Tagline: “I Warned You Not To Go Out Tonight…Maniac.”

Trailer Tagline: “Maniac! It will tear the life out of you.”
If you have never had the pleasure I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you let “Maniac” ooze its sickness and perverse depravity all over you. Yes, yes, yes I say to one of the crowned jewels of early 80’s sleaze and major league gore. Notorious, disturbing, downbeat and nasty, perfection for us gore-hounds and sicko’s alike. It caused quite the controversy upon it release and was censored across the world and Banned in a couple of countries.

Directed with stark realism, gritty atmosphere and a truly disturbing tone by William Lustig [Blue-Underground main man] with those ‘Bloody Italians’ in mind I’m quite sure. Writer Joe Spinell turns in an incredible performance as Frank Zito, a very disturbed man---to say the least---who’s a loner with no friends except for his unhealthy relationship with his mannequins.

Haunted by his abusive childhood with his mother Zito turns to killing and butchering innocent women in true ‘MANIAC’ fashion on the seedy streets of a panic-stricken New York City. True gory killings are prevalent and in your face. See victims scalped, throats slit, stabbed and who could ever forget the history making violence of Tom Savini having his head blown to bits [in fabulous slow mo] with a shotgun. I’ll never ever forget the first time that I saw it back in the early 80’s. I was like “oh my fucking god. What did I just see?” REWIND, REWIND! It’s an awesome sight as well as Savini’s All-Time best gore gag. [Note: Critic Gene Siskel was repulsed at this point and exited the theatre.] HA ha!

BUT…, it’s not just about the violence. There is the scary and disturbing realism of it all. Along with the fact that Zito wants to stop his madness but is unable to. Even when he meets sexy Caroline Munroe who brings a little happiness and a ray of hope, he just can’t stop. And despite the terrible things he does you just can’t help but feel for Spinell’s tortured character. Then there’s Jay Chattaway’s superb downbeat unnerving ambient score that compliments every scene so well. This sure fire Sleaza-classi-tastic is a favorite in my book for sure, and fits in with early 80’s sleaze gore merchants like Lucio Fulci’s nasty giallo “The New York Ripper” ‘82 and Romano Scavolini’s blood splattered “Nightmare” ’81.

Although the Media Video version I had for years was also unbelievable Uncut. I feel a parade is appropriate for this Anchor Bay DVD upgrade that’s loaded with Xtras.
Digitally THX Mastered and Uncut it’s presented in the correct 1.85:1 Widescreen enhanced for 16 x 9 TV’s with Dolby Digital Surround Ex, 6.1 DTS-ES, and 2.0 Dolby Surround French & Italian tracks. Damn I wish I would have got the Collector’s Tin though.

We have Commentary with William Lustig, F/x man Tom Savini, Editor Lorenzo Marinelli and Joe Spinell [R.I.P.] assistant Luke Walker. Radio Interview with William Lustig, Joe Spinell & Caroline Munroe. The Joe Spinell story [49 Minutes], Theatrical Trailers, TV Spots, Radio Spots, Poster & Still Gallery, Talent Bios and to finish the entertainment the Gallery of Outrage.

Next to collecting horror films, posters are the thing I like collecting the most. The only problem being they take up a lot of space. Especially the awesome 2 sheets. So I am more than chuffed to have secured a 27” x 40” 1 Sheet [looking awful swell framed on my wall] purchased from Edwin Neil---The CHAIN SAW hitchhiker and signed by Tom Savini.

Although I pissed the man off when I disturbed his neat little piles of photos at which point he became a total jerk. Sorry Tom. My Bad???