Maniac Cop [Special Edition]

Director: William Lustig William Lustig

Overview

In this gripping thriller, a renegade New York cop becomes a terrifying vigilante/killer.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/14/2006
UPC:	0654930305997
Original Release:	1988
Rating:	R
Source:	Synapse Films
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:27:00
Sales rank:	20,976

Special Features

New anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) transfer mastered in high-definition from original vault materials; Audio commentary from star Bruce Campbell, writer/producer Larry Cohen, director William Lustig and composer Jay Chattaway; New DTS 6.1 audio track re-mixed for this home video release; New Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack for this home video release; Original 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround soundtrack; Theatrical trailer and television spots; Additional scenes filmed for Japanese television broadcast; All-new featurette with star Robert Z'Dar and more!

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Tom Atkins	McCrae
Bruce Campbell	Forrest
Laurene Landon	Theresa
William Smith	Ripley
Richard Roundtree	Pike
Sheree North	Sally
Robert Z'Dar	Matt Cordell
Nick Barbaro	Councilman
Lou Bonacki	Detective Lovejoy
Barry Brenner	Coroner
Victoria Catlin	Ellen Forrest
Jill Gatsby	Cassie Phillips
Rocky Giordani	Fowler
John Goff	Jack's Lawyer
Jon Greene	Tactical Sergeant
Dan Hicks	Squad Leader
Erik Holland	Dr. Gruber
Marcia Karr	Nancy
Judy Kerr	Motel Maid
Judy Levitt	Woman in Car
William Lustig	Motel Manager
Vic Manni	Jail Guard
Tito Nunez	Chico
Louis Pastore	"John"
Frank Pesce	Watchman
Bernie Pock	Sam
Sam Raimi	Parade Reporter
Carla Reynolds	Police Officer
Tom Taylor	Man in Bar #2
Ingrid Van Dorn	Waitress
Luke Walter	Musician
Patrick Wright	Prison Guard
Lee Arnone	White Woman (TV sequence)
Nay Dorsey	Young Black Man (TV sequence)
George Flower	Old Man (TV sequence)
Alma Washington	Black Woman (TV sequence)
Jay Chattaway	Composer

Technical Credits

Larry Cohen

William Lustig	Director
Larry Cohen	Producer,Screenwriter,Screenwriter
James Glickenhaus	Executive Producer
Matt McColm	Stunts
Phil Culotta	Stunts
Gregory Barnett	Stunts
Freddie Hice	Stunts
Geno Havens	Casting
Donna Garrett	Stunts
Don Pulford	Stunts
Glory Fioramonti	Stunts
Kurt Bryant	Stunts
Andy Gill	Stunts
Bernie Pock	Stunts
Charlie Croughwell	Stunts
Ron Rondell	Stunts
Richard Butler	Stunts
Craig Felburg	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

With its out-there premise and huge dollops of over-the-top violence, Maniac Cop is an unapologetic exercise in pulpy exploitation filmmaking. That description may alienate viewers with more mainstream tastes, but those who are predisposed to such offbeat fare will discover that the film actually delivers on all the action and horror promised by the title and is surprisingly stylish to boot. Maniac Cop's key strength is Larry Cohen's script, which infuses the film's comic-book premise with plenty of his trademark eccentric characters and a few unexpected twists that will keep viewers on guard. Maniac Cop will also please B-movie fans, thanks to its cast of seasoned character thespians, including John Carpenter regular Tom Atkins as a grizzled detective and Evil Dead hero Bruce Campbell as the beleaguered cop who has to prove he isn't responsible for the title character's rampage. The supporting performances are just as engaging, especially biker film veteran William Smith as a creepy police official and Sheree North as the crippled police clerk with something to hide. Director William Lustig, a seasoned vet of both the action (Hit List) and horror (Maniac) genres, creates a nicely paced blend of story and action and crafts a number of impressive set pieces in the process. Highlights include a scene where Laurene Landon has to escape the title character while handcuffed to a dead man and the impressive car chase that caps the film. In the end, Maniac Cop is probably a little too pulpy and gleefully gruesome for the average viewer, but provides a colorful, action-packed treat for anyone in the mood for classic drive-in-styled entertainment.