Maniac

1980
R
1h 27m

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

21K

YOUR RATING

Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment

Play trailer1:34

2 Videos

99+ Photos

Serial Killer Slasher Horror Splatter Horror Crime Drama Horror Thriller

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

21K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Videos2

Photos130

+ 122

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The House by the Cemetery

Storyline

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Did you know

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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 reviews260

Review

Featured 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.).