The Burning

There are many murder weapons in the arsenal of 80s slasher icons. Chainsaws and axes, arrowheads and kitchen knives, machetes and nail guns. In THE BURNING, the not entirely innocent teenagers from summer camp have to deal with a hell of a pair of scissors. The former janitor, who is still sour because he was badly burned during a prank, does it.

THE BURNING is considered a classic slasher movie, even though it was unfortunately often overlooked in the shadow of FRIDAY THE 13TH. Gorehounds will remember that Tom Savini's effects craft in particular deserves a firm place in splatter heaven. But THE BURNING also offers everything you love about 80s horror in other respects. It doesn't have to make much sense, but fun to watch. By the way, director Tony Maylam ventured back into the horror genre a good ten years later and delivered SPLIT SECOND (1991) with Rutger Hauer and Kim Cattrall. We won't be showing it at the festival (this year), but you should take a look when you get the chance!