Martin (1977)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

George A. Romero

Writer:

George A. Romero (writer)

Release Date:

7 July 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror

Tagline:

A Vampire for Our Age of Disbelief

Plot:

A young man, who believes himself to be a vampire, goes to live with his elderly and hostile cousin in a small Pennsylvania town where he tries to redeem his blood-craving urges.

Plot Keywords:

Vampire | Razor Blade | Blood | Hypodermic | Marching Band

Cast

John Amplas	...	Martin Madahas
Lincoln Maazel	...	Tada Cuda
Christine Forrest	...	Christina
Elyane Nadeau	...	Mrs. Santini
Tom Savini	...	Arthur
Sara Venable	...	Housewife Victim
Francine Middleton	...	Train Victim (as Fran Middleton)
Roger Caine	...	Lewis (as Al Levitsky)
George A. Romero	...	Father Howard
James Roy	...	Deacon
J. Clifford Forrest Jr.	...	Father Zulemas
Robert Ogden	...	Businessman
Donaldo Soviero	...	Flashback Priest
Donna Siegel	...	Woman
Albert J. Schmaus	...	Family Member
Lilian Schmaus	...	Family Member
Frances Mazzoni	...	Family Member
Vincent D. Survinski	...	Train Porter
Tony Buba	...	Drug Dealer
Pasquale Buba	...	Drug Dealer
Clayton McKinnon	...	Drug Dealer
Regis J. Survinski	...	Hobo
Tony Pantanella	...	Hobo
Harvey Eger	...	Man in Bathroom
Tom Weber	...	Man in Bathroom
Robert Barner	...	Policeman
Stephen Fergelic	...	Policeman
Douglas Serene	...	Cyclist
Jeanne Serene	...	Cyclist
Nicholas Mastandrea	...	Marine (as Nick Mastandrea)
John Sozansky	...	Marine
Ingeborg Forrest	...	Mrs. Anderson
Carol McClosky	...	Mrs. Bellini
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Gornick	...	Radio Talk Show Host (uncredited)

Directed by
George A. Romero

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
George A. Romero		writer

Produced by
Patricia Bernesser	....	associate producer
Richard P. Rubinstein	....	producer
Ray Schmaus	....	associate producer
Ben Barenholtz	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Donald Rubinstein

Cinematography by
Michael Gornick

Film Editing by
George A. Romero

Makeup Department
Tom Savini	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Michael Gornick	....	post-production supervisor

Sound Department
Tony Buba	....	sound

Special Effects by
Tom Savini	....	special effects

Stunts
Tom Savini	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Phillip Desiderio	....	grip
Tom Dubensky	....	assistant camera (as Tom Dubinsky)
Steve Lalich	....	grip
Nicholas Mastandrea	....	assistant camera (as Nick Mastandrea)

Editorial Department
Michael di Lauro	....	post-production assistant
Ed Keen	....	post-production assistant

Music Department
Maurizio Guarini	....	musician (as Goblin)
Jay Mandell	....	music engineer: Triton Studio
Agostino Marangolo	....	musician (as Goblin)
Massimo Morante	....	musician (as Goblin)
Fabio Pignatelli	....	musician (as Goblin)
Claudio Simonetti	....	musician (as Goblin)

Other crew
Barney C. Guttman	....	financial services
Tony Pantanella	....	technical assistant
Donna Siegel	....	assistant to producer (as Donna Siegal)
Regis J. Survinski	....	technical assistant
Joyce Weber	....	production coordinator

Production Companies

• Laurel Entertainment Inc.
• Libra Films

Distributors

• Libra Films International (1978) (USA) (theatrical)
• Les Grands Films Classiques (GFC) (1978) (France) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Arrow (UK) (DVD)
• Capelight Pictures (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
• Dabara Films (Canada)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (video)
• Image Entertainment (laserdisc)
• LMP (Brazil) (VHS)
• Laurel Productions
• Lions Gate Films (2004) (North America) (all media)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2008) (Australia) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Goldberg & Snodgrass  legal services
• The Animators Inc.  titles

Also Known As:

George A. Romero's Martin (Australia)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | Germany:16 (re-rating) (2005) | West Germany:18 (original rating) | France:-16 | Iceland:16 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Braddock, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Laurel Entertainment Inc.

Trivia:

The films setting of Braddock, Pennsylvania is indeed a real city outside of Pittsburgh. Local neighborhoods served as filming locations for the film and many locals appear as extras. The cops used for the shootout scene were actual Braddock policemen.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the encounter in his bedroom with Martin, Tada Cuda is seen walking to his store with another man. In the next cut in front of the door the man is not there.

Quotes:

Martin Madahas: You want me here for sex, don't you. I never really did it before, I was always too shy. But I've decided I'd really like to do it with you.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Dead Will Walk (2004) (V)

Unflinchingly original.

Between seminal 'zombie' flicks "Night of the Living Dead", and the follow-up, "Dawn of the Dead", George A. Romero created two of the most overlooked horror movies, not only of the 1970's, but maybe of all time. Four years after the socio-political horror of "The Crazies", he returned with "Martin", a vampire film like no other before or since.

Romero's intelligent movie turns on its head all the things associated with the genre, and presents us with a modern day story of addiction, sexuality, and obsession. Martin is your average gawky teenager, a little boy lost in a chaotic world, with an insatiable appetite for human blood. But, where previously that vampiric bloodlust is a sign of great sexual prowess, and overpowering self-importance, here it is a curse. Martin's world is one of unfulfilled desire and confusion. He is ostracised from family, with few friends - his only confidante is the faceless radio talkshow host - and our sympathies are with him throughout. His attacks are fuelled not by pleasure, but more by a fruitless search for intimacy with his victims, who aren't picked off indiscriminately by uncontrollable urges, but rather chosen. When he finally finds 'the sex thing', his need for blood is overcome. Although gruesome and calculated, his attacks aren't excessively violent, and the opening scene is perfectly written to repulse and reprieve in equal measure. What initially appears to be a brutal rape, is twisted by Romero into an almost tender love scene between attacker and victim.

With brilliant use of locations, and nondescript atmosphere, "Martin" is a horror movie that both disturbs and intrigues. The performances are erratic, and Maazel is way too OTT, spouting "Nosferatu!!" all histrionics and melodrama. But Amplas, as Martin, is genuinely affecting, and steeped in pathos. Unflinchingly original, a horror movie with gore, but plenty of brains to go with it.