Illustration : Martin Buchan

Maniac
 

William Lustig | US | 1980

Launched amidst a storm of controversy, this first non porn effort from William “Bill” Lustig, heralded by a self-imposed “No One Under 17 Will Be Admitted” rating, cemented the filmmaker as something of a maverick in the realms of exploitation cinema.

Our story focuses on Frank Zito (played with alarming realism by The Godfather star Joe Spinell), a sweaty loner serial killer who murders and scalps his female victims, before furnishing the heads of his ‘family’ of mannequins with his blood-soaked trophies! Modern audiences clearly weren’t prepared for this level of misogyny (with gruesomely memorable effects from Tom Savini), as Frank similarly butchers his way through a bevy of supporting actresses, typically playing models, nurses and hookers! One exception however is Anna — played by one-time Bond girl Caroline Munro — a photographer who unwittingly tempts fate when she innocently takes a picture of Frank. This chance encounter places the woman in obvious peril, as her liaisons serve only to expose Frank as an insecure romantic, smothered by his more prevalent violent self…

Originally rejected for cinemas in July 1981, Lustig's film appeared within two years under Alpha Films’ video arm as distributed by Intervision. This edition was pre-cut by 2m 54s, which was undoubtedly a safety measure taken by its distributor amidst the growing hysteria surrounding violent videos at the time.

 

 

 

 

In what might have been the film's first officially sanctioned video release, MPV tried submitting the film sometime in early 1987 but were likely informed not to bother by then BBFC director James Ferman — a man renowned for his harsh judgment on violent videos. MPV went as far as to produce ‘18’ certificated sample sleeves, featuring Martin Buchan’s illustration of a half-mannequin/half Caroline Munro being menaced by a knife-wielding assailant. This release was ultimately scuppered before reaching the video market shelves.

Over the years other attempts have been made to secure a UK release — most notably from Exploited — which resulted in Maniac being officially rejected once again in December of 1998! Anchor Bay’s 2002 submission was more successful, but nonetheless censoriously judged, as 58 seconds were removed.

The uncensored version is now available on both Blu-Ray and DVD from the USA.

aka : —

cast : Joe Spinell, Caroline Munro, Gail Lawrence, Tom Savini, Kelly Piper, Hyla Marrow, Rita Montone, James Brewster, Linda Lee Walter, Tracie Evans, Sharon Mitchell, Carol Henry, Nelia Bacmeister, Louis Jawitz, Denise Spagnuolo, Billy Spagnuolo, Frank Pesce, Candace Clements, Diana Spagnuolo, Kim Hudson