Nightmare (1981)

Director:

Romano Scavolini

Writer:

Romano Scavolini (writer)

Release Date:

9 June 1982 (France)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

The Dream You Can't Escape ALIVE!

Plot:

A mental-patient, who is troubled with horrible nightmares, has escaped from his hospital. Now on the streets he can't help killing innocent people...

Plot Keywords:

Nightmare | Computer | Violence | Telephone | Blood Bath

Cast

Baird Stafford	...	George Tatum
Sharon Smith	...	Susan Temper
C.J. Cooke	...	C.J. Temper
Mik Cribben	...	Bob Rosen
Danny Ronan	...	Kathy the Babysitter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tara Alexander	...	Woman in Booth
Randy Arieux	...	Police Officer
Ray Baker	...	Real Estate Agent
Tommy Bouvier	...	Joey
Craig Cain	...	Police Officer
Carl Clifford	...	Hospital Attendant
Mark Davis	...	Police Officer
Kathleen Ferguson	...	Barbara
Christina Keefe	...	George's Mother
William Kirksey	...	George's father
George Kruger	...	Chief Cotter
Candy Marchese	...	Jogger / Candy
Geoffrey Marchese	...	Tony Walker
David Massar	...	Hospital Attendant
Bill Milling	...	Paul Williamson
Kevin J. O'Neill
Mary Lee Parise	...	Police Officer
Kim Patterson	...	Kim Temper
Tammy Patterson	...	Tammy Temper
William Paul	...	Steve
Scott Praetorius	...	Young George
Miranda Stevens	...	Show World Dancer (as Danielle Galiana)
Michael Sweney	...	Burt Daniels
Robert Tenvooren	...	Police Officer
Ken Thomas	...	Police Officer
John L. Watkins	...	Man with Cigar
Susan Webb	...	Police Officer

Also Known As:

Blood Splash
Nightmare in a Damaged Brain
Schizo (Australia) (video title)

Runtime:

97 min | UK:96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:R | Finland:(Banned) | UK:18 | USA:R (cut) | USA:Unrated | West Germany:(Banned) | Canada:(Banned) (Nova Scotia) | France:-16

Filming Locations:

Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA

Company:

Goldmine Productions

Trivia:

Tom Savini is credited as the film's make-up effects artist. In fact he was only a consultant and threatened to sue over the use of his name to promote the film. Some video prints still bear Savini's credit as "Effects Director". The effects were actually created by Ed French.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the young man is smoking on the stair, he is only wearing his underpants, the scene then cuts to his girlfriend taking a shower, then we see him back on the stair, smoking, and then he is wearing a t-shirt too.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Empire of the Censors (1995) (TV)

Cool Psycho/Serial Killer Horror Film...

NIGHTMARE IN A DAMAGED BRAIN is a rare treat of early 80's American low-budget horror, as it has both a decent story/plot and a considerable amount of gore for the era...

George is a schizophrenic psychopath who escapes from the care of his physician. The "wonder drugs" that George takes to combat his spells of delirium and psychoses don't work too well, and soon he's on the loose and up to no-good. We find that George's problems are deep rooted within his family and have to do with an experience he witnessed involving his father and some random hooker-ish chick when George was a boy. George's psychiatrist is on the chase to track him down and all is revealed in the "shocking" conclusion.

NIGHTMARE IN A DAMAGED BRAIN is a very decent horror film. A little dated by today's standards but still has more gore and cool kill scenes than you average current U.S. theatrical release. An over-looked film that could use some more recognition. If you dig slashers/psychological horror then you'll probably feel this one. Recommended 8/10