Edge of the Axe

source: Edge of the Axe

Trailer—Al filo del hacha

Al filo del hacha

I had never heard of this before, probably because it was a Spanish production and may not have had a broad release... It borrows so much from other films but still remains enjoyable. At times its seems laughable but at others the action is gruesome and engrossing. There are characters you love to hate, campy dialog, deplorable acting and funny voice overs, but some quality effects, good sound design and locations...its like an 80s time capsule that's so bad its good. The pacing and cinematography was far better than most. Great if not cringe-worthy midnight movie and overall worth seeking out for any fan of the genre.

A masked serial-killer spends his time offing the locals of a small tight knit Californian town. Red herrings, nerd-loving girls, severed pig heads, and a duo of sexist neadrethals about. What does not abound though, is anything resembling entertainment value. This was one of the more forgettable slasher films from the late 1980's, having nothing special to distinguish it from any myriad of similar sub-par slashers. Not worth your time or money. Oh and another things, it's a complete boob free slashing movie, whats the point in that?? Something like that is all too commonplace for films of this ilk nowadays, but this was the 80's.... Unacceptable.

A few scary, brutal murder sequences, surrounded by a lot of triviality and talking. The pacing is stagnant (there are many scenes that could have been trimmed) and the story is absurd (a girl falls off a swing, hits her head, develops amnesia and then becomes a homicidal psychopath out to get the nurses who treated her!!!). Footnote: I don't think I've ever seen the police being more stupid and inactive than they are in this movie. (*1/2)

That was the question I was faced with. The answer? A little of both. I guess my comments will be a mixture of both of those that I followed. This film is a good mixture of horror and mystery. I liked the pretty scenery and the identity of the killer was certainly a mystery. The identity of the killer is not who you think! Jack Taylor (Pieces '81) was good as always. He always seems to play a mysterious weirdo, is that a hint towards his private life? Maybe! The problem with this film is it is strictly formula. It has been done a million times before and will be done a million times again! While this is an interesting twist on my favorite genre, it is also a cliche. Some slashers, though, could learn from this one. Not bad! ***out of****Good acting, directing;writing is formula.

I've heard a lot about Edge of the Axe and was excited to check it out. That being said, it was okay, but to me wasn't as interesting as many other eighties horror films. It's not your usual run-of-the mill slasher though, but more of a mystery. It's about a young man who loves computers and begins to store as much information as he can about a slew of recent murders in his town. He meets a girl and gives her a computer so they can communicate. What I was impressed with was the ending. It is a truly great ending but most of the film up until that point is a little slow and sometimes interesting sometimes boring. I think it is worth a watch for diehard mystery and horror fans. Edge of the Axe does stand out from other genre movies of its time and is quite clever.

I remember seeing "Edge of an Axe" many years ago on German satellite television.It's the highest time to watch it again.Jose Rammon Larraz has made a steady output of horror films including "Vampyres"(1974),"Symptoms"(1974),"Stigma"(1979),"The National Mummy"(1980),"Rest in Pieces"(1987)and "Deadly Manor"(1990).A series of brutal axe murders is plaguing small town in Northern California.The killer wears white Michael Myers inspired mask and rain slicker and the police is unable to trace the suspect.The pace is fast and the direction is solid,but there is not enough strong gore for my liking."Pieces" by Juan Piquer Simon is much bloodier and more brutal than "Edge of an Axe".Still if you like low-budget slasher movies give this one a chance.7 axes out of 10.

Computer geek Gerald Martin (Barton Faulks) moves to a rural California town and quickly falls for Lillian Nebbs (Christina Marie Lane). So much so that he gives a computer on their second date. But the little town of Paddock is on edge because some guy in a white mask is running around killing women with an axe. Is it this new guy in town? Or does someone else...wait for it...have an axe to grind? Middle entry of three unrelated slasher films that Spanish director Jose Larraz (VAMPYRES) made in the late 80s. This might be the best of the lot (other two being REST IN PIECES and DEADLY MANOR aka SAVAGE LUST) as Larraz gives us some well shot and gory axe murders. Also noteworthy for its depiction of 80s computers. Did anyone very portray computers accurately during that decade? There are so many red herrings that you might actually be surprised to find out who the killer is. I know I was. Spanish horror vet Jack Taylor has a few scenes as a choral leader.