Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield (2007)
Review by the Fiend of Grue
Inspired by the true story of the most gruesome serial killer in American history. The gruesome murders that shocked the world. The grisly remains told a terrifying story of pain, brutality and torture. Now, years after inspiring Psycho’s Norman Bates, The Silence Of The Lambs’ Buffalo Bill and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Leatherface, the story of real life serial killer Ed Gein is finally told. Nicknamed “The Butcher Of Plainfield,” Gein was responsible for a rash of gory murders that sent shock waves through his rural Wisconsin town, and across America, in the late 1950’s. Prepare to enter the evil mind and twisted world of “The Butcher Of Plainfield” in this dark and disturbing thriller.
It’s a good thing the makers of this film cleared up the point that this movie was “inspired by the true story” right off the bat on the back cover. Ed Gein: The Butcher Of Plainfield was an entertaining movie, but far from historically accurate. It seems as though this movie was made to try and make Ed Gein the next big franchise serial killer for the big screen, like the very films the real man influenced. Gein has a basement full of torturing implements, racks up kills like a slasher pic and the whole film has lighting like the Saw films or the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake.
Ed Gein was a small man in stature and very quiet, soft spoken and UNintimidating who was looked at strange, but harmless. In this movie Ed is played by none other than Kane Hodder; the most popular person to ever play Jason Voorhees in the Friday The 13th series. Now if you don’t know who Kane Hodder is, well he’s a monster and the last person you would expect to be playing the unassuming Gein. Director Michael Feifer has made Ed Gein, in this movie, as a lumbering madman who intimidates people and has no problem with bashing in a skull or crushing a larynx or two. Although an odd choice for the character of Gein, Hodder does play his part well. It’s nice to see the big guy get a role without a face full of prosthetic appliances. Hodder DOES have acting skills and it would be great to see him get more acting roles from this film. He has always respected the horror genre and went out of his way to be a part of it where most people seem to be ashamed of it….that is commendable in itself.
Michael Berryman ( the original Hills Have Eyes and The Devil’s Rejects) also shows up in a short cameo as Gein’s helper on his grave robbing ventures. Another Devil’s Rejects alumni, Priscilla Barnes plays in the movie as the daughter of the cop who is on the hunt for Gein. She plays her part very well, as usual.
If you are looking for a more accurate depiction of the story of Ed Gein, I’d say pick up the 2000 release called just Ed Gein. That movie for the most part was right on the real story and Steve Railsback plays a hauntingly real Ed Gein. But if your looking for a fun, semi accurate, bloody, modern day slasher with KANE HODDER as the STAR!!! then check out this movie.
Popularity: 8% [?]
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