definitive discs of some remarkable films, all fully restored, remastered and packed with the most mind-blowing extras in the business. Blue Underground is always searching for fun movies, undiscovered films, and films for people that are into movies. We’re committed to bringing these movies out of the dark and back into your life where they belong! For more information, please visit www.blue-underground.com.