Rampage (1987)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

William Friedkin

Writers:

William Friedkin (writer)
William P. Wood (novel)

Release Date:

30 October 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Horror

Tagline:

This is the face of Charles Reece, a mass murderer. He doesn't think he's done anything wrong. The real crime is that the jury may agree.

Plot:

Liberal district attorney decides to seek the death penalty for a man who slaughtered a family at Christmastime...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel | Independent Film | Based On Play

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Michael Biehn	...	Anthony Fraser
Alex McArthur	...	Charlie Reece
Nicholas Campbell	...	Albert Morse
Deborah Van Valkenburgh	...	Kate Fraser
John Harkins	...	Dr. Keddie
Art LaFleur	...	Mel Sanderson
Billy Green Bush	...	Judge McKinsey (as Billy Greenbush)
Royce D. Applegate	...	Gene Tippetts
Grace Zabriskie	...	Naomi Reece
Carlos Palomino	...	Nestode
Roy London	...	Dr. Paul Rudin
Donald Hotton	...	Dr. Leon Gables
Andy Romano	...	Spencer Whalen
Patrick Cronin	...	Harry Bellenger
Roger Nolan	...	Dr. Roy Blair

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (cut) (1990) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1989) | Australia:R | France:-12 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

El Dorado Street, Stockton, California, USA

Company:

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG)

Trivia:

Based on the true story of Richard Trenton Chase, "The Vampire Killer" who killed six people in the course of four days in January 1978.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the doctor turns off the oxygen machine, he closes the girl's eyes. But, her eyes were already closed when they said she was brain dead.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Directors: The Films of William Friedkin (#2.13)" (????)

A Rough-But-Interesting Look At The Insanity Plea

Warning: this movie is pretty grisly in spots, at least in the first half where the creepy character played by Alex McArhur goes on a couple of killing sprees. This film features a bit of an oddity: filmmakers actually opposing the "insanity plea," showing how it can be misused.

In this story, several psychiatrists are made to look corrupt and just plain stupid in parts. I also noticed a jab at Catholism in here as killings are shown in flashback as a mass is shown with the words "body of Christ" said over and over by the priest.

Overall, not pleasant to view in spots, and not super overall, but it does hold your attention and certainly brings up some good points. The screenplay and direction is by William Friedkin who did a number of interesting and controversial films.