Watch It's Murder!

It's Murder! is a 1977 horror-comedy film directed by Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel, who also star in the movie alongside Cheryl Guttridge. The film is centered around a group of college students who decide to spend their weekend in an old abandoned mansion, where they hope to relax and unwind from the stress of their academic lives. However, their plans for a peaceful retreat are quickly foiled when they stumble upon a dead body in the mansion, and are subsequently stalked by a mysterious killer who seems hell-bent on murdering them all.

The opening scene of the film sets the tone for the rest of the movie, with a black and white newsreel-style segment depicting a brutal murder that took place in the mansion years before. The scene serves as a warning to the audience that the weekend getaway may not be as relaxing as the students had hoped.

As the college students arrive at the mansion, they soon discover that it is far from the idyllic retreat they had envisioned. The house is rundown and creepy, with strange noises and unexplained occurrences happening throughout the night. Before long, they find themselves caught up in a game of cat and mouse with the killer, who seems to be lurking around every corner.

The movie is notable for its use of humor throughout, which helps to lighten the tense and scary atmosphere. Smart one-liners, slapstick comedy, and over-the-top gore all contribute to the film's darkly comedic tone. The cast's performances also add to the movie's humor, with Sam Raimi giving a standout performance as the bumbling and nervous character, Shemp.

It's Murder! is also notable for its inventive camerawork and editing, which demonstrates the then-early careers of both Raimi and Spiegel. The film features fast-paced editing, Dutch angles, and inventive camera movements, all of which add to the sense of unease and tension throughout the movie.

Despite its low budget and amateurish aesthetics, It's Murder! manages to be an effective and entertaining horror film, with a surprisingly strong script and solid performances from the cast. The ending of the movie is particularly notable, as it defies expectations and delivers a satisfying payoff that ties together all of the film's loose threads.

In conclusion, It's Murder! is a horror-comedy gem from the late 1970s that is well worth seeking out for fans of the genre. Directed by Sam Raimi and Scott Spiegel, with an excellent cast and an inventive visual style, the film manages to be both scary and hilarious at the same time. It's a cult classic that has stood the test of time and continues to entertain audiences to this day.