My Bloody Valentine (1981)

Director:

George Mihalka

Writers:

Stephen A. Miller (story)
John Beaird (written by)

Release Date:

11 February 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Harry's out to steal your heart.

Plot:

A decades old folk tale surrounding a deranged murderer killing those who celebrate Valentine's Day, turns out to be true to legend when a group defies the killer's order and people start turning up dead.

Plot Keywords:

Valentine's Day | Party | Dance | Miner | Mining

Cast

Paul Kelman	...	Jessie 'T.J.' Hanniger
Lori Hallier	...	Sarah
Neil Affleck	...	Axel Palmer
Keith Knight	...	Hollis
Alf Humphreys	...	Howard Landers
Cynthia Dale	...	Patty
Helene Udy	...	Sylvia
Rob Stein	...	John
Thomas Kovacs	...	Mike Stavinski (as Tom Kovacs)
Terry Waterland	...	Harriet
Carl Marotte	...	Dave
Jim Murchison	...	Tommy Whitcomb
Gina Dick	...	Gretchen
Peter Cowper	...	The Miner & Harry Warden
Don Francks	...	Chief Jake Newby

Also Known As:

The Secret (Canada: English title) (working title)

Runtime:

90 min | 93 min (director's cut)

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | West Germany:16 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Germany:18 (DVD release) | Finland:K-18 (self applied) (2002) | New Zealand:R16 | France:-12 (re-rating) | UK:15 (video re-rating) (2003) | UK:18 (video rating) (1989) | UK:X (original rating) | Australia:R | France:-16 (original rating) | Norway:18 (video premiere) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada

Company:

Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)

Trivia:

In a recent interview, actor Neil Affleck revealed that he still has the miner's helmet that he wore in the film.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When riding down in the railcars, Hollis drinks a beer. When he tips the can up, you can see holes from a church key type can opener on the bottom of the can.

Quotes:

Axel Palmer: [last lines]
Axel Palmer: [singing to himself] Sarah, be My Bloody Valentine...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: I Love Lisa (#4.15)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

The Ballad of Harry Warden

Give 'em hell Harry.

My Bloody Valentine is one of the best and most well-made slasher flicks of the 80's. It's also one of the better holiday themed horror movies around!

A crazed miner is determined to stop the celebration of Valentine's day in a small Nova Scotia town, with the help of a trusty pick ax that is.

* minor (or miner, I'm not funny.) spoilers *

While the film doesn't re-invent the wheel for slasher movies, it still manages to stand out well from the rest of it's kind. The climax in the mine creates some great suspense in an atmospheric and claustrophobic setting. The cast is quite likable and good, even though there's not a known name in sight. And the gore hounds should enjoy the happenings, cutting out hearts and pick ax murders, even a nasty death-by-dryer and a face scalded in a boiling pot. It's still gory despite cuts made by the MPAA. There's also the occasional touch of colorful dark humor.

The direction, while simple, is well done with some good shock cuts. The music score is a nicely moody one, even beautiful in a way. Over all, the film holds together well.

Seek it out slasher fans! This is one enjoyable cult film that is not to be missed!

*** out of ****