Video Nasty: Nightmare (1981)

Much controversy surrounds this title as it's Italian director Romano Scavolini, and fx maestro Tom Savini still argue if Tom did the fx, or not. A video distributor was jailed for refusing to cut this film when it dropped on video in the UK during the 80's nasty hysteria. Promo stunts for the VHS release included barf bags, and a guess the weight of the brain in the jar contest. It's UK title is a perfect description of the cencorship fanat's back then: Nightmares In A Damaged Brain! Will I have that too after watching it? Let's find out.

Plot:
How would you feel if you woke up after a nightmare to find a woman's head chopped off, in your bed ? Well, that's exactly how Nightmare starts, with a bang.

Off to the asylum we go where the same guy who had the nightmares is committed. Who wouldn't be after what was in his bed? Enough to make a grown man scream, and lose his mind like this:

But, is he really at the nuthouse, or is he still having a nightmare?

Next, a kid sees something he really shouldn't have.

His mom does a little S&M with some tied up dude in her bed, ending up with the kid brutally killing mom, and lover, but is it live or is it memorex? Real, or still a nightmare?

What's Good:
Whether Tom Savini made them or not the gory kills in this are among the most brutal, and bloody in movie history. Mix that with sleazeball sex, and here's another bon(e)afide video nasty for ya' where the killer even says he's sorry after having killed someone. A little late for that then, eh?  Sinister creepy atmosphere throughout, an overall psychotic feel with some sleaze, occasional gruesome murders, and a kick ass last fifteen minutes should keep you entertained, right?

What's Bad:
Well, not quite as much as it should have, as this drags in places. Although fun, some reminds a lot of Halloween, and there's a scene much like the "Heeeere's Johnny" in The Shining.

So must've ripped it off as this one came out the year after, but if only Laurie, and Wendy had been as well prepared as this kid:

Or better yet, this kid:

The Verdict:
The violence is worthy of a video nasty, and another Savini gorefest. There's a true message behind Nightmare, that if kids have to go through heavy traumatic experiences in childhood they might grow up to become psycho killers.

It's got plenty creepy moments, and a nice soundtrack, from  the quirky easy listening to shocking noisy stabs, etc. Too slow moving some of the time but an interesting, entertaining bloodbath most of the time where children murder with guns, and axe, and heads literally flies, so Savini needs not be embarrassed about having done fx here, if he did, cause he did a bloody brilliant job, unless it's that he's not proud of it cause even he thinks it went a bit too far, which it does, but hey, it's a video nasty, and if evil kids scare you, you'll have a fit, and won't forget this one, ever.

Scavolini's droppin' a sequel titled Nightmare: The Wandering Soul in 2018, and like the axe swingin' kid in the OG Nightmare, I bet you didn't see that one coming! As for Nightmares In A Damaged Brain, I'm shook but still good mentally after viewing it...I...think! So, it's a solid:

Rating:
4/6