The Wind (1986)

A novelist is stalked by a psychopath one stormy night.

Director:

Nico Mastorakis

Writers:

Nico Mastorakis (story), Nico Mastorakis (screenplay)

Stars:

Meg Foster, Wings Hauser, David McCallum

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Meg Foster	...	Sian Anderson
Wings Hauser	...	Phil
David McCallum	...	John
Robert Morley	...	Elias Appleby
Steve Railsback	...	Kesner
Mihalis Giannatos	...	Policeman
Summer Thomas	...	Sian's Friend
John Michaels	...	Newlywed
Tracy Young	...	Newlywed
Dina Giannakou	...	Elias' Wife

Storyline

A novelist is stalked by a psychopath one stormy night.

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Plot Keywords:

slasher | novelist | fire poker | death | writer | 

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 November 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

El viento

Filming Locations:

Greece

Company Credits

Production Co:

Omega Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released theatrically in West Germany and Portugal.

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Connections

Features Sky High (1985)

User Reviews

On the Wings of Wind

Director Nico Mastorakis (Island of Death) returns to the horror genre and the Greek Isles with the suspenseful and intense The Wind. A slight mixture of the slasher, cat & mouse and giallo genres, The Wind looks great, thanks mostly to the imposing Greek locale high on the edge of a cliff. Mastorakis wastes no time jumping right into the action with writer Anderson (Meg Foster) encountering fellow American Phil (Hauser) within minutes of her arrival. When Foster explains she is a mystery writer, Hauser creepily quips, "If you need to know anything about death, I'm right next door." As the nights events progress, the viewer is kept wondering if all that has been happening is just figments of a writer's overactive imagination.

As with most horror films, the success lies squarely on the shoulders of the villain and, thankfully, Mastorakis has Hauser to fill this role. Hauser gives a whacked out performance on the level of his killer pimp turn in the sleaze classic Vice Squad (1982). Whether it is huffing poppers or making threatening phone calls, Wings is in top form in this film. It is truly a shame that his talents aren't fully recognized by the mainstream. Foster provides a worthy adversary to Hauser's unhinged Phil, but there are a few moments that smack of falsity here (namely a few of her one liners). Railsback pops up about two-thirds of the way through as a sailor who helps the police investigate. It is almost a cameo-sized role, but he is good in it and helps spur the ideas that Foster may be making this up.

If the film does have any faults, it is an entirely useless subplot involving a honeymooning American couple. While the point (they almost provide safe haven for Foster) was not lost on this viewer, it seemed a bit contrived and seems like an attempt to pad the film. Regardless, The Wind is still an intense and stylish 90 minutes that is definitely worth a watch.