having to watch a young George Costanza play a horny teenage camper was more shocking than any slasher movie kill in filmic history
A caretaker at a summer camp is burned when a prank goes tragically wrong. After several years of intensive treatment at hospital, he is released back into society, albeit missing some social skills. What follows is a bloody killing spree with the caretaker making his way back to his old stomping ground to confront one of the youths that accidentally burned him.
Where to watch
1The Burning is showing in 1 cinema in Los Angeles — next screening Friday 24 July at 19:30 at 1984 Vintage & 1984 Horror.
Friday, 24 July
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Cast & crew
6What people say
73Tough one to talk about now, as Harvey Weinstein was involved in story and production, and the perverted 80s summer camp antics are particularly uncomfortable. The Burning is very cruel and mean-spirited, even in comparison to Friday the 13th. But this is still quite evocative as a Slasher, with Tom Savini's make-up effects astonishing in every instance. The raft sequence is one of the great moments in the sub-genre. Brutal as fuck. And the look and feel of the campgrounds and forests...incredibly eerie. Very nightmarish. Young George Costanza is here too!
There was once a point where I wished The Burning was more compact. I don’t care about that anymore, after that brutal prank opening I love how the first half of this feels like a Meatballs segment. I love how it takes it’s time before erupting into a volcanic blood geyser half way in, I love how it still manages to give us an (almost as) memorable axe to the face-blood spewing finale AND a campire tale ending.My buddy Nat perfectly describes The Burning as “Opening like some grimy Bill Lustig nyc sleazefest before turning into a Meatballs sequel... then the raft scene happens.” He’s so spot on, at that point The Burning becomes totally unhinged—Severed fingers, throat stabbings, face slashing, teens screaming in sheer terror with blood dripping out of their mouths as the screen fades to red in the aftermath. It’s a perfect cinematic massacre—not too long, bloody as hell, and realistic to the point where I kinda squirm a bit... it’s definitely an attention grabber and a loud ‘all bets are off’ announcement courtesy of Tom Savini’s savage effects.I’ve seen Friday the 13th clone/rip-off thrown around a lot, sure, that may be true but The Burning was just as much of a video store favorite of mine in my formative years and I always wished we had gotten a sequel. This is a savage movie that doesn’t necessarily feel as predictable as it is... there a sense of danger to it and savagery unlike the other more familiar franchise movies. Easily one of my favorite slashers and one I wish got a ton of sequels.It also helps that I grew up in an area where the Cropsey urban legend was told regularly to scare the shit out of kids. I was one of those kids lol.
Common questions
What is The Burning about?+
A disfigured caretaker, who was severely burned in a prank gone wrong, returns to a summer camp years later to hunt down the teenagers responsible for his injuries.
Who directed The Burning?+
Tony Maylam directed this 1981 slasher film, which is noted for its practical effects.
Is The Burning considered a cult classic?+
Yes, it is often cited by horror enthusiasts for its effective practical effects and its distinct, mean-spirited tone compared to other slashers of that era.
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