Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

The Prowler(1980) was one of the first of the new wave of Slasher films that were unleashed in the early 80s after John Carpenter's Halloween(1978) opened the floodgates.

It's a mediocre affair,that features several well executed memorable death scenes(courtesy of make up legend,Tom Savini),but is hollow at the center.

The main idea is kind of fun:A World War 2 hero returns home and goes beserk after his woman leaves him.

Unfortunately the film fails to build characters or any suspense,so it quickily turns to tedium.

Characters are introduced here and there with almost no build up or explanation,and several scenes just drag on with NOTHING happen.

Lawrence Tierney is billed prominently,but has only a minute(!) of screen time,and does nothing in the picture but simply.....vanish!

The death scenes are famous,particularly the classic "pitchfork in the shower" sequence,which has to be one of the most uncomfortable death scenes ever filmed.
There's also some nasty business with a sawn off shotgun.

Gore hounds will certainly enjoy parts of this film,for good reason.
Others will find it boring and irritaing(the unmasking of the "prowler" is surprising but because of no build up just dosen't come off).
And question....what sort of ending was THAT?

Mediocre horror film for slasher fans and completists.

On the case it says this movie has "one of the biggest body counts on the 80s".not true.only like six people die but their deaths are greusome thanks to sfx by tom savini.the story is acually good and easy to follow and i can see why this called a gem of a slasher movie.once you start watching it has you right until the ending,which in itself is very graphic.i bought this dvd and it will get seen a few times and any slasher or horror fan should add this to their collection,its more then worth it.