Watch Maniac
- NR
- 1963
- 1 hr 26 min
-
5.9 (1,508)
Maniac is a 1963 horror film directed by Michael Carreras and starring Kerwin Mathews, Nadia Gray, and Donald Houston. The film's plot revolves around a scientist named Dr. Henry Cordell who experiments with brain tissue regeneration in a bid to revive his late fiancée Janine. Cordell is played by Kerwin Mathews, while Houston portrays his colleague Dr. Lomas and Gray plays the role of Cordell's deceased fiancée.
The film begins with Cordell conducting experiments to revive Janine's brain. However, the experiment goes wrong, and Janine becomes a disfigured and homicidal creature. Cordell is forced to flee from his own laboratory, fearing for his life, and begins a life on the run. Meanwhile, Janine is on a killing spree throughout the city, and the authorities are closing in on Cordell, suspecting him of the murders.
The film features some genuinely creepy scenes and a great atmosphere of terror throughout. The movie's black and white cinematography adds to the overall mood of the film and creates a chilling world in which the story unfolds. The musical score by Wilfred Josephs is also excellent and enhances the film's eerie atmosphere.
The story is very much a product of its time and is reminiscent of classic horror tales like Frankenstein and The Invisible Man. The film's use of science fiction concepts is also a nod to the Cold War era when science was seen as a powerful force that could either save or destroy humanity.
The acting in the film is solid, with Kerwin Mathews delivering an intense and tortured performance as the scientist driven by his love for Janine. Nadia Gray is equally convincing as the reanimated Janine, portraying the character's physical disfigurement and emotional instability with great skill.
The film's special effects are impressive, considering its low budget. The makeup work on Nadia Gray's character is particularly memorable, and the film's graphic violence and gore retain their shock value, even decades after the film's initial release.
Overall, Maniac is an entertaining and memorable horror film that delivers plenty of scares and thrills. While the film's plot and themes may seem somewhat dated to modern audiences, it remains a classic example of 1960s horror cinema that has stood the test of time.
Maniac is a 1963 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.