PIECES

PIECES

"Violence, blood and gore don't shock me ... you see more of it on any daily newscast than in most films." Those are the words of Spanish director Juan Piquer Simón, who sadly passed away in January this year aged 75. His films meandered through, science fiction, exploitation and horror territory, but surely the acme of his unique career was 1983’s blood drenched romp PIECES! As Arrow Films gear up for another quality release, Mr Simon’s aforesaid quote unfortunately has more than a hint of irony about it.

Following Jack Taylor’s personal introduction, the opening frames are indicative of the movies era: there were no camera phones for the youth of the day to download porn, so a jigsaw featuring a nude female was a good a way as any to get ones pubescent kicks. It was, however also enough to face the wrath of a prudent parent. The young lad is rather harshly scolded by his mum and jigsaw confiscated. As she rummages around his bedroom, seeking more ‘filth’ to dispose of, the lad returns with an axe which he duly despatches into the cranium of his forbidding mother.

When the police discover her chopped up body parts, the infantile slayer is hiding in the closet. His delirious tear soaked routine is enough to fool the police into believing he had hidden from the ‘maniac’ as his mother was hacked into pieces….

40 years later, and the narrative switches to a University campus in Boston. A death and beheading chainsaw style brings Lieutenant Bruckon into the fray. Played by exploitation veteran Christopher George, the cigar smoking lieutenant assembles his team to try and get that all important lead. Time is running out as bodies are steadily dismantled. The grisly murders have one common theme running through them –the deranged killer appears to be collecting various body parts as trophies. What could the reason for amassing such a hideous assortment…?

While the movie lacks the sophistication and class of vintage Giallo movies, it undoubtedly embraces the spirit and pays homage to the Italian murder mystery genre. It’s a chainsaw whodunit if you will complete with all the trimmings! Black leather gloves are the only clue we have to the slayer’s identity as he stabs and gouges his way through the unfortunate female campus population. Keeping in line with its Giallo leanings, the movie was also known as the rather pretentious "1 Thousand cries has the night". But I can’t help but feel as rudimentary as it is, PIECES suits this movie a lot better!

Upon its original release, the movie boasted the tagline "You don’t Have to Go to Texas for a Chainsaw Massacre!" which is certainly true of this Boston based gore treat. There are enough crimson soaked sequences and decent effects to satiate the interminable thirst of gore hounds nationwide, even if the blood does seem a little TOO bright at times! I dare any fan of all things ‘video nasty’ fail to appreciate the ridiculous charm in this bloodthirsty tale, and it’s this point that leads me onto one of the most entertaining aspects of the movie – the dialogue!

The award for craziest quote of the film HAS to go to the Chinese Kung Fu instructor who launches and unprovoked attack on Linda (Linda Day George, more on her in a minute!). His high kicks and punches, accompanied with the customary high pitched martial art yelps and screams, pound poor Linda to the floor. The only explanation he can offer when questioned about his wanton assault is "I guess I must have had some bad Chop Suey…" With that, he bounds off into the night. It is a moment worth the RRP in itself!

Then there is the undercover cop posing as Tennis coach Linda played by Christopher George’s real wife of the day, Linda Day George. I wasn’t aware these two made a fair few films together, an exploitation movie Hart to Hart team if you will! Well it is the striking Linda who, after having her music too loud and failing to hear the murder in the next room, expresses her dismay by shrieking "BASTARD…. BAASTAARRD… BAAAAASTAAAAARRRRD!" It’s stirring stuff!!!

PEICES comes highly recommended especially with its crazy shock-o-rama conclusion to the aforementioned mayhem. Arrow Films are firmly establishing themselves as the purveyors of definitive DVD editions to some vintage gore drenched classics. Not content with simply supplying a plethora of extras, their range of discs is also beautifully packaged. Whether it is a choice of cover art, posters or postcards, the idea of illegally downloading any of their releases is a sacrilegious thought. With this in mind, I was deeply saddened (and angered) to hear that their offices on London were affected by the mindless looting by those £100-a-pair sneakers wearing, Blackberry carrying, yet perversely claiming to be poverty stricken(!!) morons in the UK’s capital. As such, a lot of Arrow stock was completely destroyed.

But, in the face of such adversity, in true British spirit, it’s business as usual for Arrow Films. If ever a company, who had UK Horror fans best interests at heart, needed our support and patience, it is the guys and gals at Arrow.

Review by Marc Lissenburg


 
Released by Arrow Video
Region 2 - PAL
Rated 18
Extras :
see main review
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