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Maniac Reviews

1980

50
from 788 members

Frank Zito (Joe Spinell), a man who was abused by his mother as a child, takes out his frustrations on innocent women. He scalps them and uses their hair to make wigs for his mannequins. Upon its release in 1980, this film was accused by critics of taking the slasher film and its accompanying gore effects to new, unpleasantly .. Read more

Starring	Joe Spinell, Caroline Munro, Gail Lawrence, Kelly Piper
Director	William Lustig
Genres	Horror

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Most helpful member's review of Maniac
View all members' reviews (28)
- - 24
  - 5
  At last a so called &...
  
  At last a so called " Video nasty " that has been released uncut. We have a stalk and slash film with a real difference. This is the story of Frank ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 26325
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Magicmanx#1
  - BROADSTONE
  - 20 Dec 2003 at 13:13
Most recent members' reviews of Maniac
View all members' reviews (28)
- - 0
  - 0
  If you like this you must be a Maniac
  
  I nearly bought this in the early days of the net due to being banned in the UK - Thank god I didn't
  
  The only saving grace are some rather ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1106722
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Kusanagiguy
  - 37 reviews
  - London
  - 29 Mar 2012 at 21:52
- - 0
  - 3
  Savini's magic almost saves this turdfest
  
  With only a couple of tense moments, this movie has nothing to offer other than Savini's outrageously gory, special effects.
  
  Report this review
- 1056991
- - ArgentoArmy
  - 6 reviews
  - Wokingham
  - 30 Oct 2011 at 18:28
- - 0
  - 1
  Worth a watch
  
  Well I have to say, barring the final 15 minutes or so, this is a bit of a stinker of a horror movie that chucks in a few moments that will make you jump and/or... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1051757
- - J0n35y
  - 2 reviews
  - 15 Oct 2011 at 21:50
- - 3
  - 0
  an x-rated mannequin
  
  I love Joe Spinell in this movie, he carries of the nut job very well (Jonathan Switcher can but dream). The film doesnt break any new ground, but you wouldnt ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1002732
- - adamlikesthings
  - 11 reviews
  - St. Andrews
  - 09 Jun 2011 at 19:51
- - 0
  - 0
  Kind of shocking (for it’s time)
  
  Picture the scene: it’s the eighties, slasher films are sort of taking off and everything in new. Therefore, when someone asks, “Is Maniac gory?”... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 972266
- - TheWatchman
  - 213 reviews
  - Suburbia
  - 12 Mar 2011 at 10:15
- - 0
  - 2
  Keep your hair on!
  
  Frank Zito is the Maniac, he's got issues with his mother which manifest themselves in killing and scalping women.
  
  He kills a couple of men as ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 944579
- - PJshadow
  - 195 reviews
  - Leeds
  - 04 Dec 2010 at 17:14
- - 0
  - 7
  b------ks c----p
  
  if i had known this was a film of the 80s i would not have bothered with this tripe the first 10mins i was interested but as the film wore on it was really ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 848863
- - a customer
  - London
  - 13 Jan 2010 at 21:26
- - 1
  - 0
  suitable deranged
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  A heavy set (well played) loner with tits bigger than his victims and a mother fixation goes around killing young women, scalping them and then dressing ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 725457
- - a customer
  - London
  - 13 Mar 2009 at 11:22
- - 0
  - 0
  If you like this sort of thing...
  
  This is a very good horror film.
  
  It is well directed, Joe Spinell is brilliantly cast (OK, there is some ropey acting, but it's low budget, what ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 608769
- - fin25
  - 3 reviews
  - Leicester
  - 05 Aug 2008 at 16:43
- - 0
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  i actually liked this film,it has a simple plot,the main character is creepy but cunning...if u like seeing woman bumped off this film is for u..far worse and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 579555
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22
View all members' reviews (28)

- - 24
  - 5
  At last a so called &...
  
  At last a so called " Video nasty " that has been released uncut. We have a stalk and slash film with a real difference. This is the story of Frank ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 26325
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Magicmanx#1
  - BROADSTONE
  - 20 Dec 2003 at 13:13
- - 5
  - 1
  Be aware...Maniac may be next to you.
  
  Really ,really scary- I have seen lots of horror movies-including snuff and b-movies - but nothing compares to this.I loved the fact that apart from just ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 318
- - a customer
  - D-London
  - 05 Nov 2003 at 20:34
- - 3
  - 0
  Sheer Rubbish
  
  Very dated and boring movie that had everyone falling asleep. Would not recommend this to anyone. The acting, storyline, filming all depicts the time it was ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 89847
- - a customer
  - Hampshire, England
  - 07 Apr 2005 at 20:18
- - 3
  - 0
  utter rubish
  
  no story line to follow and low budget filming and acting dont waste your time
  
  Report this review
- 130352
- - a customer
  - not where i wanna be
  - 02 Aug 2005 at 20:14
- - 3
  - 0
  an x-rated mannequin
  
  I love Joe Spinell in this movie, he carries of the nut job very well (Jonathan Switcher can but dream). The film doesnt break any new ground, but you wouldnt ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1002732
- - adamlikesthings
  - 11 reviews
  - St. Andrews
  - 09 Jun 2011 at 19:51
- - 3
  - 1
  Interesting And Watchable
  
  Interesting and believeable tale of a very disturbed man, haunted by childhood memories who goes on a killing spree.
  
  The movie does look quite dated... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 2809
- - Garrie Lines
  - Devon, England
  - 03 Mar 2004 at 22:27
- - 3
  - 1
  Dirty down horror
  
  This was much maligned on release but actually stands up better now than it did then. Compared to the modern glossy Hollywood horror movie this is refreshingly ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 24002
- - Melon
  - East Sussex
  - 03 Nov 2004 at 14:54
- - 3
  - 1
  This film has to be ...
  
  This film has to be the daddy of all slash movies and I can understand the criticism leveeled at it on its release , Yes it does copy other slash films and it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 53011
- - Oscar#1
  - OSSETT
  - 12 Nov 2004 at 14:19
- - 2
  - 0
  Extreme and bizarre
  
  A film I'd never heard of until recently, but suprised me when I watched through it had the feel of a resonable quality production.
  
  Not Stars ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 323274
- - KingFrat
  - essex
  - 15 Feb 2005 at 22:52
- - 2
  - 0
  Crud
  
  A distubing film.Badly made , freaky soundtrack and one very screwed up main character.
  
  Save yourself 90 minutes and avoid.Total pooh from start to ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 432259
- - a customer
  - Belfast
  - 21 Apr 2007 at 17:06

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