Plot: What’s it about?
Samantha Gray (Lynne Frederick) has a troubled past, as she was the sole witness to the murder of her own mother. This event has of course stuck with her, but it hasn’t caused her many problems to this point. She is a gorgeous young woman with a good life and in a short while, she plans to wed her boyfriend, Alan (John Leyton). At the same time, a mysterious man has read about her wedding in the newspaper and takes a morbid interest. This man begins to learn as much as he can about her and her life, from the obvious facts to the intimate secrets, he wants to get as close to Samantha as possible. After a short time, he starts to appear wherever she goes and while she warns those around her, they dismiss it as part of her troubled mental condition. But when one of her friends is killed and it looks as if a pattern is starting, some folks begin to listen to her ideas, as insane as they once sounded. Who is this horrific man, why has he chosen to stalk Samantha, and most importantly, will she be able to survive his wrath?
Yet another of Pete Walker’s films has been included in Image’s Euroshock Collection, as Schizo has now been added to the series. I am glad to be able to add Schizo to my collection, as it might not be a great movie, but it has some great moments. I admit this one telegraphs most of the plot twists and even the finale, but the road to these events is worth the trek, so I have minimal complaints in that respect. Yes, I think some polish is needed in terms of the writing, but since it turns out well enough, I won’t kick a dead horse. If you’re a horror movie fan, then you’re used to predictable plots and as such, no harm no foul with Schizo. Aside from the writing issues, this is a pretty good flick, as Walker’s direction is solid and the elements seem in place. The performances are better than you’d expect from a slasher picture, especially one of this nature and I think Walker is to credit, as he could often steer his actresses toward the right approaches. As you’d expect from a Walker film, you’ll also see plenty of blood and flesh in Schizo, simply splendid indeed. I recommend this release to fans of slasher movies, as it has some flaws, but is still fun & very worthwhile.
This film was produced and directed by Pete Walker, which means it has all the elements we exploitation fans crave and then some. I have to say that Schizo is a little tamer than some of Walker’s other pictures, but it still packs a punch, to be sure. Walker infuses frequent nudity to spice things up, as well as various scenes of death & bloodshed. I like the scene with the knitting needle myself, but Schizo has numerous memorable gore scenes, so fans of the red stuff should be pleased here. I think Walker needed to give this one a shot in the arm at times, but as far as slasher movies go, this one is at the watermark, sometimes even above it. Other films directed by Walker include School for Sex, The Flesh and Blood Show, Frightmare, Die Screaming Marianne, and House of Whipcord. The cast includes Lynne Frederick (Vampire Circus, Voyage of the Damned), John Leyton (Von Ryan’s Express, The Great Escape), Jack Watson (The Sea Wolves, Grand Prix), and Stephanie Beacham (Troop Beverly Hills, Inseminoid).
Video: How does it look?
Schizo is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The image here is a marked improvement over any version I’ve seen, but due to the source material, is still less than flawless. The print here looks good, but shows frequent pops and specks, as well as some other minor signs of wear and such. Even so, these issues never really proved to be a distraction, save a handful of isolated cases. I was quite pleased with the black levels however, as they look rich and never murky, which is vital in a film such as this one. The colors look a tad dated, but have held up rather well, all things considered. As this is a low budget slasher flick with some years behind it, I can’t use the usual scale, so I am taking all aspects into consideration. If this were a more recent film, I’d score it lower, but since it isn’t, my final score stands a tad higher.
Audio: How does it sound?
This release uses a mono option and while it isn’t too memorable, it more than serves its purpose. The nature of the production is evident in the track at times, as some age signs can be heard, but no serious issues arise. The music and sound effects are as well presented as the material and mono track allow, which is more than decent. The dialogue is never muffled and always at a proper volume, so no complaints there either. Not one of the more memorable tracks I’ve heard, but it gets the job done, which is what counts.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc contains no bonus materials.
