William Lustig’s “MANIAC” is a violently disturbing journey into the mind of a human monster.
Frank Zito (Joe Spinell) is a deranged man with a serious Oedipus complex, and stalks the harsh streets of New York punishing women for reasons that only he seems to understand. As he wanders the streets, he is haunted by his inner demons and the voice of his dead mother. Those voices follow him home, where he argues with mannequins that wear the hair he scalped off his victims. This film is exceptional because it is the most purest of a horror movie, and deals with a visceral gut reaction. To be sickened by what you are seeing is only natural and a normal reaction to the horrors you are about to witness.
Interestingly enough, In 1989 Lustig went to work on a movie much similar to “MANIAC” in vein, called “Relentless” which was slightly toned down for a more public audience. That film provided a breakthrough performance for Brat packer Judd Nelson, who has never really received acclaim for that portrayal. What made “Relentless” different was that it was bi-tonal, focusing on the cops and the serial killer, creating an amazing and intense game of cat and mouse.
In this picture however the focus is solely on Zito. Zito’s life is turned upside down when he falls for a pretty young model named Anna D’Antoni (the beautiful Caroline Munro), who seems to see a lot in this monster with whom she knows nothing about. It takes a real stretch of the imagination to believe that Munro would fall in love with a man of Spinell’s nature, but their acting makes it a believable sell to the audience. Not to mention the fact Spinell exhibits some charisma and charm in this offbeat role.
Several factors elevate this classic horror film above what one might expect in the genre. For starters, the passionate acting of the late Spinell packs an emotional wallop. A veteran character actor in classics such as “The Godfather,” “Taxi Driver,” “Cruising” and “Rocky,” it was this film that Spinell co-wrote in hopes of landing himself a leading role. He spends a large portion of “MANIAC” onscreen, and is convincing right from the start. This was a risky career move for him playing the dirty, greasy serial killer but he was so convincing that John Wayne Gacy personally requested Spinell to play him in a movie that was to be made based on his life.
Spinell’s talent succumbed to substance abuse and he ended up departing during the filming of the sequel to this picture. He was a very talented actor, and it would have been nice if he got to stick around a little longer.
We learn about the character of Zito when we watch him senselessly strangle and scalp a young prostitute – the sheer violence and horror seen through his eyes serve as an introduction into the bizarre world we are about to enter. This is grim, nasty, edge-of-your-seat, renegade filmmaking.
Another nail biting scene is when Zito pursues a young nurse through a late night train station on 59th Street. As an audience member the fear is palpable as this man senselessly chases this poor woman late at night, and the fear is much worse then that of Jason Voorhies because monsters like Zito exist in this world.
A large portion of the grim nastiness is due to the realistic depiction of violence designed by Tom Savini. The blood splatters across the screen in this tale, and the attention to the detail for the gore effects is some of the most phenomenal work to ever come across the screen – this is no CGI, but the sheer brilliance of Savini’s imagination. This film is closest and most realistic depiction of violence brought forth on the screen, delivering exactly what the title states.
Look briefly for a cameo by Savini, who literally must have had a blast designing the gore effects for himself.
Lustig utilizes those two elements to create a hauntingly realistic vision of a serial killer running amok on the terrified citizens of New York. It is a testament to the director that this picture was put together as something different from some of the slasher films in theaters at the time.
Lustig also broke new grounds in the street justice genre with “Vigilante.” Similar to the low-budget filmmaking present in “MANIAC” the streets and criminals seemed authentic. When Fred “The Hammer” Williamson is speaking up for justice, you believe every word he is saying. One other common factor with “MANIAC” was the Spinell had a cameo as a sleazy lawyer (That seemed all true to life) in “Vigilante.”
Recently, Lustig was on hand at the 2009 New York Horror Film Festival to accept a lifetime achievement award, and regaled in stories of making movies.
Due to its brutal nature, “MANIAC” is not a film for the faint of heart, but those who love horror movies should see it.
– Anthony Benedetto
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
