Maniac! (1980) Reviews

Maniac! (1980)
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Joe Spinell, who appeared in Taxi Driver, stars in this unsavory horror film as Frank Zito, a character reminiscent of an even more disturbed Travis Bickle. Frank is an embittered loser who talks to himself and his dead mother, stalks a pretty model (Caroline Munro), and spends his spare time brutally murdering women. He then scalps his victims and puts the trophies on mannequins which he takes to bed with him at night. An unpleasant film with a relentlessly downbeat tone, Maniac! features graphic, bloody special-effects makeup by cult favorite Tom Savini, who meets a gruesome end in a cameo as "Disco Boy." Highlights include a realistic scalping by Exacto knife and an exploding head. The ending takes an interesting twist as Spinell hallucinates his victims returning to life and tearing him limb from limb. Spinell and Munro reteamed in 1982 for The Last Horror Film. Adult film star Sharon Mitchell (whom director William Lustig discovered in The Violation of Claudia) appears briefly as a nurse. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

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Starring:
Joe Spinell, Caroline Munro, (more)
Director(s):
William Lustig
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
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Average Ratings

(30 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Damon O.

Maniac at the time was too graphic to be released in theaters in 1980 but now it would fit right in. It lives up to it's name (ex. the shotgun scene). Joe Spinell gives a chilling performance as the title character. I'd recommend this to horror fans.

Yes   |   No


IDALMIS T.

I was hoping to like this movie, but I just didn't. It felt like the middle of a movie the entire time, although I did actually turn it off in the middle. The guy's creepy breathing annoyed me after a while. I do think Joe Spinell's acting was good, but overall I would not recommend.

Yes   |   No


JONATHAN R.

Can't leave out that Joe Spinell was Stallone's gangster boss in the original Rocky. Still some of Savini's best pre-CG effects and undoubtedly the greatest point blank shotgun death scene even filmed! Better in Blu-Ray! PS: He's a psychopathic overweight serial killer....you'd breath heavy too!

Yes   |   No


John S.

the first vhs i ever bought.........50.00 ! joe spinell is awesome,tom savini is great,caroline munro is cool.psycho kills in different and gruesome ways..not to be missed !!!!!!!

Yes   |   No


ANGEL R.

definetly an old school concept

Yes   |   No


MaryAnn A.

I could only bear to watch about 20 minutes of this movie and had to turn it off. I ditto the guys breathing as well, was really annoying!

Yes   |   No


Barbara B.

We were unable to watch the movie. It did not play at all, something was wrong with the disc. we did not see it so I can not rate it.

Yes   |   No


Maya W.

this is a totally awesome slasher film!! very creepy, and Spinell does a great job as the maniac. goes way over the top on gore, but in a good way. if you like these kinds of movies, go for it, but if your not sure, than just sleep with the light on.

Yes   |   No


Robert P.

As horror/slasher movies go, this one is pretty good. Made in 1980, the gore is pretty graphic. Joe Spinell makes a wonderful, creepy villain. Watch it.

Yes   |   No


Anthony M.

The stars are for only the gore and effects. Acting was horrible, bad ending, tacky story. There are better 80's slasher films out there.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
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    Damon O.

    Maniac at the time was too graphic to be released in theaters in 1980 but now it would fit right in. It lives up to it's name (ex. the shotgun scene). Joe Spinell gives a chilling performance as the title character. I'd recommend this to horror fans.

    Yes   |   No

     
    IDALMIS T.

    I was hoping to like this movie, but I just didn't. It felt like the middle of a movie the entire time, although I did actually turn it off in the middle. The guy's creepy breathing annoyed me after a while. I do think Joe Spinell's acting was good, but overall I would not recommend.

    Yes   |   No

     
    JONATHAN R.

    Can't leave out that Joe Spinell was Stallone's gangster boss in the original Rocky. Still some of Savini's best pre-CG effects and undoubtedly the greatest point blank shotgun death scene even filmed! Better in Blu-Ray! PS: He's a psychopathic overweight serial killer....you'd breath heavy too!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 30 Reviews
       

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