Martin (1977)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

George A. Romero

Writer:

George A. Romero (writer)

Release Date:

7 July 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror

Tagline:

A Vampire for Our Age of Disbelief

Plot:

A young man, who believes himself to be a vampire, goes to live with his elderly and hostile cousin in a small Pennsylvania town where he tries to redeem his blood-craving urges.

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Razor Blade | Blood | Hypodermic | Marching Band

Cast

John Amplas	...	Martin Madahas
Lincoln Maazel	...	Tada Cuda
Christine Forrest	...	Christina
Elyane Nadeau	...	Mrs. Santini
Tom Savini	...	Arthur
Sara Venable	...	Housewife Victim
Francine Middleton	...	Train Victim (as Fran Middleton)
Roger Caine	...	Lewis (as Al Levitsky)
George A. Romero	...	Father Howard
James Roy	...	Deacon
J. Clifford Forrest Jr.	...	Father Zulemas
Robert Ogden	...	Businessman
Donaldo Soviero	...	Flashback Priest
Donna Siegel	...	Woman
Albert J. Schmaus	...	Family Member

Also Known As:

George A. Romero's Martin (Australia)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | Germany:16 (re-rating) (2005) | West Germany:18 (original rating) | France:-16 | Iceland:16 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Braddock, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Laurel Entertainment Inc.

Trivia:

During a screening and interview at USC, director George Romero related that the MPAA objected to a shot of Martin slicing someone's arm open with a razor blade. The entire shot would've earned the film the notorious "X" rating, and so he had to trim it by several seconds. The length of the shot, not the subject matter, was objectionable.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the very beginning of the film on the train, Martin sneaks in and attacks a woman in her cabin. At first, she has a cold cream mask on. During the struggle, it suddenly disappears without a trace.

Quotes:

Mrs. Santini: Boy, do I wish what you had was catching.
Martin Madahas: Some people think it *is* catching. In the movies it's catching.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Tom Savini: The Early Years (2004) (V)

Excellent

George A. Romero did an outstanding job with this movie. It is not your usual vampire flick. Martin can walk in sunlight, garlic does not work, crosses don't work, and he does not even have fangs. He simply cuts his victims after putting them to sleep. This is also a very odd but beautifully shot picture. It has a low-budget gritty feel, almost handheld but it fits the story perfectly. It also uses some great Black and White photography. The acting is top notch. There are no names just people, although sometimes weird people.

Also Tom Savini is in it. He has a small role but he is a good actor. It really is too bad he really has not caught on to more mainstream movies. But he also did the FX for this movie. It does get bloody. But it never is gory. But do not get me wrong, the FX is felt. Overall this is a must see vampire movie. It is great.