Madman Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Madman Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 16, 2015

Created during a fertile period in slasher film distribution, 1982’s “Madman” takes a slightly different route than the average kill-all-the-campers genre offering. Rooted in urban legend idolatry and executed with the slow-burn build of a campfire tale, the feature hopes to creep out audiences with prolonged silences and extended stalking sequences. Patience levels are periodically tested during the run time, but as the effort unfolds, there’s an appreciation for frights and atmosphere that keeps the picture interesting when it stops being engaging. Perhaps it doesn’t reach the iconic highs of “Friday the 13th,” but “Madman” has its simple pleasures, including attention to character and an unusual interest in music to help secure its creepy intent.

At a camp for gifted children, owner Max (Carl Fredricks) shares a particularly graphic story around the campfire one evening, detailing the horrific antics of killer Madman Marz, a farmer who slaughtered his entire family in a nearby house. Blowing off the tale of entertainment, the counselors prepare for a night of romance, with T.P. (Tony Fish) hoping to patch things up with Betsy (“Dawn of the Dead” star Gaylen Ross, billed here as “Alexis Dubin”), while Stacy (Harriet Bass) is eager to find a lover, and couple Ellie (Jan Claire) and Bill (Alex Murphy) sneak away to have sex. For camper Richie (Tom Candela), interest in Marz’s home pulls him into danger, making horrific discoveries as the killer returns to duty, picking off the staff one by one as the night turns into a bloodbath.

“Madman” opens with a campfire scene, watching T.P. creep out gathered staff and campers with a song about murder. It’s a tune that acts as a flash-forward for director Joe Giannone, who edits in future panic for the characters, hitting the viewer with unknown sights for disorientation purposes, creating unrest right off the bat. The performance segues into Max’s telling of the Madman Marz legend, establishing the killer’s diseased mind and his interest in executing those who call his name. “Madman” sets its tone early, mixing ghoulish imagery concerning Marz’s ax-based killing methods with Max’s dramatic performance, watching the older man attempt to unsettle younger campers. The unusual launch (coupled with graphic-based opening titles and a synth-heavy score by Stephen Horelick) gives “Madman” a real personality while playing with genre traditions, establishing Marz as a grotesque ghoul with no nose, and the campers as a tight bunch about to embark on an average evening of sleep and sex.

Of course, this quiet night ends up a massacre, yet the screenplay takes a few moments to secure characters, watching T.P. deal with issues of possessiveness regarding Betsy, while Stacy is no rush to fall into a relationship, sharing her need for sexual freedom with anyone who will listen. These aren’t NASA interns, but a chance to understand concerns before the slaughterama begins is always welcome, and some time is spent with the younger campers, with Richie unwisely heading out into the night, searching for evidence of Marz. It’s an inelegant script, dealing with teen horndog clichés and bad ideas, but the first act of “Madman” is effective at setting up the victims before they meet gruesome ends.

Violence is important to Giannone, who labors to keep up with trends by stirring his own brew of aggression. A hanging is staged, the ax (given Arthurian properties when Marz easily pulls the tool out of an impossibly strong stump) is driven into numerous bodies, and one poor soul is dispatched by a slammed car hood. It’s not particularly vivid horror, but it does the trick, with close-ups of squirting wounds and squishy make-up work, while Marz himself is crafted with movie monster intent, studying close-ups of missing flesh and gray skin, although most of the villain’s screentime is spent in the shadows, finding the production trying to create an aura of menace before unleashing him with active soundtrack stings.

Silliness remains in “Madman,” including a weird obsession with showing off T.P.’s personalized belt buckle, and there’s an extended hot tub romp with T.P. and Betsy that plays like soft-core porn, carrying on a little too long. In fact, everything in “Madman” slips into slow motion, finding stalking sequences almost reaching parody in their delayed response, with one too many long walks into dark corners slowing the feature to a crawl, lacking tight timing and suspense. The movie has its creepy moments, but too often they’re telegraphed by Giannone’s pauses, taking terror out of the picture before it has a chance to be exploited in full.

Madman Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation most certainly represents the best "Madman" has looked since its theatrical debut. Limitations in original cinematography and negative care are apparent, with vertical scratches periodically popping up, while softness dominates, leaving sharpness an impossibility. Vinegar Syndrome's care is evident throughout the viewing experience, finding thick grain nicely managed, delivering a pleasingly filmic look. Colors are stable and refreshed to satisfaction, with a sharp push of red to bring out the bizarre main titles and eventual bloodshed. Skintones are natural. "Madman" largely takes place in the woods with limited lighting, leaving delineation challenging, but frame information survives to a certain degree.

Madman Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA does what it can with the feature's limited soundscape, offering slightly hushed but intelligible dialogue exchanges, finding intentional emphasis offering the most encouraging dramatic results. Scoring is hearty, with a deep synth throb carrying through the effort, offering the occasional sting to wake up the listener. Atmospherics aren't elaborate, yet outdoor details are enjoyable, adding to the isolation. Violent surges aren't powerful, but gurgling nuances are understood.

Madman Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (:50, HD) with producer Gary Sales welcomes viewers to the Blu-ray.

• Commentary #1 features Sales, director Joe Giannone, and actors Paul Ehlers and Tony Fish.

• Commentary #2 features The Hysteria Continues.

• "Madman: Alive at 35" (21:00, HD) returns to Sales and actors Tom Candela and Paul Ehlers, who come together once again to discuss the making of "Madman." Talk of fan art, seasonal concerns during production (requiring the spray painting of leaves to keep up the greenery), and the enduring legacy of the picture is included.

• "The Early Career of Gary Sales" (14:15, HD) sits down with the "Madman" producer, who shares his early years in film school and a transition to adult movies to achieve industry experience. Talk of the "Madman" story and its roots in urban legend is shared as well.

• "The Legend Still Lives" (91:42, SD) is an extensive 2011 documentary covering the making of "Madman," featuring interviews with select cast and crew. With more time to explore the creation of "Madman," the doc digs into the history of the picture, which was once close to casting Vincent Price in the role of Max. Footage of Sales and Ehlers visiting the original location is a hoot, and time with superfans and horror bloggers reveals the deep love for the feature that continues decades after its original release.

• Stills & Artwork Gallery (7:20) covers production and publicity pictures, along with newspaper ads and reviews. Commentary by Sales is provided.

• "Music Inspired by 'Madman'" (13:17) highlights fan submissions, hearing a handful of homemade tunes that utilize the picture's atmosphere to fuel grim lyrics.

• "In Memoriam" (5:46, SD) returns to Sales, who discusses the work of Giannone and actor Tony Fish, while a brief mention of Carl Fredericks's 2012 passing is included.

• "Dead Pit Interviews Gary Sales" (3:37, SD) is a 2008 chat with the producer at a horror convention.

• "Dead Pit Interviews Paul Ehlers" (5:15, SD) finds the titular monster at the same convention, who shares news that a "Madman" remake is on the way, scripted by his son.

• T.V. Spots (1:59, SD) offer five promotional clips.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:48, HD) is included.

Madman Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Inspired by the urban legend of the Cropsey Maniac, "Madman" is at its best when delivering campfire chills, playing around with threats of murder from a mysterious monster. Anything more tends to overwhelm the production, which fatigues easily. Still, genre fans will likely be charmed by the feature, debating its place in slasher history and respecting its ability to shake up campsite horror expectations for a brief period of time.