Madman

This hasn't any originality, but its decently constructed mood of fear and larger-than-life villain makes it one of the best of the many FRIDAY THE 13TH ripoffs of the '80s. A story whispered round a campfire tells of old "Madman Marz", a local farmer who, for no reason at all, went nuts and killed his own family one day. He was caught and done in by a lynch mob but his body disappeared and the locals believe he's still out there somewhere haunting the woods. It is said that if anyone goes near his old empty farmhouse and says his name aloud, the old coot will come out and murder anybody he can get his clawed, wrinkled old hands on. Of course some idiot goes to the property, calls out his name and dares Madman Marz to come kill his fellow campers. Naturally the ornery old reprobate obliges, stomping out of the dark forest growling in rage and armed with various sharp objects to bump off the cast. Madman Marz, a disfigured, overweight old ghoul with a long beard and most of his nose missing, is a frightening creation and the merciless cruelty with which he dispatches innocent bystanders is appropriately shocking. Gaylen Ross of DAWN OF THE DEAD and CREEPSHOW is the main star, billed as Alexis Dubin. Again, there's not much imagination here, but good lighting and professional camerawork keep things watchable and it must be admitted that, in the end, the nice, simple, spooky summertime slasher movie does succeed in being creepy and suspenseful often enough to make it of at least marginal interest. It ain't high art, but it is pretty scary.... and that's what horror movies are supposed to be, right?

A slick attempt at a slasher with very impressive night photography.

Madman Marz, the film's killer, is a local legend made flesh who kills a bunch of wimpy teens and their counselors.

Joe Giannone's direction of the suspense sequences and ground level camerawork is a cut above. The storyline is serviceable but predictable. The acting ain't worth more than a line.

But do check out the film's night photography. Usually I hate night scenes because they're so poorly illuminated. Not so here. Some very stylish set-ups and artful compositions.

Memorable, thumpy score, too.

Some surprisingly old camp counselors anger legendary ax-murderer, so he makes a successful come-back.

Obvious Friday the 13th knock-off, but hey, it manages to be worth a few laughs. As low-budget as this film is, it does well with what it has, making a fairly good villain and possessing an atmospheric spookiness. Gore-seekers will find plenty of blood flying in this one, the gore FX are pretty nicely done for a low-budgeter. The locations are decent and the electronic music score ain't bad. Dig that clunky theme song!

The films biggest flaw is in its casting. While leads Alexis Dublin (better known as Gaylen Ross) and Tony Fish are OK, the supporting cast are completely awful in their wooden performances. I suppose we're not watching this movie for the acting though.

Still, Madman is an enjoyable tongue-in-cheek slasher movie.

** 1/2 out of ****

I remember seeing the commerical on t.v. when I was young, and it scared me. It's a shame movies today can't do the same. Well, I saw it on video, and it was scary, and the madman was scary, but!!! the acting is lousy, Overlook that and we have a scary little forgotten chiller from 1981. The year in which a lot of horror came out.......

I first saw this in the early 90s on a vhs.

Revisited it recently.

Well, most will agree that this is a rip off of FT13 n The Burning but this one has some moments of lol.

The film is tedious, there is zero nudity inspite of a lousy sex scene in a hot tub.

The moustachioed guy's girlfriend acted terrible n her chase was more lengthier than the final girl.

Some hilarious description bah our killer : face wise he is more like the blind chap from Rituals (1977).

He runs like a kid but walks limping and the best part is the way he hides for his prey. (While waiting for the moustachioed guy's girlfriend).

Watch out for his sharp long nails by which he tears a female's cheek. By the way his dungaree n strength inspired Victor Crowley.

There is a character Richie who stalks the mad serial killer and he disappears from the screen at 28th min and later appears aft 60th min and within that screen disappearance time, many murders happen n he is still alive stalking the killer. He again disappears from the screen and again mayhem ensues n voila, he reappears just before the end credits.

The editing is horrendous as scenes keep cutting abruptly.