As a Hammer film, Maniac comes as something of a surprise. One normally associates the brand with studio-based horror films of average to low quality, typical Brit-flick production values and a home-grown cast of stolid, reliable faces. If that's what you've come to expect from Hammer, Maniac will either disappoint or delight.
Shot extensively on location in the Camargue, in high contrast black and white 2.35:1 widescreen, the movie makes effective use of some startlingly dramatic scenery that's exploited to the full by a clearly above average director of photography. The film noir mood and atmosphere are reminiscent of 1962's Cape Fear, and whilst Maniac fails to match that film's pitch of sustained suspense and repressed anger, it's a creditable attempt by Hammer to do something a bit darker and more mature than usual.
The acting is efficient, if somewhat underplayed, and it's a surprise to see an actor of the calibre of Donald Houston being dubbed (it sounds like Roger Delgado – any offers?) Thriller fans will be disappointed at the lack of any truly scary moments, and the plot has a few more twists than are absolutely necessary; but if you appreciate good black and white photography and films that don't slavishly tick all the predictable boxes, Maniac has much to recommend it. A good restoration would certainly find an audience on DVD.
Shot extensively on location in the Camargue, in high contrast black and white 2.35:1 widescreen, the movie makes effective use of some startlingly dramatic scenery that's exploited to the full by a clearly above average director of photography. The film noir mood and atmosphere are reminiscent of 1962's Cape Fear, and whilst Maniac fails to match that film's pitch of sustained suspense and repressed anger, it's a creditable attempt by Hammer to do something a bit darker and more mature than usual.
The acting is efficient, if somewhat underplayed, and it's a surprise to see an actor of the calibre of Donald Houston being dubbed (it sounds like Roger Delgado – any offers?) Thriller fans will be disappointed at the lack of any truly scary moments, and the plot has a few more twists than are absolutely necessary; but if you appreciate good black and white photography and films that don't slavishly tick all the predictable boxes, Maniac has much to recommend it. A good restoration would certainly find an audience on DVD.