The Zodiac (2005)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Alexander Bulkley

Writers:

Kelley Bulkeley (writer)
Alexander Bulkley (writer)

Release Date:

3 August 2006 (Russia)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The most infamous serial killer of our time... is still out there.

Plot:

An elusive serial killer known as the Zodiac terrorizes the San Francisco Bay in the late 1960s, while detectives aim to stop him before he claims more victims. Based on a true story.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Lake | Serial Killer | San Francisco | 1960s

Cast

Justin Chambers	...	Inspector Matt Parish
Robin Tunney	...	Laura Parish
Rory Culkin	...	Johnny Parish
William Mapother	...	Dale Coverling
Brad William Henke	...	Bill Gregory (as Brad Henke)
Rex Linn	...	Jim Martinez
Philip Baker Hall	...	Frank Perkins
Marty Lindsey	...	Zodiac Killer
Brian Bloom	...	Voice of Zodiac (voice)
Shelby Alexis Irey	...	Bobbie
Natassia Costa	...	Mary
Kris Palm	...	Michael
Nate Dushku	...	Scott Washington
Katelin Chesna Henke	...	Patsy (as Katelin Chesna)
Kathryn Howell	...	Mrs. Boucher

Also Known As:

In Control of All Things (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and language.

Runtime:

USA:92 min | USA:97 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:MA | USA:R | Germany:16 | UK:15 | Italy:T | Netherlands:16 | Finland:K-15 | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

Benicia, California, USA

Company:

Blackwater Films

Trivia:

The wall maps which appear in the police station are actually maps of Vallejo.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When the Zodiac is narrating his letter after the Chief of Police invites him to write with more details of the earlier murders, his narration leaves out the word "very" before "very happy to supply even more material." that appears in the letter that he is narrating.

Movie Connections:

References The Most Dangerous Game (1932)

Soundtrack:

The Sun Whose Rays Are All Ablaze

Portrait of an unsuccessful Hunt

Although David Finchers look at the infamous Zodiac Killer is due in a few months, Alexander Buckleys version need not be ashamed of comparison. That's what can be predicted in advance, since Buckleys film looks at the Zodiac killings from the perspective of one involved policeman's family; Fincher is hardly to repeat that. Buckleys approach, at first, is very realistic - not surprising, since the incidents he portrays are historic facts. Later on, he fuses facts and fictions, which weakens the picture a bit. But in general, he sticks to the facts and manages to fit them into interesting 92 minutes. No gore here, only a few harsh visuals, but still disturbing. In total, it succeeds in creating a sense for the madness and absurdness behind the killings. Recommended for those looking for a thrill of quality.