Deranged (1974 film)
| Deranged | |
|---|---|
 US theatrical poster | |
| Directed by |
Jeff Gillen Alan Ormsby |
| Produced by | Tom Karr |
| Written by | Alan Ormsby |
| Starring |
Roberts Blossom Cosette Lee Leslie Carlson Robert Warner |
| Music by | Carl Zittrer |
| Cinematography | Jack McGowan |
| Distributed by | American International Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 82 minutes |
| Country |
Canada United States |
| Language | English |
Deranged is a Canadian-American horror film made in 1974 and directed by Alan Ormsby and Jeff Gillen. It is also known by the title Deranged: The Confessions of a Necrophile in the USA. It is a low-budget movie that has since become something of a cult film and is based on the life of Ed Gein. The title is, however, misleading since Ed Gein never experimented with necrophilia; although a necrophile is also defined as "an obsessive fascination with death and corpses."
The movie disappeared after its release in 1974 and was later rediscovered in Florida in the mid 1990s.
Plot
Ezra Cobb lives with his mother in an unidentified region of the Midwest. His mother, a religious fanatic, has indoctrinated him since childhood to hate women. Upon her death, Ezra digs her up again, believing that she is still alive.
Ever more deluded each passing day, Ezra digs up various bodies, restoring them from their decomposition and even using them as home decor. Soon, Ezra's obsessions go beyond the dead themselves, and he becomes a serial killer. Luring women into his grasp, he soon finds various other "creative" ways in which to decorate his home.
Cast
- Roberts Blossom as Ezra Cobb (Blossom's only leading role)
- Cosette Lee as Amanda Cobb
- Leslie Carlson as Tom Simms
- Robert Warner as Harlon Kootz
- Marcia Diamond as Jenny Kootz
- Brian Smeagle as Brad Kootz
- Arlene Gillen as Miss Johnson
- Robert McHeady as Sheriff
- Marian Waldman as Maureen Selby
- Jack Mather as Drunk
- Micki Moore as Mary Ransum
- Pat Orr as Sally Mae
Filming locations
- Elizabethville, Ontario (Cobb farm)
- Enniskillen, Ontario (the general store)
- Canukr Studios, Mitchell's Corners, Ontario (interior sets)
- Courtice, Ontario (winter chase scenes)
- Genosha Hotel, Oshawa, Ontario (interior tavern scene)
- Whitby, Ontario (exterior tavern scene)
- 3926 Concession Rd. 6, Orono, Ontario (The Kootz farm)
Reception
Deranged received mixed reviews from critics. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 40%, based on 5 reviews, with a rating average of 6.3/10.[1] Allmovie gave the film a positive review, writing, "Deranged is interesting because it as witty as it is scary. The film suffers from rough edges, the main problems being inconsistent pacing and a stilted framing device involving an investigative reporter, but remains compelling because it adds some perceptive social satire into the mix."[2]
Home media
In 2002, MGM released Deranged as part of its "Midnite Movies" collection of double feature DVDs. It was released along with the 1980 feature film Motel Hell.[3] A second release of the film was also made available in the United States on DVD from Desert Island Classics on March 5, 2014.[4]
In 2007, Germany released a 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition. The U.S. DVD received a cut R rating, the German version is unrated and uncut, with a brain scooping scene which is cut from the U.S. version, it is also in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, with both an English and German (dubbed) audio track and optional English and German subtitles. The Extras include: Deranged Chronicles - The Making of Deranged, The Ed Gein Story - Documentary, Ed Gein: American Maniac - Documentary, The Making of: Tim Ritter's Creep (an unofficial sequel to Deranged), Original Trailer, Unrated Version Trailer, Teaser Trailer and a 24-page booklet.[5]
Deranged was released on Blu-ray format in the United Kingdom via Arrow Films on August 19, 2013, which contains both a Blu-ray and DVD of the film.[6] The film is set to be released on Blu-ray in the United States on July 7, 2015 by Kino Lorber distribution.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ "Deranged (1974) - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- ↑ Guarisco, Donald. "Deranged (1974) - Jeff Gillen,Alan Ormsby". Allmovie.com. Donald Guarisco. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
- ↑ "Deranged / Motel Hell DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Deranged". Amazon.com. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Deranged DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Deranged". Arrow Films. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Deranged Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved April 30, 2015.