The Burning. 1981.
The Burning is a 1981 slasher film directed by Tony Maylam, with music by Rick Wakeman. It tells the story of a cruel, alcoholic, sadistic caretaker at a summer camp (nicknamed “Cropsy” and based on the urban legend of Cropsey) who falls victim to a prank that went out of control which leaves him horribly burned and disfigured. Following his release from hospital, he returns to his old stomping ground and begins a murder spree. The film was one of the first from Miramax Films: Harvey Weinstein produced the film and Bob Weinstein was a co-writer. Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens and Oscar winner Holly Hunter all made their motion picture debuts in this film. (Wiki)
Release date: May 8, 1981 (initial release)
Director: Tony Maylam
DVD release date: September 11, 2007
Running time: 91 minutes
Screenplay: Tony Maylam, Harvey Weinstein
The Burning is a must see film for any fan of 80’s slashers. A maniac stalking the woods of a remote summer camp seeking vengence upon sex crazed half naked teens sounds all to familiar doesn’t it? While The Burning is a blatant rip off of Friday the 13th, who cares? It is a decent film in it’s own right. A cast of likable characters, tons of blood (by none other than Tom Savini) and a horribly disfigured villain. What’s not to like. Add in some 80’s synth (yeah!), full frontal female nudity, some gory deaths and a remote backwoods camp setting and you have all the right ingredients for a quintessential early 80’s slasher. While not perfect by any means, The Burning is definitely recommended viewing in my opinion. Oh ya and you get to see George Castanza with a full head of hair!! The Burning @ IMDb.
I’m dying to see this movie. I’ve heard a lot about it so I’m going to watch it ASAP!
You know what, if you are at all into slashers, especially 80’s slashers you’ll like it. It’s running on netflix rite now. Check it out!