Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Savage Weekend Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 3, 2015

While “Savage Weekend” is often left out of any conversation concerning slasher cinema, it holds a unique position in the subgenre, offering horror entertainment that concerns the killing spree of a disguised killer, with the production dating back to 1976 (the film was ultimately released in 1980). Pieced together before “Halloween” spawned hundreds of imitators, “Savage Weekend” is somewhat ahead of its time, with writer/director David Paulsen managing a deadly journey into rural America, where a pack of sex-crazed adults engage in secretive couplings as a murderer in a clown mask emerges from the shadows. It’s not rocket science, but Paulsen doesn’t always know what type of movie he’s making, caught between bloodletting duty and his interest in nudity.

In the midst of a bitter divorce from Greg (Jeff Pomerantz), Marie (Marilyn Hamlin) is ready to get away for the weekend with boyfriend Robert (Jim Doerr), traveling to upstate New York with friend Nicky (Christopher Allport) and sister Shirley (Caitlin O’Heaney). Arriving at a remote house, Robert is ready to check in on the construction of his boat, overseen by pal Jay (Devin Goldenberg) and built by local weirdo, Otis (William Sanderson). As the weekend commences, leisure reigns, finding Marie targeted for seduction by lumberman Mac (David Gale), while Jay and Shirley embark on an affair, trying to keep their carnal appetites out of sight. Leaving Otis behind to do his work and converse with his dead relatives, the gang makes plans for dinner and revelry, with their evening cut short by a masked killer who’s slowly but surely murdering the guests.

Paulsen isn’t one to craft a tasteful, composed opening, commencing “Savage Weekend” with a chase through a forest, punctuated with Otis wielding a chainsaw. Perhaps frightened of losing the viewer with delayed carnage, Paulsen accelerates immediately, only to slow back down again as character introductions are made. Strangely, this burst of bewildering violence is the last bit of action the movie sees for nearly an hour, with the exception of a flashback sequence that finds Otis branding a local woman for her promiscuous ways, tagging her with a flesh-searing “H” for “whore.” Otis isn’t a smart man. Actually, he’s the primary suspect throughout “Savage Weekend,” with his open contempt for the visitors and his daily conversations with the dead used as a red herring in an endeavor that could use a few more of them.

“Savage Weekend” doesn’t have a lot of misdirection to enjoy, and nothing truly of note happens in the screenplay. Trying to be atmospheric, Paulsen encourages stasis, keeping suspense at a bare minimum as the characters work out the details of their dance of the pants, with sex the primary focus of the film for most of its run time. “Savage Weekend” is surprisingly soft-core, with plenty of grinding and bare skin put on display. Seduction doesn’t come through with the same intensity, with the picture hitting unintentional hilarity as Marie enters a cow barn (gross) to make her play for Mac, sending a direct signal of intention to the eager man by stroking a bovine teat seductively (again, gross). The feature doesn’t generate much heat, but it tries to be titillating for its young audience, keeping breasts exposed and men predatory.

“Savage Weekend” finally gets going in the last act, following the killer as he stalks around the property, taking victims, some through elaborate schemes of suffering. It’s not terribly effective, but any type of energy is welcome here, giving Paulsen something to do besides ogle women. And for horror fanatics, this example of slasher formula before the trend fully ignited is worth a look, watching the production work out the mechanics of scares, only to fumbling timing and intensity.

Savage Weekend Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is most certainly the best this public domain title is ever going to look on home video, with Scorpion Releasing doing what they can with a problematic source. Damage is evident, and scratches and speckling remain. And there's a fine layer of vertical lines that sustains throughout the viewing experience, but, again, they're very faint. "Savage Weekend" looks very filmic, with pleasing grain and a nice refreshing of colors, finding primaries appealing and greenery passably buoyant. Skintones are also ample and true. Detail is generally quite good for a softly shot feature, bringing out particulars on the parade of nude bodies, while the masked killer is explored with rubbery textures. Delineation isn't a concern, with low-lit encounters defined to satisfaction.

Savage Weekend Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix only carries as far as the inherent recording allows, with a few passages of dialogue swallowed by background noise. Dramatics aren't entirely ruined, with performances largely intact, feeling around the horror range without triggering distortion. Scoring is pronounced, carrying a bigness that's periodically intrusive, but rarely unwelcome, helping develop the film's mood. Atmospherics are limited, but exterior visits remain evocative, with water and creatures identifiable. Hiss is present throughout.

Savage Weekend Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (18:12, HD) with William Sanderson finds the actor in a slightly hesitant mood, unsure if he can recall anything about a movie he shot four decades ago. Friendly but a little weirded out by the interview process, Sanderson delivers his perspective on the shoot, discussing his commitment to the script and filmmaking education, dealing with co-stars and dangerous props. The conversation eventually turns to other professional achievements.

• Interview (24:32, HD) with Caitlin O'Heaney is a lively chat with the actress, who shares cautious enthusiasm for "Savage Weekend," which represented her chance to move from stage to screen acting and join SAG. Discussing co-stars and the crew, O'Heaney is honest about the low-budget nature of the shoot and her place in the work, eventually going on to do other horror efforts -- a genre she dislikes. The talk comes alive when O'Heaney walks through her filmography, including her time on the underrated 1987 comedy, "Three O'Clock High."

• Interview (17:16, HD) with Jeff Pomerantz is interesting, as the actor isn't particularly proud of his association with "Savage Weekend," looking confused as he's asked to discuss a film he put behind him a long time ago. Pomerantz is game but doesn't add much to the discussion, showing more enthusiasm for other highlights of his career, including his part in the "Hollywood Says No to Drugs" movement in the 1980s.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:50, HD) is included.

Savage Weekend Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Savage Weekend" can be a trying sit, stoking frustrations as Paulsen delays picking a direction for the effort. It's low-budget work and looks it, offering limited locations and scripting, but it strives to make the best out of a difficult situation by staging a bar fight and backwoods threat from a tobacco juice-spitting menace. Perhaps "Savage Weekend" is meant only for those with an interest in horror history, offering a rudimentary look at a violent routine that would eventually dominate the better part of the next decade.