The Hillside Strangler (2004)

Director:

Chuck Parello

Writers:

Stephen Johnston (writer)
Chuck Parello (writer)

Release Date:

12 November 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Based On A True Story

Plot:

In the end of the 70's, the dysfunctional Kenneth Bianchi lives with his mother and is obsessed to join the police force...

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | Cousin Cousin Relationship | Serial Killer | Nudity | Murderer Duo

Cast

C. Thomas Howell	...	Kenneth A. Bianchi
Nicholas Turturro	...	Angelo Buono
Allison Lange	...	Claire Shelton
Marisol Padilla Sánchez	...	Christina Chavez
Jennifer Tisdale	...	Erin (as Jennifer Kelly Tisdale)
Kent King	...	Gabrielle (as Kent Masters-King)
Aimee Brooks	...	Felicia Waller
Natasha Melnick	...	Karyn
Damon Whitaker
Brandin Rackley	...	Janice Cooley
Jessica Allegra	...	April
Roz Witt	...	Frances Bianchi
Lin Shaye	...	Jenny Buono
Tricia Dickson	...	Heather Brewer
Kylie Rachel	...	Peaches (as Kylie Rachellle)
Charles Andre Allen	...	Herb
Molly Brenner	...	Matilda Ploskonka
Zarah Little	...	Carrie Ploskonka
Kevin Mukherji	...	Raj Patel
Dianah Avery	...	Kate Sugar (as Dyanna Podilla)
Cletus Young	...	Charlie Lloyd
Robbie Peron	...	Jason Branes
Tom Jermaine	...	Brandon Calhoun
Kiva Hargrove	...	Kathy Ricci
Geneviere Anderson	...	Tina Mayfield
Bill Pirman	...	Gary Danesi
Aaron Behr	...	Dan Forney
Alexander Folk	...	Officer Alan Romer
Ken Rosier	...	Kenyon Duncan
Danney Rey	...	Officer Carlos Arenus
Julia Lee	...	Lisa Erwin
Kelly Lohman	...	Sue Radigan
Gregg Gibbs	...	Officer Mike McHale
Laura Mulrenan	...	Detective Delia Cervanka
Andre Hotchko	...	Reporter
Harold Cutler	...	Guard
Sarah Ann Morris	...	Sharon Oates
Anthony Cuesta	...	Voice over artist (voice)

Directed by
Chuck Parello

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Stephen Johnston		writer
Chuck Parello		writer

Produced by
Michael Avery	....	executive producer
Matt Compton	....	line producer
Laura De Casto	....	co-executive producer
Jason Farmer	....	associate producer
Alexa Jago	....	executive producer
Hamish McAlpine	....	producer
Michael Muscal	....	producer
Carol Siller	....	executive producer
John Stienfield	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Danny Saber

Cinematography by
John Pirozzi

Film Editing by
Paul Heiman

Casting by
Johanna Ray

Production Design by
Gregg Gibbs

Set Decoration by
Jennifer Joos

Costume Design by
Niklas J. Palm

Makeup Department
Ken Culver	....	senior foam technician
Tammy Griggs	....	key hair stylist
Lorraine Martin	....	makeup artist
Patricia Urias	....	makeup artist
Tracy Wilcox	....	key makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Louis Hagney	....	second assistant director (as Louis W. Hagney)
José Clemente Hernandez	....	first assistant director
Joe McDougall	....	assistant director

Art Department
Ellis J. Barbacoff	....	assistant property master
Tony Bonaventura	....	property master
Margaux Frankel	....	art production assistant
Chris Grest	....	art swing
Melanie R. Shannon	....	art department coordinator
Gaston Wurth	....	art department transportation

Sound Department
Denise Brady	....	sound editor
John Brasher	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jason Brennan	....	sound effects mixer
Jason Brennan	....	sound re-recording mixer
Alicia Francis	....	boom operator
Lawrence Fried	....	sound mixer
Peggy McAffee	....	supervising sound editor
Douglas Reid	....	foley artist
Jeff Routledge	....	sound editor
Brian Runnels	....	assistant sound engineer
Thomas J. Smyth	....	sound editor
Thomas J. Smyth	....	sound effects editor

Visual Effects by
Jacob Hatley	....	visual effects compositor
Eric Myerson	....	visual effects supervisor

Stunts
Geneviere Anderson	....	stunts
Sonia Izzolena	....	stunt performer (as Sonia Jo McDancer)

Camera and Electrical Department
Dana Lee Anderson	....	gaffer: second unit
Sean Callahan	....	electrician
Henry Coccetti Jr.	....	gaffer (as Henry Coccetti)
Jason Cochard	....	electrician
Neal Fredericks	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Koji Kojima	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Yen P. Nguyen	....	second assistant camera
Aaron Schuh	....	second assistant camera
Paige Thomas	....	still photographer
Alpheus Underhill	....	electrician
Lisa Villaire	....	camera loader

Casting Department
Chad Darnell	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alyson MacInnis	....	key costumer
Stacy Stagnaro	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Eric Myerson	....	assistant editor
Royce Smith	....	color timer

Music Department
Brad Colerick	....	music supervisor
Dave Curtin	....	music supervisor
Tom O'Brien	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Neil Chisholm	....	driver

Other crew
Barry L. Caldwell	....	script supervisor
Melissa Jones	....	production assistant
Denisse Kindl	....	production assistant
Martin Desmond Roe	....	archival footage coordinator
Sharon Smith	....	production assistant
Adam Wallingford	....	location manager
Cynthia Whorton	....	production coordinator

Distributors

• Tartan (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• Force Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2007) (Finland) (TV)
• Palisades Tartan (2004) (USA) (all media)
• Scanbox Entertainment (2005) (Finland) (DVD)
• Scanbox Entertainment (2005) (Finland) (video)
• TLA Releasing (2004-????) (USA) (DVD)
• Tartan Video USA

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Hollywood Caterers  catering
• Keslow Cameras  camera equipment provided by
• Media Distributors Film Source  motion picture film supplied by

MPAA:

Rated R for psychopathic violence, strong sexuality, nudity, pervasive language, sexual dialogue and drug use.

Runtime:

USA:97 min | USA:98 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:MA (TV rating) | Finland:K-15 (DVD) (2005) | Finland:K-18 (TV rating) (2007) (self applied) | USA:R | UK:18 | Australia:R | Norway:18

Movie Connections:

References Deep Throat (1972)

A darkly entertaining movie

"The Hillside Strangler" is a seedy, hard-hitting and unflinching serial killer movie, based on true events that occurred in '70s Los Angeles.

C. Thomas Howell plays a role very distant from Jim Halsey in "The Hitcher". His portrayal of true-life serial killer Kenneth Bianchi is very convincing, to say the least. I was genuinely taken aback by his gaunt appearance in this film - he isn't instantly recognisable.

Nicholas Turturro is splendid as the psychotic, cruel other half of the serial killer duo, Angelo Buono.

The Tartan-funded film contains some hard-hitting sequences but despite these it remains an entertaining experience. You won't feel like you need a shower after watching this movie but you may feel a little guilty for viewing some of its seedier content. Definitely recommended for fans of true-life crime.