Watch The Burning

The Burning is a 1981 slasher film that follows the story of a group of teenagers who are stalked and attacked by a disfigured caretaker at their summer camp in upstate New York. Directed by Tony Maylam and produced by Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein, the film stars Brian Matthews as Todd, a shy and reserved young man who becomes the target of the caretaker's wrath, Leah Ayres as Michelle, Todd's love interest, and Brian Backer as Alfred, a prankster who is constantly teasing and bullying Todd.

The movie begins with a flashback to five years earlier when a group of boys at the same summer camp played a prank on the creepy caretaker named Cropsy (played by Lou David), which led to him being severely burned and disfigured. Now, Cropsy is seeking revenge and has returned to the camp to inflict pain and suffering on the young campers.

The Burning is a classic slasher film that exemplifies the genre with its gruesome killings, gratuitous nudity, and shocking twists. The film is unapologetically violent and gory, with scenes that are sure to make even the most hardened horror fans flinch. However, it also manages to build tension and suspense throughout the film, keeping the audience on the edge of their seat as they wait to see who will be the next victim.

One of the film's strengths is its well-developed characters, which makes the audience care about them and their survival. Todd is the film's protagonist and is a relatable and sympathetic character who is trying to find his place in the world. His love interest, Michelle, is portrayed as a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to take charge and fight back against Cropsy. Alfred, on the other hand, is the film's antagonist and is portrayed as a cruel and sadistic bully who takes pleasure in tormenting Todd.

Aside from the main characters, the supporting cast is also well written and well acted, with each character having their own unique personalities and quirks. This helps to create an immersive and believable world, and makes the film's gruesome killings all the more shocking and disturbing.

The film's cinematography and score are also noteworthy, with the former using dark and foreboding lighting to create a sense of dread and danger. The latter, composed by Rick Wakeman, is an excellent example of an 80s horror score, with synthesizers and orchestral elements combining to create an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.

However, while The Burning is a well-made and effective horror film, it is not without its flaws. The film's pacing can be slow at times, with some scenes feeling dragged out and unnecessary. Additionally, the film's ending is somewhat unsatisfying, with some loose ends left untied and questions left unanswered.

Overall, The Burning is a classic slasher film that is sure to please fans of the genre. While it may not be for everyone due to its extreme violence and gore, it is a well-made and effective horror movie that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Burning is a 1981 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 42.