EDGE OF THE AXE (1988) Jose Ramon Larraz slasher film!
3142DVD
Director
Jose Ramon Larraz delivers a Smart Slasher Film
Spanish
Title: AL FILO DEL HACHA [Edge of the Axe]
director: Jose Ramon Larraz (as Joseph Braunstein)
starring: Barton Faulks · Christina Maria Lane · Page Mosely · Patty
Shepard · Jack Taylor
A masked
serial killer is murdering women in a small Northern California town.
Barton Faulks plays Gerald Martin, a young drifter with a computer-tech
background who has recently relocated in in Paddock County. Through a
work friend, he meets Lillian. They immediately click and become a item.
In the heat of all the romantic fun, other young women are getting hacked
to pieces by a maniac wearing a white mask, carrying a large axe. Among
the victims are a prostitute, a farmer's wife, and a woman from the church
choir. As it turns out, they all have one thing in common... which leads
to a (very) surprising ending.
Shot
on location in Mexico, this is Jose Ramon Larraz's first venture into
the slasher genre, but not his last [he would return to the genre in 1990
for SAVAGE
LUST ]. While certainly not on the same level as his legendary
films (WHIRLPOOL,
VAMPYRES,
SEXUAL
RITES OF THE DEVIL, SCREAM
AND DIE, et al), this is a well-written film, with a variety
of impressive death scenes, likable characters, and accomplished cinematography.
Euro filmmaker Jose Ramon Larraz fought diligently in the '70s and '80s
to loosen censorship restrictions in his home country of Spain. Often,
his films would push the boundaries of cultural acceptability. Towards
the end of his career, he ventured to North America where he made numerous
films, usually under the alias Joseph Braunstein. Director Larraz died
September 3, 2013 in Andalucía, Spain at age 83.
Shot
in English language, fullscreen print (4:3); totally uncut version (90
minutes), DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC WORLD FORMAT. Extras include
trailers.
Graphic
Violence/Sexual Themes/Nudity/Drugs
for Mature Audiences
