Drive in Massacre

Before we get into the review of Drive-In Massacre let me say it does boast one very big claim to fame.  This little film actually pre dates Halloween and Friday the 13thh in terms of slashers.  Its been a long traded VHS tape and turns up at bootleg tables at conventions on a regular basis.  Well bootleg no more as Severin has released this long sought after classic on Blu-ray

Drive-In Massacre takes place at, you guessed it, a Drive-In.  The film actually opens with a couple getting hot and heavy in there car.  When the guy reaches out to grab a little speaker gimmick to hear the film we see a sword slash his head off.  Then the sword comes in and slashes his girlfriend. Cut to the next day and two homicide detective are on the case.

Turns out the Drive-In used to be a carnival.  The former owner left town with his sword collection, yea not suspicious, and left a very angry man in charge, Austin Johnson, seems to basically hate everyone, especially Germy, the custodian he was told he had to keep on staff.  Germy used to be a sword swallower until an accident left him a bit worse for wear.  He tells the detectives he has seen a peeping tom moving cars and following people at the drive-in on a nightly basis.

With that we have our suspects and plot.  I wont lie the film has good on screen kills but not very many.  Its a very dialogue driven picture, and that's actually ok as the cast and the writing are very good in all actuality.  The majority of the film does take place at the drive in of course and as it was shot in the 70's still has that grimy exploitation feel about it.

The one thing that is the definite sell point is the ending.  Its a very unique way to end a film and it actually ranks as one of my favorite slasher film endings.  Also the original poster was a thing of beauty with the warnings of how disturbing it was and the propaganda that it was real.

Severin really found a lost classic hear and did a remarkable job with the transfer.  They found the original negative in the ruins of the Sky View Drive-In in Oxnard for God's sakes.  THe picture quality and the sound are fantastic.

If you have never seen this, or just want a perfect copy pick it up.  Special features include

• Audio Commentary with Director Stu Segall
• Drive-In Days: Interview with Star/Co-Writer John F. Goff
• Norm Sheridan Recalls Drive-In Massacre
• Making the Massacre: Interview with Director Stu Segall
• Theatrical Trailer
  
•                                                   Reverse Cover Art
  

Overall 3 out of 5 stars.

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