DVD review (region 1)
Directed by Tony Maylam
Starring Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, Brian Backer, Larry Joshua, Jason Alexander
Release date 11 September 2007

Youngsters on a summer camp are stalked by a shears-wielding maniac named Cropsy…

This 1981 slasher flick (and former ‘video nasty’) is most notable for being the first film from the Weinstein brothers’ Miramax stable. Even director Tony Maylam admits that it’s a pretty formulaic affair on the DVD commentary, and the film sticks rigidly to the Friday the 13th template (although it was apparently written before that film).

Still, it’s better than many other slashers of the period with some impressive set pieces of bloody slaughter thanks to make-up supremo Tom Savini and above average acting and characterisation. There’s an early wisecracking role for Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander (one Seinfeld episode was cheekily entitled ‘The Burning’) and other endearing performances from Fisher Stevens (of Short Circuit fame) and Larry Joshua as the obligatory bully of the camp. Watch out too for Holly Hunter, who pops up very briefly in her first movie role.

There’s never any doubt as to where the film’s heading of course, and it’s hardly in the same league as the big daddies of the genre like Halloween and Black Christmas. But as a medium-grade slasher movie, it’s proficient and memorable enough to just about make it worth revisiting.

The DVD features a documentary with the ever-enthusiastic Tom Savini reminiscing about his time on the movie (with behind-the-scenes footage of him setting his own legs on fire) and he happily spills secrets of how he achieved the gory set pieces.

The commentary has horror critic Alan Jones chatting to British director Maylam (who went on to direct Split Second and various car documentaries). Maylam reveals the origin of the Cropsy story (it’s based on a well-known campfire tale apparently) and talks about how the Weinsteins he knew were far from the ruthless megalomaniacs that we read about today. Matt McAllister

VERDICT: 5/10
Surprise-free but watchable enough entry in the slasher cycle.