Martin (1976)

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.

Director:

George A. Romero

Writer:

George A. Romero

Stars:

John Amplas, Lincoln Maazel, Christine Forrest

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Amplas	...	Martin
Lincoln Maazel	...	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	...	Priest (segment "Flashback")
Donna Siegel	...	Woman (as Donna Siegal)
Albert J. Schmaus	...	Family

Storyline

George Romero does for vampires what he has already done to zombies - an intense and realistic treatment that follows the exploits of Martin, who claims to be 84 years old, and who certainly drinks human blood. The boy arrives in Pittsburg to stay with his uncle, who promises to save Martin's soul and destroy him once he is finished, but Martin's loneliness finds other means of release.

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Plot Keywords:

vampire | razor blade | blood | 84 year old | bludgeoned to death | 

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Taglines:

Heir to the Blood Lust

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Genres:

Drama | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Fan site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

George A. Romero's Martin

Filming Locations:

215 5th Street, Braddock, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Laurel Entertainment Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Savini also did the stunts (and special makeup effects) in the film. His face can clearly be seen in the scene where the street person is hit and rolls over the hood and roof of the car.

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Goofs

When Martin stabs the cheating wife's lover in the neck, he has a red shirt on. In all scenes prior to this, the man never has a shirt on.

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Quotes

Tada Cuda: You were sent here or you asked to come?
Father Howard: I was sent by the diocese, when Father Carelli retired.
Tada Cuda: Retired? Huh! Father Carelli is younger than I am. He asked to leave. He left like the rest of them. He thinks this town is finished!
Father Howard: [With mock solemnity] No, he has cancer. He's very near the end. In fact, I haven't heard, he may be gone.
[Crosses himself]

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Connections

Referenced in Apocrypha (2011)

User Reviews

Unflinchingly original.

Between seminal 'zombie' flicks "Night of the Living Dead", and the follow-up, "Dawn of the Dead", George A. Romero created two of the most overlooked horror movies, not only of the 1970's, but maybe of all time. Four years after the socio-political horror of "The Crazies", he returned with "Martin", a vampire film like no other before or since.

Romero's intelligent movie turns on its head all the things associated with the genre, and presents us with a modern day story of addiction, sexuality, and obsession. Martin is your average gawky teenager, a little boy lost in a chaotic world, with an insatiable appetite for human blood. But, where previously that vampiric bloodlust is a sign of great sexual prowess, and overpowering self-importance, here it is a curse. Martin's world is one of unfulfilled desire and confusion. He is ostracised from family, with few friends - his only confidante is the faceless radio talkshow host - and our sympathies are with him throughout. His attacks are fuelled not by pleasure, but more by a fruitless search for intimacy with his victims, who aren't picked off indiscriminately by uncontrollable urges, but rather chosen. When he finally finds 'the sex thing', his need for blood is overcome. Although gruesome and calculated, his attacks aren't excessively violent, and the opening scene is perfectly written to repulse and reprieve in equal measure. What initially appears to be a brutal rape, is twisted by Romero into an almost tender love scene between attacker and victim.

With brilliant use of locations, and nondescript atmosphere, "Martin" is a horror movie that both disturbs and intrigues. The performances are erratic, and Maazel is way too OTT, spouting "Nosferatu!!" all histrionics and melodrama. But Amplas, as Martin, is genuinely affecting, and steeped in pathos. Unflinchingly original, a horror movie with gore, but plenty of brains to go with it.