The Legacy
What comes to mind when someone mentions the name Tom Savini? (Night of the living dead, Friday the 13th, Maniac, The burning) If I had a few words for my two cents, I would have to say FX Legend. Tom's tour in Vietnam as a combat cameraman helped inspire his need for perfection when it came to cinematic effects. His attention to detail and creativity translated to perfection on the screen when it came to blood and guts.
In 1981 The Prowler hit box offices and Savini's genius was showcased yet again. This work of art is considered some of Tom's best work, and according to him some of his favorite work. The film was very innovative and considered somewhat controversial since the killer is a heartbroken veteran. While the story can be all over the place at time, the gore is more than enough to satisfy the rabid horror fan.
The Plot
The film starts off with a newsflash explaining soldiers are returning from war and are preparing to readjust to a "normal" life at home. Next a woman named Rosemary is writing a Dear John letter to her boyfriend who was overseas, she stated that she just wanted to be friends. The first scene takes place at a Graduation Dance, which many returning Veterans are attending. Rosemary is attending the dance with her beau Roy, who comes off as a spoiled trustfund baby. He isnt in the film long but he only talks about how much money his father has. Roy suggests they leave the dance so they can go somewhere and fool around, Rosemary agrees. The two go off to a gazebo away from the party, they are then approached by a "Prowler" dressed in a combat uniform (Which is pretty cool, a very underrated costume for the 80's slashers) the two are then impaled by a pitchfork, and the killer leaves a rose behind.
The film then jumps ahead 35 years to reveal a group of College Seniors prepping for their Graduation Dance allowed since the murder that took place in the opening (kind of like the slasher version of Footloose minus Kevin Bacon). Pam Mcdonald the films main protagonist is the typical all american girl and her group of friends seem cookie cutter yet kind of cute. Her friends Lisa, Sherry and Sherry's beau Carl are putting up decorations and deputy sherrif Mark walks up. The sherrif is said to be going on a fishing trip leaving Mark in charge of the office in his abscence. It is then revealed that there has been a "Prowler on the loose and for people to be careful while they celebrate. Sherry and Carl go to what I assume is a college dorm, the two start talking and the conversation turns sexual. Carl asks if he could join Sherry in the shower, which she replies how fast could he get undressed. As Carl is preparing to join Sherry in the shower he is grabbed by the prowler who then stabs him with a bayonet, The Prowler then advances towards Sherry in what I believe is the best kill in the entire film. Not sure if its because its a shower scene and the blood and penetration from the weapon seem extremely realistic. The story is extremely overshadowed by the practical effects, but then again if you have Tom Savini on the team the people will come for the gore.
Later that evening Pam sees Mark at the dance and shyly motions him to approach her. As he heads in her direction Lisa interrupts his movement and asks him to dance, which makes Pam jealous. After the dance they both go towards Pam and Lisa intentionally spills her drink on her Ball gown. Pam runs off in embarrassment to change in the dorm room. She is then confronted by the Prowler and manages to escape his advances, but is then grabbed by Major Chatham, an old man in a wheelchair. Pam gets away to go tell Sherrif Mark about what happened in the dorm room. Finding nothing but prints back in the dorm, the two decide to investigate the home of the man who grabbed her as she was running away. Pam discovers that he is the father of the young Rosemary who was killed in the beginning . The next cluster of kills begins with Lisa the girl who tried winning the Sherrifs affection and attention. She is walking around the pool when her throat is slit. Pam and Mark walk past the cemetery to discover an open grave with Lisa in it, they get to a house and Mark tries to get in contact with the Sherrif with no luck. As they go back to investigate Major Chatham, they are attacked by the Prowler and manage to subdue him. They decide to unmask him to reveal the killer is Sherrif George Fraser, the end scene is a dreamlike scene and the end in my opinion is somewhat bland. Again, I am not knocking the film, its a favorite of mine of the 80's, but this film relied heavily on the death scenes to carry the film.
Fun Facts
- This film is the reason director Joeseph Zito was offered the chance to Direct Friday the 13th the final chapter.
- The prowler was portrayed by 3 different Actors, one of them being Tom Savini.
- Eight people are killed in the film.
- Internationally released as Rosemary's Killer.
