Savini Slasher Special Effects

rhett · 07-19-2010, 05:04 AM

While Tom Savini might be most fondly remembered for his gore effects on Romero's films, particularly Dawn and Day of the Dead, he was also instrumental in shaping the tone and style of slasher films away from the suspense of Halloween to the realistic gore of Friday the 13th. He had a pretty wild run from 1980 through 1984, creating gore effects for seven pretty well remembered slashers from the era, including THE PROWLER, which comes out on Blu-ray later on this month. Which slasher film from that list bears his best work?

fattyjoe37 · 07-19-2010, 05:38 AM

I think The Prowler showcases his best work, slasher or not.

Erick H. · 07-19-2010, 06:09 AM

His stuff is great in all of them but I think his work on THE PROWLER is perhaps his best,even he seems to think so.Nice to see EYES OF A STRANGER mentioned though.Now that it's available uncut his strong work on that film can be more easily appreciated.Not to downplay his contribution to the film but Savini did very little work on ALONE IN THE DARK.He came in at the last minute to provide a zombie-like apparition for a hallucination sequence.

Franco · 07-19-2010, 06:11 AM

The Prowler definitely, those look so real... It totally impressed me knowing how old that movie is by now.

Eddyw78 · 07-19-2010, 01:06 PM

Savini's effects on the Prowler are definatly his most realistic but for full on Tom Savini gore Day of the Dead is hard to beat.

dickieduvet · 07-19-2010, 02:09 PM

I'll go with The Burning, Only seen The Prowler a couple of times though, Might change my mind when my Blu-Ray arrives

Kim Bruun · 07-19-2010, 02:37 PM

I actually don't care for Savini's blue-faced ghouls in Dawn of the Dead.

The Prowler has the most convincing gore out of all his slasher movies, I think. The two Fridays and The Burning are not far behind - not every effect is flawless, but they are generally very good.

One effect has always kinda stood out for me. When Kevin Bacon has an arrow jammed though his neck, his skin tents weirdly before it breaks and the arrow head emerges.

On the other hand, Savini himself is not entirely satisfied with his Cropsy makeup, saying that the scarring he designed did not accurately reflect the loss of tissue that a patient in Cropsey's situation would have suffered. I still like the makeup on Cropsey, though - it is grotesque and frightening.

j tea · 07-19-2010, 03:13 PM

the prowler for sure, it was a terrible movie but definitely believable.

MorallySound · 07-19-2010, 04:44 PM

Maniac.

Egg_Shen · 07-19-2010, 05:39 PM

I have to say the Prowler as well. I think Friday 4 is the best film on the list and perhaps presents it's effects the best. However, Savini goes the extra mile on the prowler.

Spoiler:

I'm thinking of the pool kill with the blood bubbles, the screeching pitch fork on the shower wall and the poor guy who gets stabbed in the head causing his eyes to roll back.

How are you gonna top that?

Body Boy · 07-19-2010, 06:06 PM

I think Friday the 13th is the best movie here, but as for effects, The Prowler takes it. The shower and pool kills are excellent!

Chunkblower · 07-19-2010, 08:05 PM

I've always felt that Savini's effects were a bit overrated, but I have to admit that his work in The Prowler was impressive.

bigdaddyhorse · 07-19-2010, 08:12 PM

I hate to agree with everyone, but have to on The Prowler having the best effects. Factor in when the movie was made and what they had to work with and it only gets more impressive.

Maniac is runner up for effects, and Friday 4 would win favorite film from the list.

Body Boy · 07-19-2010, 08:56 PM

For me personally, it goes:

EFFECTS -
1. The Prowler
2. Maniac
3. The Final Chapter
4. Friday the 13th
5. The Burning
6. Eyes of a Stranger
7. Alone in the Dark

BEST FILM -
1. Friday the 13th
2. The Burning
3. Maniac
4. The Final Chapter
5. The Prowler
6. Eyes of a Stranger
7. Alone in the Dark

satans-sadists · 07-19-2010, 10:39 PM

I think Savini's best effects work is in Day of the Dead, but since we're discussing slasher films, my vote is for The Prowler.

View Poll Results: Which slasher has Tom Savini's best effects work?
Friday the 13th	4	3.67%
Maniac	20	18.35%
Eyes of a Stranger	1	0.92%
The Burning	13	11.93%
The Prowler	49	44.95%
Alone in the Dark	1	0.92%
Friday the 13th - The Final Chapter	21	19.27%
Voters: 109. You may not vote on this poll

07-19-2010, 05:04 AM	#1
rhett Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 8,216	Savini Slasher Special Effects While Tom Savini might be most fondly remembered for his gore effects on Romero's films, particularly Dawn and Day of the Dead, he was also instrumental in shaping the tone and style of slasher films away from the suspense of Halloween to the realistic gore of Friday the 13th. He had a pretty wild run from 1980 through 1984, creating gore effects for seven pretty well remembered slashers from the era, including THE PROWLER, which comes out on Blu-ray later on this month. Which slasher film from that list bears his best work? __________________ "The Night HE Came Home"

07-19-2010, 05:38 AM	#2
fattyjoe37 HackMaster Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WA Posts: 1,056	I think The Prowler showcases his best work, slasher or not. __________________ My DVD Collection

07-19-2010, 06:11 AM	#4
Franco Weekender Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Peru Posts: 1,880	The Prowler definitely, those look so real... It totally impressed me knowing how old that movie is by now. __________________ When the rape is imminent, it's better to relax in order for the creep not to enjoy it.

07-19-2010, 04:44 PM	#9
MorallySound There is no magic. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 4,590	Maniac. __________________ "Things only seem to be magic. There is no real magic. There's no real magic ever." - Martin Bad Monster Films \| Oh, the Horror! \| My DVD Collection

07-19-2010, 06:09 AM	#3
Erick H. HackMaster Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5,485	His stuff is great in all of them but I think his work on THE PROWLER is perhaps his best,even he seems to think so.Nice to see EYES OF A STRANGER mentioned though.Now that it's available uncut his strong work on that film can be more easily appreciated.Not to downplay his contribution to the film but Savini did very little work on ALONE IN THE DARK.He came in at the last minute to provide a zombie-like apparition for a hallucination sequence.

07-19-2010, 01:06 PM	#5
Eddyw78 Screamy Bopper Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 38	Savini's effects on the Prowler are definatly his most realistic but for full on Tom Savini gore Day of the Dead is hard to beat.

07-19-2010, 02:09 PM	#6
dickieduvet Stalker Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 329	I'll go with The Burning, Only seen The Prowler a couple of times though, Might change my mind when my Blu-Ray arrives

07-19-2010, 02:37 PM	#7
Kim Bruun Maniac Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 583	I actually don't care for Savini's blue-faced ghouls in Dawn of the Dead. The Prowler has the most convincing gore out of all his slasher movies, I think. The two Fridays and The Burning are not far behind - not every effect is flawless, but they are generally very good. One effect has always kinda stood out for me. When Kevin Bacon has an arrow jammed though his neck, his skin tents weirdly before it breaks and the arrow head emerges. On the other hand, Savini himself is not entirely satisfied with his Cropsy makeup, saying that the scarring he designed did not accurately reflect the loss of tissue that a patient in Cropsey's situation would have suffered. I still like the makeup on Cropsey, though - it is grotesque and frightening.

07-19-2010, 03:13 PM	#8
j tea Stalker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: atlanta, ga Posts: 208	the prowler for sure, it was a terrible movie but definitely believable.

07-19-2010, 06:06 PM	#11
Body Boy HackMaster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia Posts: 1,032	I think Friday the 13th is the best movie here, but as for effects, The Prowler takes it. The shower and pool kills are excellent! __________________ www.oh-the-horror.com... ...DVD Collection (most of it)

07-19-2010, 08:05 PM	#12
Chunkblower Stalker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 191	I've always felt that Savini's effects were a bit overrated, but I have to admit that his work in The Prowler was impressive.

07-19-2010, 08:12 PM	#13
bigdaddyhorse Pterodactillion Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Up in the sky Posts: 10,145	I hate to agree with everyone, but have to on The Prowler having the best effects. Factor in when the movie was made and what they had to work with and it only gets more impressive. Maniac is runner up for effects, and Friday 4 would win favorite film from the list. __________________ "!" My Fucking DVDS

07-19-2010, 08:56 PM	#14
Body Boy HackMaster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia Posts: 1,032	For me personally, it goes: EFFECTS - 1. The Prowler 2. Maniac 3. The Final Chapter 4. Friday the 13th 5. The Burning 6. Eyes of a Stranger 7. Alone in the Dark BEST FILM - 1. Friday the 13th 2. The Burning 3. Maniac 4. The Final Chapter 5. The Prowler 6. Eyes of a Stranger 7. Alone in the Dark __________________ www.oh-the-horror.com... ...DVD Collection (most of it)

07-19-2010, 10:39 PM	#15
satans-sadists Sun Lover Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Phoenix metro Posts: 4,376	I think Savini's best effects work is in Day of the Dead, but since we're discussing slasher films, my vote is for The Prowler.

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