Robert Englund Movies
Robert Englund began his acting training at age 12, taking drama courses at the University of Oakland, U.C.L.A., California State-Northridge, the Michigan Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the Rochester, NY, branch of R.A.D.A. Englund made his first professional appearance in a Cleveland production of Godspell. His first film role was the bumptious backwoodsman Whitey in Buster and Billie (1974), after which he paid his dues in a series of villainous bit parts: shooting down Burt Reynolds at the end of Hustle (1975); beating up Kris Kristofferson in A Star is Born (1976); and so on. In 1984, he was cast as Willie, one of the few sympathetic Earth-invading extraterrestrials in the sci-fi TV miniseries V.Impressed by this performance, director Wes Craven buried Englund under several layers of latex and collodion and cast him as malevolent, mass-murdering wraith Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). The actor became an instant star, appearing in five Nightmare sequels, hosting a 1988 television spin-off, and basking in the glow of a plenitude of fan clubs. Although Freddy's only redeeming quality was his morbid sense of humor, Englund became an idol to the young, who emulated the actor each Halloween donning Freddy masks and plastic claws. Far from concerned that this idolatry might lead to delinquency, Englund allowed that he enjoyed playing Freddy, and felt pride at having created so memorable a screen persona. (In all fairness, he also emphasized to his most impressionable fans that it was all play-acting, and that his homicidal tendencies were strictly confined to the screen.) Unlike such horror icons of the past as Boris Karloff and Vincent Price, however, Englund was not able to shed his famous character's image when he wanted to move on to other roles. Outside of his Nightmare appearances, Englund's most significant credits were his one-shot directorial stint on the theatrical feature 976-EVIL (1988); his characterization of the title role in a medium-budget film adaptation of Phantom of the Opera (1989); and his hosting chores on the Craven-produced TV anthology Nightmare Café (1992). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Eighteen years after making his feature directorial debut with the satanic telephone shocker 976-Evil, screen legend Robert England steps back behind the camera to call the shots for this story of a Hollywood Hills home with a particularly dark past. When three best friends score a big insurance claim, they decide that it's time to purchase their own place and finally fly away from the nest. Though rumors persist that they may be getting more than they bargained for, youthful enthusiasm wins out over good judgment and their initial excitement soon gives way to inescapable terror. Daniel Franzese, Eric Jungman, and Shane McRae star in a film featuring Joey Lawrence, Andy Milonakis, and Lin Shaye. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daniel Franzese, Eric Jungmann, (more)
A dark cloud of death descends upon a small town when a swarm of genetically modified wasps take to the sky in this sci-fi shocker featuring A Nightmare on Elm Street star Robert Englund. Devin Hall (Sebastien Roberts) has seen his fair share of hostile insects. An exterminator who specializes in ridding the world of household pests, Devin gets the fright of his life when he witnesses a homeless man attacked by a swarm of particularly aggressive wasps. Convinced that something sinister is afoot, the rattled exterminator enlists the aid of new Deputy Sheriff Jane Kozik (Sarah Allen) and associate professor of entomology Katherine Randall (Jayne Heitmeyer) in stopping the swarm before it gets stronger. Later, when Jane's curious daughter Kelsey strikes up a conversation with eccentric wasp keeper Eli (Englund), an already troubling situation becomes absolutely terrifying. It seems that the mutant wasps are turning their victims into drones. Is there any hope of stopping this government-created weapon before everyone in Black Stone becomes human incubators for the next wave, or has the initial swarm already grown too powerful to defeat by conventional means? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sebastien Roberts, Sarah Allen, (more)
When a notorious serial killer is strapped into the electric chair and blasted with 10,000 volts, the invigorating jolt merely heightens his already insatiable bloodlust in this gruesome, hospital-bound shocker featuring horror icon Robert Englund. Chambers (James Binkley) has inflicted some of the most horrific atrocities ever documented on his fellow man, and now it's Sheriff Berger (Englund)'s job to ensure that Chambers never again has the opportunity to torment and terrorize society. It was supposed to be a routine execution, and neither Sheriff Berger nor the doomed patients of the hospital where Chamber's charred corpse was taken could have foreseen the horror that awaited them. When Chambers escapes from the morgue and sets out on a bloody rampage in the locked-down hospital, it's up to Sheriff Berger, petrified patients Sara Wexler (Meredith Henderson) and Walter (Nathan Stephenson), and the brave Nurse Grafton (Laura DeCarteret) to put a permanent end to Chamber's brutal reign of bloodshed. A deadly dose of electricity has transformed Chambers into much more than your average madman, though, and with each new victim his supernatural abilities only seem to grow. After dispatching with Sheriff Berger, it becomes increasingly obvious that the killer shares an unholy bond with hospital patient Sara. Now, with time running out and no place to run, Sara and Walter must learn to defeat an otherworldly evil before it grows too powerful to destroy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund, Meredith Henderson, (more)
- 2005
The horror film The Last Horror Picture Show concerns a group of friends who decide to go sightseeing at the real location of their favorite horror movie, "The Barbecue Massacre." While there, they stumble upon the family of psychotics whose grizzly work inspired the film. Soon the killers are taking out members of the group in a variety of horrific ways. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2003
The Italian filmmaking team of Daniele Cipri and Franco Maresco is responsible for the satirical comedy Return of Cagliostro, set in Palermo during the late '40s. Luigi Maria Burruano and Franco Scaldati play a pair of brothers who decide to start up a film production company called Trinacria Films with money from corrupt politicians and religious leaders. The brothers don't know much about filmmaking, so they decide to do a remake of a popular adventure film about a magician named Cagliostro. They get American star Erroll Douglas (Robert Englund, also known as Freddy Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street) to play the lead role. With an incompetent director (Pietro Giordano) and serious language barriers, the film's production results in catastrophe. Return of Cagliostro was shown in the Upstream program of the 2003 Venice Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund, Luigi Maria Burruano, (more)
- 2002
In the first episode of a two-part story, Justice League member Wonder Woman returns to Paradise Island, home of her fellow Amazons, in hopes of mending fences with her estranged mother. Upon arrival, she is shocked to discover that the Amazons have all been "petrified" into statues -- the handiwork of evil sorcerer Felix Faust. If she wants to save her friends and loved ones, Wonder Woman must help Felix find three precious artifacts -- but where are they, and why does he want them? The Green Lantern and Hawkgirl do not appear in this story arc. Both episodes of "Paradise Lost" were released on DVD in tandem with another Justice League two-parter, "War World," in July of 2003. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund, Susan Sullivan, (more)
- 2002
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Wonder Woman must bend to the will of evil sorcerer Felix Faust, who has transformed her mother and the rest of the Amazons of Paradise Island into statues. Felix wants to get his hands on three ancient artifacts and demands that Wonder Woman find them for him. By the time the Justice League (minus Green Lantern and Hawkgirl) has arrived on Paradise Island to lend Wonder Woman a hand, another mega-villain, Lord Hades, has become involved in the intrigue! Both episodes of "Paradise Lost" were released on DVD in tandem with another Justice League two-parter, "War World," in July of 2003. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund, Susan Sullivan, (more)
- 2002
Small-town insurance adjustor Macbeth (Cary Elwes) is swindled into signing over a one-million-dollar policy to trailer park harlot Sally (Mary Steenburgen), who then hires a seductive hit woman, Jupiter (Elaine Hendrix), to kill him. But the ruthless Jupiter, who specializes in slaying cheating husbands, falls for hapless, poetry-reciting Macbeth, so Sally goes to Plan B. Before long, the entire town of deeply disturbed eccentrics is involved. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cary Elwes
- 2001
Robert Englund, the inimitable "Freddy Krueger" of Nightmare on Elm Street fame, is cast to type in this Charmed episode as the demon Gamill. Choosing "Charmed One" Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) as his victim, Gamill shrinks the girl to the size of five inches, then uses her as bait to lure Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Paige (Rose McGowan) into a trap. Ultimately, all three girls are magically miniaturized -- but is it possible that they can they use their diminished size to their advantage in vanquishing the malevolent Gamill? ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Julian McMahon, (more)
Master thief Ace Logan (Casper Van Dien) and his partner Scratch (Robert Englund) are caught after a wild chase as they attempt to rob the vault of a casino on a tropical island. But instead of landing in prison, the casino owner (Ray Wise) inexplicably hires them to become security specialists who catch cheating gamblers. This doesn't sit well with the head of security (Gregg Henry) who hates him, but it suits Amber (Libby Hudson), a casino executive with a crush on Ace, just fine. Meanwhile, there's another plot to rob the casino, and a hurricane is gathering force on the horizon. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Casper Van Dien, Gregg Henry, (more)
- 1997
Al (Ed O'Neill) sells his soul to Lucifer (played by Robert Englund of "Freddy Krueger" fame) for a chance to play with the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately for Lucifer, Al rather enjoys living in Hell, so His Satanic Majesty must think up a more distasteful form of damnation--such as an eternity of residing in the Bundy home with Peg and the kids. Initially conceived as a two-parter, this episode was originally a component of the Fox network's "Mask Week", commemorating the network debut of that 1994 Jim Carrey film by outfitting several shows with Mask-like special effects. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Having agreed to take charge of the Rangers, Delenn risks death at the hands of a unknown adversary. And while exploring the inner regions of B5, Garibaldi stumbles across a secret level that has been sealed off for years. Robert Englund of "Freddy Kruger" fame is cast as cult leader Jeremiah. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Grey 17 is Missing" made its TV debut in the United Kingdom on August 26, 1996. The episode's American release was held up until October 7 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
A hellish piece of professional laundry equipment wreaks havoc in a tiny New England town in this horror film. It all begins in The Blue Ribbon Laundry, a place run by the ruthless, crippled old Bill Gartley. With no feelings at all for his employees, he demands absolute obedience and unrelenting hard work. One day an old speed iron goes crazy, sucks in and permanently presses a hapless worker. The rest of the crew is frightened and in shock, but this does not stop old Gartley from cruelly ordering them back to work. A police officer investigates the case and begins suspecting that the sinister owner is concealing something. When a boy suffocates in an abandoned refrigerator that had somehow come in contact with the speed iron, the cop calls in his friend the theoretical parapsychologist who deduces that there is a "transference of evil" going on. Meanwhile, Gartley is putting the moves on comely Lin Sue; he also is interested in messing with his own niece. Both girls have been harmed by the evil iron and have contributed some of their precious blood to it. It is the cop who discovers that in order for Gartley to remain successful, he must see that the demonic machine periodically receives such sacrificial donations. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Made for television, The Unspoken Truth is the factual story of Brianne Hawkins (Lea Thompson), who after enduring a lifetime of abuse at the hands of her family marries the even more abusive Clay Hawkins (James Marshall). Given to beating his wife at the slightest provocation, Clay finally goes completely over the edge when he shoots and kills a man who had the temerity to speak to Brianne without Clay's permission. Thinking quickly for a change, Clay persuades Brianne to take the rap for the killing, whereupon she complicity (if not willingly) concocts an elaborate story as to how she shot the man accidentally. Not only do the authorities refuse to swallow this fabrication, but they end up sending both Clay and Brianne to prison for life! Only when the future of her daughter, Lily (Karis Paige Bryant), is jeopardized does the long-suffering Brianne finally work up the courage to fight for her freedom and her long-denied fundamental rights as a human being. A shocking mid-film revelation elevates this story from the usual battered-wife TV-movie syndrome. Filmed on location in Austin, TX, The Unspoken Truth originally aired September 24, 1995, on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lea Thompson, Patricia Kalember, (more)
- 1993
In this tale of terror, a young woman finds herself forced into becoming an unwilling disciple of a descendant of the Marquis de Sade. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund, Zoe Trilling, (more)
- 1990
No one should have been surprised that the Nightmare on Elm Street horror-flick series would spawn a weekly TV anthology. Nor was anyone amazed that the TV version wasn't quite up to the gory level of the original. Still, the 44-episode Freddy's Nightmares had plenty of shocks and scares for the unwary. On this evening's program, the repulsive Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) explains how he became the bon vivant and fashion plate whom we know and hate so well. Freddy's ramblings lead into the evening's drama, all about a fellow who decides that the best way to get ahead is to stomp on everyone in his path. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Freddy's Nightmares was a two-season TV anthology, loosely inspired by the Nightmare on Elm Street movie series. Robert Englund hosted as the unspeakable Freddy Krueger, spiked glove and all. The TV program was never quite as gruesome as its movie counterpart, but it was still not to be watched alone on a gloomy night. In "Lucky Stiff", Freddy prattles on about a young woman who wins a lottery. As the subsequent drama unfolds, we learn that our heroine's windfall was anything but lucky. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
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Controversial and often offensive stand-up comedian Andrew Dice Clay made his debut as a feature film star in this crude comedy. Fairlane is a "rock and roll detective" who works in the music business, has an office on Sunset Boulevard, and drives a 1957 Ford, with clothing to match. He floats through the rock clubs of Hollywood, picking up women and clients, and soon stumbles into a case involving the death of a heavy metal singer, a corrupt music executive (Wayne Newton), the murder of a radio shock-jock (Gilbert Gottfried), and the kidnapping of the jock's daughter (Maddie Corman). Music stars like Sheila E. and Motley Crue singer Vince Neil also have cameos in the film, which attempts to transplant Clay's aggressively obnoxious stage persona into a movie environment. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andrew Dice Clay, Wayne Newton, (more)
- 1990
To allay potential criticism of the Freddy's Nightmares TV anthology, executive producer Wes Craven attached a disclaimer. Unlike the Nightmare on Elm Street films that spawned the series, Freddy's Nightmares would never depict the murder of anyone under the age of 18. Thank goodness for small favors. In this 60-minute episode, the unspeakable Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) decides to celebrate Halloween with a few "friends". He throws an impromptu party in a medical school morgue, whereupon the script segues into the evening's drama, all about a trick-or-treat scheme which goes horribly awry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
"Dreams That Kill" is an episode of the syndicated TV anthology Freddy's Nightmares. You've guessed it; the series was spun off from the popular (and gruesome) Nightmare on Elm Street films. Robert Englund repeats his screen role as the hideous Freddy Krueger, though he's not quite as homicidal on the small screen. In this 60-minute installment, Freddy announces that he wants to become a talk show host. This devices segue into the evening's drama, a story of...well, of dreams that kill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The hideously charred face, blazing eyes, and razor-enhanced glove of "dream demon" Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund remain essential ingredients to Freddy's Nightmares as the weekly, hour-long horror series launches its second season. As before, Freddy's "role" in the proceedings varies from story to story: In some instances, he is the instigator of the terrible nightmares that drive the various characters to madness, murder or death; in other cases, he is merely a sidelines observer, providing grimly sarcastic narration to the terrors at hand. Also carried over from Season One is the series basic format of offering two half-hour playlets per 60 minute episode, thinly connected by having one of the "survivors" of the horrors in Part One turning up as the "victim" in Part Two. And finally, the series' producers hold firm to their policy of never killing off any character under the age of 18, thereby (hopefully) quelling complaints from various clean-up-TV pressure groups that the series is too intense for younger viewers. Though a bit light on "star" names in the cast rosters, the episodes presented in Season Two still feature a number of instantly recognizable performers. "Heartbreak Hotel" is an interesting exercise in "other-generational" casting, featuring Anne Lockhart, daughter of June Lockhart, and Stacy Keach Sr. rather than the better-known Stacy Keach Jr.. TV archivists should enjoy the teaming of David L. Lander, aka "Squiggy" on Laverne and Shirley, and Mary Crosby, otherwise known as the Girl Who Shot J.R. on Dallas, in "Lucky Stiff". Tony Dow, the former "Wally Cleaver" on Leave It to Beaver, shows up in "Prime Cut." And action-film perennial Sandahl Bergman is the focal point in "Dust to Dust". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund
- 1988
"It's My Party and You'll Die If I Want You To" was one of the earlier entries of the 44-episode TV anthology Freddie's Nightmares. If you've guessed that this syndicated series was a spin-off of the Nightmare on Elm Street films, you're right. You're also right if you've deduced that the hideous Freddy Krueger -- aka Robert Englund -- is the host. This time out, Freddy materializes at his 20-year high school reunion. After a few wretched puns about death and murder, Freddy introduces us to the evening's drama: the story of a high school nerd's revenge, two decades after the fact. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
The first season of the horror anthology Freddy's Nightmares begins with a revisionary rehash of the premise established in the original Nightmare on Elm Street film series, as multiple murderer Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), released from prison on a technically, falls victim to the vigilante justice meted out by the outraged residents of Elm Street in the town of Springwood. Freddy's "death", however, is hardly the end of the story: Burned virtually beyond recognition and sporting a glove with long, deadly razors where his fingernails should be, Freddy returns in a "dream demon" form to induce unspeakable nightmares in the minds of the Springwood citizenry. Though several of Freddy's victims die horribly as a result, no teenagers are killed in the TV version of the popular movie franchise--a marked contrast to the mortality rate amongst the teen characters in the original films. Each of Season One's episodes is divided into two half-hour segments, with one of the survivors of the terrors depicted in the first half of the story becoming the main victim in the second half. In most cases, Freddy is the catalyst for the stories: inducing grim dreams in the mind of an overworked medical student in one episode, playing one twin against the other to destroy their policeman father in another episode, and so on. In other instances, Freddy serves only as narrator, taking no active part in the mayhem. Among the more recognizable actors appearing in the first season of Freddy's Nightmares are Brad Pitt (in the episode "Black Tickets"), Susan Oliver, George Lazenby, Mariska Hargitay, Lori Petty, Page Hannah, Brett Cullen, Timothy Bottoms, Nancy Linari, Jeffrey Combs, and that ubiquitous cult favorite, Dick Miller. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund
- 1987
Photographer Lee Horsley is married to Kirstie Alley. After suffering a miscarriage, Alley treats Horsely with Fridgidaire-level coldness. He finds solace in an affair with Laurie O'Brien-who happens to be Alley's best friend. Oddly enough, this humorless domestic drama was advertised in TV Guide with all-smiles photos of its stars. Made for television, Infidelity premiered April 13, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Sponsored by the publishers of Fangoria magazine, this documentary explores the world of horror-film conventions. Interviewed are such celebrities as make-up expert Tom Savini and directors Tobe Hooper and Wes Craven. ~ Brian Gusse, All Movie Guide
