It's been 6 whole weeks since I have seen this!
And I cannot account for why that is, but 6 weeks feels a long for me to go without seeing my very horror early 80s slasher pic! 6 weeks is too, too long for me.
shareMr. H, could you please list all the things about Terror Train that make it your favorite slasher pic? I think the best slasher pic is Halloween-78', though it is not my favorite and I prefer to watch Halloween 2-81', which is my second favorite slasher. I would have to say that Happy Birthday To Me-81', is my favorite one. I like The Funhouse-81' & Psycho II-83' even better; but I don't know if they really rate as slashers. What about Visiting Hours-82'? I rate that one highly too, but I don't know if that could be considered slasher either.
OK:
Top 5, straight forward slashers:
1: Halloween-78'- only by default, due to it's popularity and spawning of a myriad of other entertaining slashers.
2: Happy Birthday To Me-81'
3: Halloween II-81'
4: My Bloody Valentine-81'
5: The House On Sorority Row-83'
The Burning-81' and The Prowler-81', would get the next 2 slots.
Top 5, not quite slashers:
1: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre-74'
2: The Hills Have Eyes-77'
3: The Funhouse-81'
4: Psycho II-83'
5: Visiting Hours-82'
Mother's Day-80' and Maniac-80', would get the next 2 slots.
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Slumber Party Massacre is one of my all time cherished finds. Its just everything an 80's slasher should be.
These are mine in no particular order (all originals, of course):
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Slumber Party Massacre
Black Christmas
Silent Night, Deadly Night
My Bloody Valentine
These are the 5 that stand out at the moment. I could re-watch these over and over.
Thanks for your list. It is always interesting to see what others enjoy from this macabre and interesting genre. Yes, Slumber Party Massacre is a goody and one that I came late too, in the latter part of the 80's. It clips along real nice and has some good kills and confrontations with the killer. Would need to re-visit Black Christmas and this one was before Halloween. Silent Night Deadly Night was ok; but I have only seen the censored 'R' version at this stage. Nice to see My Bloody Valentine rates in your top 5 too. Texas Chainsaw Massacre-74' is my # 1 horror\terror film of all time.
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Silent Night Deadly Night has some very good scenes in it, plus the whole movie has that distinctive "feel" to it, you know?
One scene that instantly made SNDN one of my keepers is in the beginning of the film when he visits his grandpa alongside his mom and dad as a little boy, before they're murdered by Santa.
Grandpa is completely non responsive during the visit until his parents walk away for whatever reason, and he starts telling the kid about the real santa clause ... man so chilling and hilarious at the same time. That one scene allows me to instantly identify "grandpa" in any other movies he happens to be in.
I also liked the work-place Christmas party towards the end. My job doesn't even give Christmas parties, but if it did it wouldn't be nearly as cool as the one they had. Seems to me his boss was a pretty cool, easy going fella of the 80's.
Honorable mention: Sleepaway Camp
Hi Rascal -- thanks for the fun question. There are a lot of reasons for my affection for Terror Train. Mostly I suppose it is, as it almost always is with me, atmosphere atmosphere atmosphere. I adore claustrophobic settings (one reason why I LOVE Roman Polanski) and TT has this in spades with the train interiors. It's just so cozy, like being in the womb. To complement this is the stylish photography with a subtle green tint throughout. It's just a great touch, and green is, to me, such an evocative color, like being underwater or something. Creepy and comforting at the same time. And there are a bunch of memorable characters (at least for a slasher pic), not the least of which is Jamie Lee Curtis. Ben Johnson gives it something extra and Hart Bochner is one of the most gorgeous men who ever lived. The magic act subplot also appealed to me. Terror Train is not particularly scary and for gore fans there's not much at all, so I understand why a lot of fans of the genre are going to be left wanting more with this one, but it's just so darn cozy, one of the coziest movies I've ever seen. Actually, I find that Motel Hell also has some of this quality as well, tight setting, darkened cinematography.
Thanks for letting me explain all that!
Other slashers/quasi slashers I enjoy.
Well, I adore "Halloween", always have and it is extremely well done. I am almost hesitant to call it a slasher, though, because it is so much more interested in achieving a mood and a look, and it's really not bloody at all and there aren't that many murders. I just don't know. However, "Halloween 2" is definitely a slasher pic, no mistake about that. I always am tempted to believe that Friday the 13th is the first true slasher because the movie makes no attempt to be anything else. Of course, there was Mario Bava's "Twitch of the Death Nerve" (great title!) which most definitely has a high body count and lots of gore and that was made in 1971. Some people consider that movie to be the first "slasher" pic and that's probably accurate. Have you seen it, Rascal? I'm sure you'd enjoy it
Here's a fun, little rundown.
"The Visiting Hours" - It was okay. I always enjoy Lee Grant very much and she was good here. There was some suspense, pretty good villain, and I liked the blonde girl.
"Mother's Day" - Strange and overall pretty disturbing. That opening scene when those creepy people were planning evil only to have the tables turned on them was genuinely effective. Overall the most upsetting part to me was just the overall way of life the backwoods family lived. I can't watch it very often because it is just a little bit much for me. Rose Ross is good as the mother. Movie was unfairly reviled.
"Happy Birthday to Me" - not uneffective, but another weird one. I like Melissa Sue Anderson in it a lot. Almost all the other characters were very unlikable. Great, inventive kills. When I used to watch this on cable I think I can recall a great soundtrack. Don't know why that got changed for the dvd release. Not bad.
"My Bloody Valentine" - I found something peculiarly cold about this one. Of course, it was a cheap production and that can sometimes be an asset for the genre. But there was just something off putting about this one. Of course, I enjoy the scene where all those hunky guys are showering together.😉 And the first kill was really good, but this has never been one of my favorites.
I like all the movies from your "not quite slashers" list.
"Psycho 2" - I love this movie. I love the original, of course, but like you were saying regarding Halloween and Halloween 2, sometimes I'd rather watch the 1983 sequel. And this is mostly because of Anthony Perkins. Even more so than in the famous original, Perkins is so appealing and sympathetic and likeable as Norman. I just root for him every step of the way. I would have been honored to have been his pal. And as good as Perkins was in the first one, I find his performance here to be even better. So nuanced and sensitive and he's just all there. I think he's just a sweetheart. And I also like how this film focuses more on character and the house itself. I like the relationship between Anthony Perkins and Meg Tilly and Vera Miles was a good, nasty villain.
"Texas Chainsaw Massacre" - I couldn't agree with you more on this one. A masterpiece of sheer horror. Non stop, from beginning to end. The cinematography and that cacophonous sounds set the exact right ominous mood. There's some effective, appropriately macabre humor throughout and Marilyn Burns makes a great heroine. Her terror absoluely convinces. That second time she jumps through the 2nd floor window, caked with dried blood and way past half crazed, trying to run away in a straight line and save herself, it's almost impossible to not get out of your seat and start screaming right along with her.
"The Funhouse" - I've always liked this movie. Really good atmosphere, (another claustrophobic setting, who knew the inside of the Funhouse was so Neverending. I Could appreciate the sense of feeling lost), good creepy idea behind the carnival way of life and all that mystery. And then there's good, old reliable herself, Miss Sylvia Miles, a treasure among treasures. She can get a laugh like nobody else.
"The Hills Have Eyes" - I thought it was a good, effectively brutal little film.
We both adore "Motel Hell", though that's really kind of a genre defying film. "MEAT'S MEAT AND MAN'S GOTTA EAT! HA HA!!!"
"Friday the 13th, Part 2" happens to be my favorite one of that series. The most memorable characters, my favorite heroine and I like that Jason is a little bit on the goofy/clumsy side. There was still kind of an innocence going on at this point. Good kills that weren't really meant to be taken seriously, i.e., not repellent to the point of being off-putting. Practically good, clean fun for the whole family.😆 Part 4, The Final Chapter was the last F, the 13th I thought was any good. And I don't like any of the Michael Myers ' movies after the 2nd one.
"Prom Night" - kind of dull. Too much of that police work, flashback stuff and I didn't like the feel of the movie. Another cold one. Though, Wendy's death was an unusually suspenseful one and I happen to really like Antoinette Bower, who plays the grieving mother here.
"Halloween 3" - also probably not really a slasher, but I really like this movie. Love the coastal town, love the score (not talking about the Halloween 3 jingle necessarily), and I love Tom Atkins. Always the cool stud!
"Black Christmas" - great, suspenseful, atmospheric (best movie Christmas tree ever!) with so many great characters and even some really good humor. I love Mrs. Mac!!! Black Christmas and the 1978 Halloween somewhat resemble each other, only I have to say I prefer Black Christmas. The practically unseen Billy is a truly frightening character.
For gore, "The Burning" and "The Prowler" can't be topped, at least from what I've seen.
"Pieces" was pretty gory, but just so, so cheap and tacky.
I kind of liked "Don't Go in the House". That girl hanging by her wrists and set on fire was just awful. Effective and believable and very unpleasant.
"Sleepaway Camp" - I had a friend who LOVED this series, but I just could not get past the ultra-cheap look of it. I just thought it was so cheesy.
"Nightmare on Elm Street" - I liked it a lot. Very well done. John Saxon and Ronee Blakely are bonuses.
"Last House on the Left" - also not a slasher, and super low budget, but for me that middle section in the woods is devastating.
"The Fog" - another one that is not a slasher, but as I think you know, I absolutely adore this one. Atmosphere atmosphere atmosphere, the perfect score and the best, most likeable ensemble of b-movie/genre actors ever assembled. This movie is practically my friend. John Carpenter's best film, IMO.
"The Fan" - It's beginning to look like my favorites from the genre really don't belong to the genre. They're more like misfires. Well, this one I find irresistible. A bitchy queen for a villain (did anybody really think Douglas Breen was not gay?), Lauren Bacall gets a few unintentional laughs during those ridiculous musical numbers. Really good Pino Donaggio score and Maureen Stapleton is a delight in every scene she's in. She actually gives a really good performance in this admittedly silly, almost nothing of a movie.
Which ones am I missing? I only saw "Slumber Party Massacre" once and I don't Tenebre it too well. As I recall it was supposed to be kind of this semi-spoof as it was written by lesbian author Rita Mae Brown. I remember a scene involving a refrigerator and maybe a dismembered head.
I've never seen "Graduation Day" or "Final Exam" or "The House on Sorority Row". There was that gory one that took pace in a coastal town with some awful secret. "Dead and Buried", I think was the name of it. That was gory and not too bad. If I recall, Rascal, you really liked this one.
Hey Mr. H, 👋
Thanks for the generous response and explanations. Really enjoyed reading. I must re-vist TERROR TRAIN and I had a sense it was the atmosphere that you liked about it. I came a little later to this one, when I saw it as a double with the original ALIEN probably in the early to mid 80's. I had already seen quite a few slashers and horrors by then, and at the time it just didn't deliver the goods in the violence and scares department. I had anticipated a film with "terror" in the title, should have really delivered the goods. I recall also being un-impressed and quite bored with Alien as well, which was screened first. I didn't find that one scary either, just a bit dull and slow. I have seen TT a few more times since, but that was over 10yrs ago.
Yes, atmosphere is an important aspect of a horror film and when you have a meager or convoluted story, it needs to really complement what the film is about. I usually describe it as the style mirroring the substance. It becomes a visual experience more than anything else and the look of the movie lets you know what it is all about. That is why I really like HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. It introduced us to some "unlikeable", but interesting characters and scenarios, had some nice dark, shadowy and creepy photography and lighting, the art direction was great and the film had a vivid and even sublime color scheme to it. The actors played it seriously and gave decent performances and the horror sequences were also well directed. I find this a great looking and classy slasher opus.
Yes, I have seen TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE, and have only seen once. It was pretty darn good if I recall and deserves the credit as the first full on slasher film. I don't recall the atmosphere being that fantastic though. Was Bava a poor man's Argento, or would I need to see some of his other films? I believe there is one of his that you truly adore.
For me, VISITING HOURS really delivers the goods and I love the clinical setting of the Canadian hospital and the very spooky opening sequence of Grant getting attacked in her plush home. I also find the film quite subversive and mean-spirited in it's violent attacks. It didn't pull many of it's punches, and while not exceptionally graphic, it was protracted and disturbing. It was like there was a knife hiding behind every door. Linda Purl as the caring nurse was excellent and so was the other blonde girl that Colt took home and abused. I also had a crush on Michael Ironside and I found that incredibly disturbing too, because I found his misogynistic character frightening, but sexy all at the same time. You wouldn't want to get in his way. A well presented and acted psycho thriller, except I don't know why William Shatner was cast. He appeared wasted and was just a name for the credits.
Loved what you said about FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2. This was quite tame in the kills department—it was heavily censored by the MPAA—but what a terrific little atmosphere and very entertaining with memorable characters like you have mentioned. I liked it better than the first and it wasn't parodying itself, like the later over the top sequels.
Now, MY BLOODY VALENTINE. I love the cold setting in this one, yet I don't find the characters cold or uninteresting. I think it perfectly compliments the atmosphere of the Valentine's theme, which is about warmth and love and these character's were all just working stiffs, doing a job and living in a place that they wouldn't really want to do, yet likely had no choice. It was nice how they attempted to pretty up the town with valentine decorations, the film had a good creepy atmosphere with the photography—there is something about these late 70's early 80's horrors, that knew how to use shadows, dark and light effectively—and it was kind of neat how the killer would rip out the hearts of his victims and place them in heart shaped candy boxes. The horror scenes in the abandoned mine were terrific. I have even referred to this one as The Deer Hunter of slashers. What ever that means, I don't even know myself. 😕
PROM NIGHT is a borefest and like you have mentioned, doesn't hold much appeal for me. Boring kills, not enough kills and not that much suspense even. Kind of all cobbled together, without much skill, passion or interest.
Yes, THE BURNING and THE PROWLER are goodies with the gore and graphic disturbing kills. They are also atmospheric and well directed. I prefer The Burning to the original FT13th. Tom Savini did the make-up on all these 3. And lets not forget MANIAC. Savini may have outdone himself here and the film is so grimy and sleazy and disturbing, yet Joe Spinelli is utterly compelling. It is not a fun movie, but still a scary one with a terrific urban atmosphere.
Have seen GRADUATION DAY once. Don't recall being that impressed. Love DEAD AND BURIED and this one also has a great atmosphere and is sadistically violent, if a little cheesy in some parts. Its pros out weighs the cons.
I love A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST. and it is always so easy and enjoyable to watch. Wes Craven was on a real winner here and he knew how to scare the audience. There is something about THE HILLS HAVE EYES though, that makes me feel like it is his masterpiece. With what resources he had available, he certainly knew what he was doing. I like the remake as well, even though it wasn't as gritty or raw, it may have improved on some aspects.
SLEEPAWAY CAMP is more amusing than anything, but I think I would rather spend my time watching something else. I do need to see DON'T GO IN THE HOUSE. I do own a copy, just haven't got around to watching it. And yes, MOTEL HELL, enough already said about this unusual horror\comedy, that hits all the right notes for me. The score was also composed by the same composer as HBTM. Nice!
FINAL EXAM is ok, just a little unexciting and I don't mind HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE either. That one relies on scares and suspense, rather than graphic kills and gore. It meets just about half way in the middle of being decent and I think it was trying to do a HALLOWEEN, but wasn't that stylish or skilled a presentation.
Now MOTHER'S DAY, is one I watched over and over again. The gore is cheap looking in parts, but the overall presentation, outlandish twisted story and terrific characterizations makes this one a winner for me. Need to see BLACK CHRISTMAS again. Only viewed once. I recall Margot Kidder being a hoot at the start. SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE delivers the goods in the slash arena and the killer has a nasty looking drill. He gets his deserved and violent comeuppance that doesn't disappoint.
Well said about TTCM and THE FUNHOUSE, and I like how they are both from Tobe Hooper. EATEN ALIVE aka DEATH TRAP isn't as compelling for me, although still atmospheric. It reminds me of a David Lynch film. Agree with what you have said about HALLOWEEN III and this is my favorite Tom Atkins role. Nice that you love THE FOG. I just wish it had been a bit more graphic. I even think John Carpenter has commented on this himself.
PIECES was crud and I am pleased that you like THE FAN. Stapleton was always an asset to the films she starred in. Yes, Douglas was a real cutie and very gay. How could he not be. I wanted to see more interaction with him and his sister when she came to briefly visit.
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Was Bava a poor man's Argento?
___________________
I kind of always thought that Argento would have been a poor man's Bava, for one reason because he started making movies a good ten years before Argento. But, also, Mario Bava was, IMHO, a more talented director than Argento. I love Dario Argento and he directed so many awesome, spectacularly violent deaths. I would be pressed to pick a top five. And what he was good at he was very good at. He was usually not good with actors (no big deal as far as I'm concerned) and he had zero head space for a story. He just didn't go that way. Bava's direction didn't provoke the same stunned responses that Argento did, but as far as atmosphere, there was nobody who did it better. "Black Sabbath", "Blood and Black Lace" (my personal favorite, so exquisite), "Black Sunday", "Kill, Baby Kill", "5 Dolls for the August Moon". They were both, without a doubt, exceptional visual directors and Argento had a stronger flair for the show stopping death scene. Argento did amazing stuff in the 70s and 80s. But by doing the subtler thing and the more inventive inventive thing, I suppose, Bava wins the creepy factor. And Bava proved that he could do flamboyantly violent murders in TOTDN as well as anybody. Also, Mario Bava took on so many different genres. He directed westerns and gladiator movies (Erik the Conqueror) and science fiction movies (Planet of Vampires) and a comic strip movie (Danger! Diabolik!) and sex comedies (4 Times Last Night) as well as his beloved giallos. He also did one pretty hard hitting modern crime drama, "Rabid Dogs". I saw it, thought it was pretty entertaining and very fast-moving, and I never would have guessed he had directed it. Also, RABID DOGS got Bava his highest IMDB rating, I'm pretty sure. But I love both guys. Now, Lucio Fulci, not so much.
What Argento movies have you seen, Rascal? (Excuse me, please, I may have asked you this question before.)
Thanks for the run down on Bava. I would love to see Blood and Black Lace at your recommendation. You are so much more informed and educated on older films than I, and I appreciate any and all input you have Mr. H. Yes, it makes sense what you have written about Argento and he would have likely been inspired by Bava too. As we both love atmosphere, when Argento does do it right, he usually hits a bullseye.
I haven't seen any Argento prior to Deep Red-75', which I enjoy; but not as much as Suspria-77', which I regard his masterpiece. Inferno-80' is hit and miss for me and while there are some excellent surreal and bizarre horror sequences, it doesn't awe me, or have impact on an emotional level. Tenebrae-82', pretty much the same and I think I would prefer Inferno over this. This brings us to Phenomena aka Creepers-85'. This has always been the uncut version available in NZ and OZ and it knocked me for a six when I first viewed on vhs in the mid 80's. You have commented several times that you love the film also. It has a meld of all the right elements to make it work and provide the atmosphere required to reflect the substance, and the last part set in the teachers house is actually quite sublime. A real winner. Opera-87' isn't bad, but again it doesn't really resonate with me like Suspria or Phenomena and there are other films I would rather watch.
After that, the only other 2 I have seen are Trauma-93', which I found quite forgettable and Giallo-09, which if I never see again, it will be to soon. Never been a fan of Adrien Brody either. I dislike watching him, just as much as I dislike Christian Bale and Georgette Clooney. Imagine have to watch The Money Maker, with Clooney and Julia Roberts. What a nightmare that would be to sit through. 😄
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Mr H, there is one slasher that I left off my list and I tend to forget about it for some reason; but thinking about it, I might rate it higher as a HM over The Prowler and that is Silent Scream-79'. It is unpretentious, has a big creepy house and seaside atmosphere, the story is intriguing and mysterious, and the acting is decent. There is not a big body count and the violence isn't graphic except for some blood splatter; but the killings are well executed and have some shock value to them. The characters are quite likable and interesting too. It also has Barbara Steele, who is perfect in her deranged part.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩