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Maniac

  • 19801980
  • RR
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,623
100
Maniac (1980)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer1:34
2 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaHorror
A psychopathic man goes on a killing and mutilation spree in New York City.A psychopathic man goes on a killing and mutilation spree in New York City.A psychopathic man goes on a killing and mutilation spree in New York City.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
6,623
100
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • William Lustig
    • Writers
      • C.A. Rosenberg(screenplay)
      • Joe Spinell(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Joe Spinell
      • Caroline Munro
      • Abigail Clayton
    Top credits
    • Director
      • William Lustig
    • Writers
      • C.A. Rosenberg(screenplay)
      • Joe Spinell(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Joe Spinell
      • Caroline Munro
      • Abigail Clayton
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 239User reviews
    • 121Critic reviews
    • 22Metascore
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos2

    Maniac
    Trailer 1:33
    Maniac
    Maniac (1980)
    Trailer 1:34
    Maniac (1980)

    Photos120

    Maniac (1980)
    Maniac (1980)
    Maniac (1980)
    Abigail Clayton and Joe Spinell in Maniac (1980)
    Maniac (1980)
    Maniac (1980)
    Maniac (1980)
    Maniac (1980)
    Maniac (1980)
    Maniac (1980)
    Abigail Clayton in Maniac (1980)
    Joe Spinell in Maniac (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Joe Spinell
    Joe Spinell
    • Frank Zito
    Caroline Munro
    Caroline Munro
    • Anna D'Antoni
    Abigail Clayton
    • Rita
    • (as Gail Lawrence)
    Kelly Piper
    Kelly Piper
    • Nurse
    Rita Montone
    Rita Montone
    • Hooker
    Tom Savini
    Tom Savini
    • Disco Boy
    Hyla Marrow
    • Disco Girl
    James L. Brewster
    James L. Brewster
    • Beach Boy
    • (as James Brewster)
    Linda Lee Walter
    • Beach Girl
    Tracie Evans
    • Street Hooker
    Sharon Mitchell
    Sharon Mitchell
    • Second Nurse
    Carol Henry
    • Deadbeat
    Nelia Bacmeister
    • Carmen Zito
    Louis Jawitz
    • Art Director
    Denise Spagnuolo
    • Denise
    Billy Spagnuolo
    • Billy
    Frank Pesce
    Frank Pesce
    • T.V. Reporter
    • (voice)
    Candace Clements
    • First Park Mother
    • Director
      • William Lustig
    • Writers
      • C.A. Rosenberg(screenplay)
      • Joe Spinell(screenplay) (story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      William Lustig and Joe Spinell say they didn't always have the necessary permits to film on location in New York City. Certain scenes (including the infamous shotgun through the windshield scene) had to have been filmed quickly and afterwards the crew had to run away before the cops arrived.
    • Goofs
      The nurse is supposedly alone in the subway station, but during one shot (from inside the subway train as it pulls away) we can see several people walking about on the platform; they all disappear in the next shot.
    • Quotes

      Frank Zito: I told you not to go out tonight, didn't I? Every time you go out, this kind of thing happens.

    • Alternate versions
      The film was rejected for a cinema certificate in 1981 by the BBFC and also for a video rating in 1998. It was finally released in the UK on the Anchor Bay label in 2002 after receiving 58 secs of cuts to a prolonged strangulation scene and to a sexualized stabbing sequence.
    • Connections
      Edited from Inferno (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      Non gettarmi la sabbia negli occhi
      Written by Leo Chiosso/Gigi Cichellero

      Performed by Gino Bramieri

    User reviews239

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    a very sleazy, graphic, uncomfortable psycho-killer flick
    It's a showcase for sweaty character actor Joe Spinell, who appeared in a lot of major films (The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver) in small roles, and larger roles in more dubious fare (Starcrash). The story was inspired by the Son of Sam killings, with Spinell as the ranting, depraved killer. The film was notorious for its (at the time) very graphic killings, featuring the work of make up FX legend Tom Savini.

    The movie's appeal will be limited, but if one enjoys that particular brand of late-70's/early-80's NYC grime and sleaze, it's a must-see. Director William Lustig made several other genre films (Vigilante, Maniac Cop) before starting the Blue Underground home video company, who are the prime source for Italian genre films on disc (horror, giallo, spaghetti westerns, crime thrillers, etc.).
    helpful•18
    0
    • AlsExGal
    • Nov 20, 2020

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the Director's Cut and the Uncensored Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 6, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Manijak
    • Filming locations
      • Hotel St. James, 109 West 45th St, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Magnum Motion Pictures Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $350,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
      • Dolby Atmos
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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