Do you like to watch scary movies? Are you always on the lookout for the next great slasher film to watch? If so, you should definitely check out “The Burning.” Despite the fact that it was released in 1981, this horror film directed by Tony Maylam has largely gone unnoticed for a long time.
Although many horror lovers have never heard of it, believe me when I tell that it is a film that should be viewed. “The Burning” is an unique gem in the world of horror films that has been buried for far too long. It has an engaging plot, an excellent cast, and cutting-edge special effects. But don’t just take my word for it; keep reading to find out why “The Burning” is a must-see for any horror enthusiast.
“The Burning,” directed by Tony Maylam in 1981, is a horror film. The film tells the story of Cropsy, a summer camp caregiver who suffers horrible burns when a prank goes badly wrong. The film was not a huge commercial success, and it has since become a cult classic in the horror category.
“The Burning” is noteworthy for several reasons. For one thing, it featured an early appearance by Jason Alexander, who went on to play George Costanza on “Seinfeld.” Furthermore, Tom Savini, widely regarded as one of the finest special effects artists in horror cinema history, developed the film’s special effects, which included some genuinely horrible burn makeup.
The Plot of The Burning
Cropsy, a caregiver at a summer camp, is severely burned as a result of a cruel trick played on him in “The Burning.” Cropsy eventually returns to the summer camp where he was hurt, hoping to seek revenge on the counselors who were responsible. A group of counselors at a summer camp play a practical joke on Cropsy at the start of the film.
Cropsy is left with a profound animosity for the counselors who performed the prank on him after being released from the hospital. Years later, he returns to the camp in search of vengeance. Cropsy’s return is unknown to the camp counselors, who continue with their summer routines, enjoying the pleasant weather and each other’s company.
However, as the counselors begin to die, it is evident that someone is out for blood. The counselors quickly discover that Cropsy has returned and is out for vengeance. The remaining counselors get together in an attempt to stop Cropsy before he murders everyone.
The film is remarkable for subverting traditional slasher film conventions. Unlike many other films of the genre, the victims in “The Burning” are a group of charming, well-rounded counselors rather than promiscuous youths or lustful college people. And, while the killer, Cropsy, is a fearsome and menacing presence, the film also offers him a sympathetic past, making it tough to completely oppose him.
As the strain mounts and the dead count increases, the counselors turn on each other, wondering who to believe. Cropsy, meanwhile, continues his murderous rampage, leaving a trail of death and damage in his wake. The film reaches a peak when the remaining counselors are forced to confront Cropsy in a final fight that will decide who survives the summer.
How did it do in the box office?
“The Burning” was released in 1981 and was not a big box office success at the time. Despite earning favorable reviews from critics, the picture had difficulty finding an audience. However, it has since garnered a cult following and has become a slasher genre mainstay.
The film was made on a $1.5 million budget and grossed roughly $2.1 million in the United States. The picture was released during a busy summer season, with many other big-budget films competing for spectators’ attention, making it difficult for “The Burning” to stand out.
Despite its lack of economic success, the picture has since garnered a cult following and has become a standard of the slasher genre. It was also seen as a stepping stone for the careers of many of its cast and crew members, including Jason Alexander, Holly Hunter, and Tom Savini.
“The Burning” has a devoted following and is regarded as a significant and influential picture in the slasher genre, despite the fact that it may not have been a major monetary success upon its initial release.
Cinematography a touch of perfection
The cinematography in “The Burning” is distinctive and excellent, which enhances the overall fright factor of the picture. Harvey Harrison, the film’s cinematographer, took the pictures. The use of handheld cameras by Harrison lends the movie a gritty, realistic tone that allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in the summer camp scenario.
The picture has a realistic and immediate feel that heightens the fear thanks to the utilization of natural lighting and handheld camera work. A lot of the movie’s scenes were also taken at night or in the dark, which heightens the suspense and dread. Cropsy, the killer in the movie, seems more dangerous and scary when shadows and darkness are used.
Harrison also employs a lot of close-ups, which helps the audience feel close to and identify with the characters. During the most scary and tense parts of the movie, the close-ups put the viewer right in the middle of the action.
The summer camp setting’s lush greens contrast wonderfully with the climax’s flaming oranges and reds in the movie, which also makes excellent use of color. In its gory death sequences, it also uses slow motion, which heightens the impact and terror of the scene.
The cinematography in “The Burning” is distinctive and excellent, which enhances the overall fright factor of the picture. Harrison’s use of handheld cameras, natural lighting, close-ups, color, and slow motion all work together to give the story and the summer camp setting a sense of reality, immediacy, and discomfort that draws viewers in.
Thoughts on The Burning
“The Burning” is a masterpiece of the horror genre that ought to have garnered greater attention when it was first published. The movie is a great representation of the slasher genre since it has an engaging storyline, fascinating characters, and a terrifying antagonist in the form of Cropsy.
Other slasher movies typically take place at high schools or universities, but the setting of this one, which is a summer camp, is a welcome departure from that norm. (Yes I’ve considered Friday the 13th and Sleepaway camp as great camp movies.)
The cinematography of the movie is particularly worth mentioning since it creates a sense of realism and immediacy that draws the spectator into the plot through the use of handheld cameras, natural lighting, and close-ups. The use of nighttime and shadowy areas contributes further to the impression of danger and mystique that surrounds Cropsy.
Despite the fact that “The Burning” was not a monetary success upon its initial release, the picture has since established itself as a cult classic and is regarded as a significant and influential piece of work within the slasher genre.
Fans of the horror genre as well as those who are interested in unearthing a buried gem from the 1980s should definitely give it a shot. The film is also an excellent homage to the horror subgenre of summer camp movies, and it is the ideal movie to see on a warm summer evening with a group of close friends.
