Started for health, ended with the question "What?"
This is the first film in my memory that mimics the slasher My Bloody Valentine. And that's pretty obvious.
Plot.
The first 35 minutes it was good for the slasher, but then the plot became boring. In it began to appear unnecessary scenes, strange moments and a lot of questions. Just so you know, I almost fell asleep again while watching the cemetery scene. I was so bored. Of the unnecessary, I can single out one where two random characters are looking for a place to retire (and it even lasts for a minute). It also has a very similar beginning to My Bloody Valentine. Here, too, someone is killed on Valentine's Day, canceled, a few years later, again resumed and again the killer appears. He just has a different motive.
Characters.
There's nothing to say about them. Just cannon fodder.
Maniac.
His appearance is one of the best in slashers. A soldier with pitchforks. It sounds weird, but it looks cool. But he doesn't scare you. But it is difficult to find out who is hiding behind the mask.
Murder.
Tom Savini was responsible for the makeup, of course they will look cool and cruel. My favorite here is the third murder. Only Savini could stab it with a knife to make it look scary. And that villa scene is the same. This is such a big plus for Tom.
Bottom line.
The Stranger is obsolete in many ways, but not in terms of murder. If you want to look at a bloody slasher, I recommend it, but if you wanted to see an interesting, catchy slasher that is not only murderous, then Stranger is not recommended.
Many years ago, a soldier, a participant of the Second World War, was abandoned by his fiancée, which he learned after he came from the front. After some time he killed her right at the prom, since then proms in this city were not held. However, when such an event was decided to celebrate with fanfare, the killings began again. Who's killing this time? Is the soldier back to continue his revenge, or is this time just a copycat who has personal scores with one of the students?
The famous slasher Joseph Zito came in the midst of the popularity of such paintings, the level of bloody effects eclipsed many of his colleagues in the shop. The murders here were carried out at the highest level, in this regard, especially remember the planting on the pitchfork of a girl in the bathroom. Nude, too, brought - lovers of such a spectacle is definitely worth watching a movie. The creators are not afraid of explicit scenes and frighteningly naturalistic scenes of death. The latter fact, in general, is not surprising, given the fact that Tom Savini worked on special effects.
The tape begins with an interesting and non-standard reception for films of this genre - a historical chronicle and a beautiful flashback in the distant past with all the attributes of those years. It is interesting and qualitative, and then events begin to unfold years later.
The image of the maniac is cool and unusual - most often these are either types in hoods / cloaks, or even ordinary people. Here the murderer wears a military suit and helmet and is armed with pitchforks - you can immediately see that the creators with all responsibility and imagination approached the embodiment of his image. He is agile, quick and makes a massacre very, very spectacular.
The performance of the actors is high-quality – the images turned out to be interesting and memorable, especially the local “scream queen”, the main character-blonde and her boyfriend-cop. In terms of acting, it is impossible to say that there was some revelation here, but everyone coped with their task without reproach.
Directing is smooth, standard, but in some places presents a couple of surprises - for example, an unusual beginning or bloody scenes of death. The camera captures the massacre and nudity when the plot demands it, and also at the right moments effectively demonstrates the killer in all its glory. The music is standard - orchestral changes in dynamics are used to create suspense, and Harry Manfredini-style "caustic" strings sound in scenes of the deaths of heroes at the hands of a murderer.
The disadvantages, perhaps, should be attributed, perhaps, the ending, which turned out strange and crumpled. The film somehow abruptly ends, and before that it completely changes the vector not for the better. Perhaps, the director wanted to emphasize the mental trauma that the heroine suffered as a result of persecution by a maniac, but, again, it turned out strange, crumpled and unnatural. The finale strikes either in self-irony or in psychology and this is definitely not what is good for him. In this case, in a similar style you would have to withstand the whole film, but then it would be a completely different movie.
Now “The Stranger” can hardly scare anyone, to give a lot of memorable minutes to fans of the genre, he is definitely able, especially since this is definitely one of the coolest and really high-quality slashers of that time, along with “Burning”, “Friday”, “Bloody Valentine”, “School Massacre”, “Greek Street” and other numerous films about maniacs-psychopaths in masks.
9 out of 10
One of the most delicious slashers of the first half of the 80s!
The Stranger (Rosemary Killer)
Plot. World War II is coming to an end. A large number of veterans are returning home. One of these characters receives a letter from his girlfriend. The child could not wait for his soldier. After a while, the girl and her new boyfriend are found dead during the prom. After 35 years, the city authorities decide to organize another ball.
Let’s not be fooled, director Joseph Zito is far from John Carpenter (Zito generally quickly piled from horror to thrash fighters). His average level was clearly visible in another slash, “Friday the 13th – Part 4: The Last Chapter.” Wrote a review a year ago, highlighting the sluggish murders and the overall component.
It’s funny, but with the “Stranger” in this regard, everything is fine. On the contrary, there is clearly nothing to catch here except bloody murders. Although, hand on heart, the plot is quite original. To stir up a slasher on a soldier, betrayal and a broken heart is a very rare thing in this subgenre. Tom Savini (ahaha, who else) was responsible for the bloody effects.
It will not be difficult to guess the killer, but I do not think that Comrade Zito was trying to confuse him. He bet on meat and didn't lose out. The murders are very brutal. Separately, I will note the cult scene with pitchforks in the shower. The image of the murderer (purely visual) is colorful and memorable. I can’t say anything bad about the actors (the cop somehow reminded Killian Murphy). Nice main character.
The ending seemed implausible. Let us not go against the slasher laws (for now). Not so long ago I was revisiting the slasher “Burning”, where the middle of the film tired me. In “The Stranger”, the degree of interest does not subside throughout the entire timekeeping (only walking around the house is slightly delayed). Zito did it, guys.
Horror films about serial killers gained great popularity in the 1970s of the last century. The appearance of the cult film "Halloween" popularized this direction in world cinema and made it possible to distinguish a kind of subgenre among horror films, which is called a slasher. Little-known and generally unremarkable director Joseph Zito in 1981 presented his low-budget film about a mysterious killer. And although now such an action looks quite banal, this film has become one of the main representatives of its genre and received a cult status. I learned about him from an interview with Quentin Tarantino in which he named his favorite and important films. This is an indicator of quality.
The events take place in 1945 just after World War II on one of the American school scores, where an unfaithful girl who did not wait for her lover from the front is killed by a mysterious killer in military uniform. After 35 years, the ominous events of the past are re-emerging. As can be seen from the description, there is nothing original in the script, but it looks with great interest and maintains a high level of intrigue. The identity of the killer is the main mystery for the viewer and holds attention until the very end.
The atmosphere is made at the highest level and is the main advantage of the film. A small provincial town, an isolated and deserted location, and an impressive image of a murderer (a military man with villas leaving roses on the bodies of murdered girls) all contribute to a good suspense. It is also worth noting the excellent musical accompaniment, which contributes to the gradual increase in tension and anxiety. There are many blood scenes and they look quite naturalistic, it is worth considering especially impressionable people. In this, the main merit belongs to Tom Savini, a recognized master of special effects and makeup.
During the viewing, logical holes are opened, which will be noticeable to the sophisticated viewer. But these inconsistencies can be explained if necessary, and therefore this fact does not spoil the impression. It should be said that the film does not have strong dynamics, but a small timekeeping does not allow you to get bored. The tape looks interesting and frightening in places.
The actors are mostly little-known, but there are also familiar faces. Namely, Lawrence Tierney, known for his participation in "Reservoir Dogs". In general, the plot does not require deep play and fine-tuning of characters. Actors of the main roles try and leave a good impression.
The Stranger is an atmospheric, intense, interesting and high-quality horror film. The picture became a classic of the genre and a notable milestone in the formation of the subgenre of slasher. The film has all the necessary elements to please fans of the genre, namely a strong suspense, a disturbing environment and an original image of the killer. A little-known film will be a great option for evening viewing.
The film “Stranger” is certainly one of the best slashers in the history of cinema. Atmospheric, spectacular, quality. First of all, a very interesting story with the letter, after which it all began. Also, the image of the killer is impressive and unconventional.
Plot
The action initially takes place in 1945. The Second World War ended and one of the veterans returned home and received a letter reading that he had been abandoned. In the same year, a prom was held during which one girl and her lover became the victim of an unknown killer. The killer was never caught.
It's been 35 years. During which no one held proms after that tragic incident. But in 1980, this tradition was broken. However, the killer never went anywhere and again began his atrocities. People began to die one after another, and at the place of the murdered girls, someone left a red rose.
The main character
The killer in this film is an unknown man in military uniform. Armed with a knife, a pitchfork, a cut, he kills people one by one. And after the murder of the girls also leaves an unusual mark, in the form of a red rose. The killer himself, who he really is, will be shown at the end of the film when he removes the mask.
Game of actors
Among the actors in this film there are a few people whose performance is not so outstanding, but there are some moments that are memorable. Lawrence Tierney as Major Cheter. More and less well done. Christopher Gutman as Mark London, who is present throughout the film looking for the killer. Vicky Dawson as Pam MacDonald is the main character for whom the killer has been hunting for a long time.
Directorial work
As for the director’s work, there are many advantages. First of all, the film came out atmospheric, which is why every minute it is more interesting to watch. The image of the killer is made qualitatively thanks to the old costume. Also, there is music that periodically scares and brews. In general, everything is impressive and there are no complaints.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I add that the film is definitely recommended to watch lovers of slashers. There is everything to impress and not leave indifferent. Also, fans of old horror films of the 1980s and 1990s, who are interested in costumes and special effects of those years, this film should not be avoided either.
10 out of 10
Thirty-five years of quiet. Thirty-five years, no proms. Thirty-five years of memories of that tragic day. But today, tradition is broken. The killer never went anywhere.
" The Stranger (also known as the Rosemary Killer and the Marauder) is one of the most prominent and original slashers of the early 80s. This film borrowed a few tricks from the movie. “My Bloody Valentine” (both films have almost the same theme – unhappy love), and a little bit of “Friday the 13th”, but even though it turned out cooler than them in some things. Such famous people worked on this horror film as Joseph Zito (director of Friday the 13th: The Last Chapter) and Tom Savini (master of special effects for many slashers of the time).
The first twenty minutes of the film may seem too boring, but then the drive and dynamics will start so much that you just can’t get away from the screen. The viewer will see before him a truly real example of such a subgenre: a good nudity, and wonderful young actors, and colorful murders, and a brilliant atmosphere - everything will be!
All the killings (without exception) were carried out saturated, bloody and vividly. Even an elementary scene in the shower, where a girl is stabbed to death with a pitchfork, can bring goosebumps to the skin. Why is that? The answer is, again, Tom Savini worked on the film. If you know that he is a special effects director in a particular film, then prepare for indescribable and amazing impressions.
The main advantage of this film is the image of a maniac. A man is dressed in soldiers' clothes and wields pitchforks, leaving a rose on the dead girls (romantics and extraordinary go off scale).
The music is diverse, intense and flawless. The actors are good too.
" A stranger will serve as a lesson to unfaithful ladies.
9 out of 10
The atmosphere of the '40s at the beginning of the film is breathtaking! And the black-and-white shoot was on the subject. I really liked the music that sounded at the moment when they showed a close-up letter of farewell, dated 1944. And in that letter, it was a very cute flower that the girl had painted Rosemary with her name. In 35 years, the rose, which she painted, will adorn almost all prom victims.
The very idea of that 35-year gap fascinated me. It is a pity that the film did not become so cultic. Probably not a particularly memorable name. Although this Stranger was quite "pretty" in his front-line clothes of the Second World War.
The first murder was amazing. Especially remembered large-scale face of the girl with wide eyes. Just like in the movies of those years (40s, I mean - not the 80s).
When everything began to happen in a modern film, time was impressed by the tension that was created when the heroine ran down the corridors from this Stranger. It was scary even when nothing really happened. For example, when Pam just went back to get her purse in that room, or when she was sitting in the car waiting for her boyfriend.
The murders were not particularly original and diverse - they were all committed with a knife, in extreme cases - a pitchfork. But each stab and each approach to the skin of the victims was completely different.
As for the main characters, blonde Pam and young Sheriff Mark, all the detective work they did was a little boring. What I didn't understand was their quarrel. “I want you to check if everything is okay.” It is already doubtful how he, the man (and also the sheriff), stayed in the car, and she dutifully nodded, and ran to the dark house to check if everything was all right there. And then, "I want you to stay there." He didn't want to carry her with him. And she immediately reacted to it as if they wanted to leave her. And after a couple of seconds, they suddenly reconciled, and went on with business. And the subject was never touched again. This is a funny episode.
It is a pity that they completely forgot about those inconspicuous actors who climbed into the basement and felt the “wind in the basement”. They didn’t even get naked.
But the ending is so powerful! That’s how horror movies end! No less worthy than it was, for example, in the “Sleeping Camp”.
And if you've seen Hitchcock's Rope (1948), you can guess which older actor of The Stranger is one of the stranglers of that legendary film. I think I found out. It is interesting to see how people change with age.
And, having digested over the years “School Ball”, “Terror Trains” and “Halloween”, I somehow missed this similar film by Jamie Lee Curtis. Just so much so that I even imagined her in the face of one of the heroines (the one that molested Mark and spoiled Pam's dress - sorry for the dress, the white was much more beautiful and sexier than the green one that Pam later changed into).
By the way, since the release of the film, it will soon be another 35 years. It would be nice to re-start the school ball at that school. Just the new ball. I want to continue, not a remake. You can call the actors of the same for more breathtaking, if it is real.
“The Stranger” watched recently, familiarized with good reviews for this film. I made sure that this is quite strong, bloody slasher, which did not become a cult like Halloween, but even somehow good - they did not rivet sequels every year. Therefore, we have a piece product designed for all fans of slashers.
Of course, the plot of the tape is based on the slightly earlier “My bloody Valentine” – the maniac killed people on the eve of the holiday, the holiday in this city was canceled, many years later it was allowed again, the maniac returned, all in horror. But "The Stranger" can still be called a completely independent picture.
Mostly because of the maniac. This is the first slasher, where the main inhuman is not a mutilated moron in a mask, but a soldier who should defend his homeland, but instead gut everyone with a pitchfork.
The makeup and special effects in the film are great - Tom Savini just can't be bad. Scenes of murder please the eye.
But the script is not so good - the first half of the film is good - tension is escalated, people are slowly dying - everything is masterful. And from the second half begins some running: the lavheroes climb into the house to the disabled grandfather (who could be safely removed from the script), then for some reason go to the cemetery, then again to the house - why all this? It would be better to add a couple more murders.
In general, we are dealing with a slasher, which we almost no one knows, which is hurtful - despite the uneven scenario, this is a high-end horror movie.
7 out of 10