Written by: Michael Den Boer on April 4th, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: UK, 1976
Director: Pete Walker
Cast: Lynne Frederick, John Leyton, Stephanie Beacham, John Fraser, Leonard Hawthorne, Jack Watson, Queenie Watts, Trisha Mortimer, Paul Alexander
DVD released: April 29th, 2008
Approximate running time: 109 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Salvation Films/Redemption
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.95
Synopsis: Samantha on the eve of her wedding is harassed by a man from her past. Soon dead bodies start turning up pushing her fragile mind to the brink of sanity. Who is this man and what does he want from her?
Schizo was directed by Pete Walker one of the UK’s most prominent horror directors during the 1970’s. The films of Pete Walker are known for their body counts and nudity. Schizo’s plot at times feel more like a by the numbers exercise in horror filmmaking. The plot features many elements like a shower scene that is loosely similar to the one in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and flashback sequences and a séance scene that bear many striking similarities to Dario Argento’s Deep Red.
Visually Schizo is a well crafted film that features a lot of style and interesting camera compositions. The films nearly two hour length does stretch the story out with a few mundane scenes which add very little. Despite its length and these scenes the end result is a very effect thriller that pays off with a twist ending out of left field.
The cast for Schizo are all very good with Stephanie Beacham in the secondary role of Beth the best friend. Actor Jack Watson as William Haskin does a solid job menacing the main character Samantha who is played by Lynne Frederick who does a superb job as the women in peril. Stanley Myers score for the film adds tension and menace to the darker moments of homicidal mayhem. Ultimately if you are interested in checking out classic British horror films then Schizo a solid example that will keep you on the edge on your seat until its shocking conclusion.
The DVD:
Redemption Films presents Schizo is an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the films original aspect ratio and framing. This title was previously released by Image Entertainment in 2001 and the transfer for this release looks similar to the previous release. There is mild print damage, colors look nicely saturated and details are strong outside a few darker scenes with look a tad too dark.
Only one audio option is included a Dolby Digital mono mix in English. The audio is limited at times especially during moments where music. There audio sounds clean and the dialog is easy enough to follow.
Extra wise besides the usual Redemption promo’s/extra content the only extras related to the main feature Schizo are a stills gallery and a Pete Walker filmography. Redemption Films Schizo while not definitive is still a welcome release to a film that has long been unavailable at an affordable price.