R2 U.K. DVD
The Burning is not the easiest movie to find in the United States for some reason. It has yet to be released on DVD over here, for reasons unknown to me. So that leaves me with having to review a copy of a DVD-R version, which happens to be the same version I also own on Region 2.
I find it strange that a movie that was released by Miramax and co-written by Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein does have a release. The Burning was also virtually impossible to find back in the UK up until just a few years ago as well, having been banned for many years.
So what is all the fuss about? Is it that violent? Or is it just too bad to get a release? The answers are no to both. Sure it does have its bloody moments, but nothing that shocking, certainly not when compared to other movies. It definitely isn’t too bad either. Sure, it doesn’t have an original bone in its body, but that doesn’t make it a bad movie.
On to the movie then shall we? What’s it all about? Well, as any self-respecting horror fan should know, it’‘s not a good idea to play practical jokes on people. Especially if the victim is already a miserable sod. But that is what a group of kids decide to do whilst at camp.
Cropsy is the camp caretaker and is not the most popular person in the world, so one night some kids decide to try and scare the bejesus out of him. They do this by placing a maggot ridden skull, complete with lit candles, beside his bed whilst he is asleep. They then precede to wake him up, which is when the shit hits the fan.
Upon awakening, Cropsy knocks the burning skull onto his bed, which of course goes up like a forest fire. To make matters worse he also stores all his gasoline in his bedroom, I mean, what caretaker worth his salt wouldn’t store it right by his bed? Anyway you can guess what happens next. That’s right, it’s barbeque time at Cropsy’s place. Problem is, it is him that is going to be cooked.
So much for practical jokes hey kids!
Despite going up like a bonfire poor Cropsy doesn’t die. Instead he spends the next five years in hospital recuperating. Well, as much as humanly possible, before finally being discharged when the doctor’s inform him that there is nothing more they can do for him.
Events then shift to another Summer camp, one that is not a million miles away from the scene of the opening prank, where a new group of kids (including Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander with a full head of hair) are enjoying their summer. You just know the summer is going to head straight up shit creek before too long though.
So as you can see this is all very predictable stuff, but for some reason it is just so damned enjoyable. The movie doesn’t just go straight for the jugular and start offing teens left, right and center. Instead it actually takes its time, letting us get to know the characters a little more. Not that it matters too much as there is the usual selection of scantily clad girls, comedians and bullies. All the classic ingredients that go towards casting a slasher flick.
Unlike many slashers though, a good portion of the cast you will actually find to be quite likeable. Sure you know there is a good chance that most won’t make it through to the closing credits, but that makes it all the more unsettling.
That doesn’t mean to say that the acting was fantastic, not at all, it was however certainly above the standard of many slasher flicks. However, there are loads of kids in this movie, some of which will get on your nerves making you hope they meet a bloody demise sooner rather than later! On the whole though the acting is not too shabby.
As with many movies of the era Tom Savini is on board to supply us with some suitably gruesome special effects. The raft sequence in particular stands out as an especially nasty scene. However unlike some movies though the camera doesn’t linger too long on the gore. A fact you might find surprising for a movie with such a reputation for its violence.
The Burning is actually a bloody good movie. I know it doesn’t break any new ground but so what, it’s a cracking good yarn. So someone please give this a decent release. Even the Region 2 version is devoid of any worthy extras, in fact all that is on the disc is a picture gallery and some trailers. Considering this movie had the talents of Savini onboard, along with Rick Wakeman (who composed the score) you’d think someone could have rustled something worthy to add to the disc. Maybe one day.
If you can find a copy of The Burning I recommend you grab a copy, because as slasher flicks go this is certainly one of the better examples of the genre.
