The Burning Reviews

• 4.5 STARS: Don't look, he'll see you...don't breathe, he'll hear you...don't move, you're dead!!!

  
  By A3FUBUJAIGM87T on 2007-08-06
  In my daily search for lost horror movie gems, I thought to myself that I may have found one in the notorious slasher movie called "The Burning". Indeed, the movie is notorious because it was previously banned in some countries as the gore is considered to be graphic in the extreme. However, upon a viewing of the movie, I came away thinking to myself that it wasn't so much the gore that would offend the average viewer especially horror movie lovers (Tom Savini was terrific as usual), but, if anything, perhaps the sex scenes and nudity were a little strong for younger viewers, certainly not enough to be banned, however.
  
  Anyway, "The Burning" starts off simple enough as the audience is thrown into the middle of Camp Blackstone as an ornery man named Cropsy is being conspired upon by a group of boys who want to "pay" Cropsy back for his sinister ways. The trick goes bad and Cropsy is burned so badly that no skin grafts would take and Cropsy is reduced to an inhuman freak of nature. Still, Cropsy recovers his physical strength and then some it seems as he begins his mission to gain revenge upon those campers that wronged him, including any other girls or adolescent sex-crazed boys that might be in the area.
  
  The plot in "The Burning" is simple and quite effective as it is based upon the age old act of revenge. After he leaves the hospital, Cropsy haunts the woods of another camp where one of his former pranksters/assailants is now a camp counselor. Now, if you have seen "Madman" or any of the "Friday the 13th parts 1-6" movies, you have a basic idea of what it going to happen, or do you? An element of surprise along with some graphic violence brilliantly orchestrated by the legendary, Tom Savini, marks this slasher as a cut above the rest. Interestingly enough, even children, in broad daylight no less (which is certainly not the norm in horror flicks), are not spared in this movie, and I think that makes this movie more realistic, scarier and certainly more horrifying. No one is exempt from the vicious and evil Cropsy. Perhaps, it is this graphic violence where not even the children are safe in the broad daylight that shocks the conscience of the audience and sets this movie apart from the abovementioned horror flicks.
  
  Indeed, "The Burning" is similar to "Madman" and "Friday the 13th" but also different. "The Burning" is constructed differently and, as I mentioned above, the majority of the death scenes occur in the daytime, which as I said is quite unusual for horror flicks, but very effective in creating a sense of realism which only works to magnify the horror of this film.
  
  The infamous "raft scene" (***SPOILER ALERT***) takes place in broad day light as well, and the audience really has no idea about what is about to happen, and that's part of what makes it so great along with the brilliant special effects of Tom Savini and the brutal violence associated with this scene. The setting of the raft scene is rather unorthodox for a horror movie as you have children safe in a raft during broad daylight and having a great time no less. However, a lonely canoe emerges, the contents of which are largely unknown or to say the least surprising. The audience knows that the campers' canoes are missing, that a girl is also missing, therefore, the viewer thinks it could be the body of this girl, but when the kids on the raft come upon what seems to be this lonely canoe, a scene which ranks highly as one of the greatest scenes of pure horror ever filmed in a slasher flick (or any horror movie for that matter) ensues. The "raft scene" is an absolutely brilliant piece of cinematic horror and the movie is worth owning for this scene alone, although the movie is very good overall as well.
  
  Cropsy, as a villain, is quite formidable, sadistic, perverted, strong and evil, and after the burning of his body, it is apparent that Cropsy takes on a rather inhuman form with monstrous characteristics and qualities that only amplify his prowess as a villain. In fact, it's safe to say that Cropsy is an evil, sadistic and perverted freak of nature.
  
  The main things I like about "The Burning" is the unexpected scene the audience gets with the raft, the realistic-type atmosphere and the brilliant job done by Tom Savini on the blood and gore associated with the murders in this movie. The kills are violent, shocking to the conscience, come without warning, vicious and are committed without remorse leaving the audience horrified and paralyzed with fear of Cropsy.
  
  Criticisms of this flick are few but not entirely insignificant. As with many slasher movies, there is some needless dialogue, gratuitous nudity and some scenes that maybe funny in a sense, but have absolutely nothing to do with the movie as far as its merits as a horror movie are concerned. However, there is some constructive character development in these scenes and the camp theme is presented only too well (gives me flashbacks) and quite accurately in the movie. It is unfortunate that some of the scenes do reflect some weak acting at times, and if you are not really into the humor of sexual inuendos and such, you may find yourself bored as the movie tends to drag just a bit in the middle.
  
  Still, "The Burning" heats up into a very nice horror movie and while "The Burning" may be inferior to some of the elite horror movies on certain levels of producing scares and atmospheric "horror" in the sense of inspiring fear in the audience, the movie is still very effective as a horror movie with its graphic violence and shocking death scenes. The theme music with Cropsy is very effective and the audience settles right into Cropsy's dark, morbid and isolated world of evil. The atmosphere in "The Burning" with regard to its support of the movie as a horror flick comes and goes with Cropsy really, but when it's there, it's very effective. In other words, when Cropsy appears to be out of the picture, the movie takes on a kind of comedy-like atmosphere in a sense and it is funny, but this also works to ease the uneasy emotions and tension in the audience stimulated by the horror and fear that "The Burning" produces.
  
  At times, "The Burning" struggles to maintain the pure horror movie spirit and the effect is spurts of virulent horror (albeit very effective spurts of horror), but we do not have in this movie the unrelenting terror and building tension of "Halloween". The acting in "The Burning" is average and the characters are not very likeable which may temper the horror just a bit. With all of that being said, "The Burning" is a must-own horror movie classic in my opinion, and is clearly superior to all of today's trash and sacreligious remakes of horror movie classics. Indeed, "The Burning" is very effective as a horror movie and is one of the greatest slasher flicks ever made while also earning a nice little place on my DVD shelf. "The Burning" is a clear-cut classic in my opinion, although the rating says FOUR STARS, my official HorrorMan rating is 4.5 STARS.
  
  As a side note, look for Jason Alexander who plays a happy-go-lucky type of guy who fosters comedy during the dry scenes as the movie tends to drag a bit in its efforts to inspire a horror-movie like atmosphere...the now famous actor on the hit TV sitcom "Seinfeld" was able to steal a few weak comedy scenes with his buddies. GLAD THEY FINALLY CAME OUT WITH THIS MOVIE ON DVD!! THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP CLINT!!
  
  
  

• NOT just another slasher-movie

  
  By A1GPTYVGX3L8BB on 2003-03-03
  There are so many slasher-movies with the usual cliches; dumb blondes (no offence) that are running up the stairs instead of running just out the front door to escape from the boogeyman; cars that don't start; everybody being killed one by one, and in the end the bodies suddenly pop up when the only survivor (the dumb blonde) finally starts to suspect there's something wrong etc.
  This flick is totally different, 5 people are killed by the maniac at the same time in broad daylight. Their bodies are discovered by a whole group of teens, who are crying for the lost of their friends. This is the first time that such things are shown in a slasher-movie and I had my share.
  So this movie has an entertaining story and isn't that predictable as most of the slasker-movies are. The SFX are also very good.
  My advise, if you like slasher-movies don't miss out on this one, but also don't expect a -nightmare on Elm street- success.
  
  

• The Burning

  
  By A1AKKXMVII2DVM on 2001-02-21
  I remember first seeing this movie when I was about 5 and beingso scared it gave me nightmares. Do not take this lightly. I had beenwatching horror films since I was 2 and no horror film had reallyscared me until I saw this one. Anyway, I saw it again recently and itwas still pretty scary. It may be considered a "Friday the13th" rip-off, but I personally thought it was on par with theFriday the 13th series

  The killer in "The Burning" wasincredibly creepy because he is never really seen, other than thefirst and last five minutes of the movie. You are left with yourimagination to visualize how horribly disfigured this man has becomefrom the cruel prank played on him. And unlike the murder of almostevery other horror film, Cropsy isn't afraid to take his anger out onanyone, adult or child.

  Remembering this film, I am reminded of oneparticular scene which has been mentioned several times. THE RAFTSCENE. No other horror movie (to my memory) has ever had the guts topull off what was done here. This scene is still implanted in my mindand will no doubt go down in horror movie history.

  Another attributewhich makes this movie completely frightening is the haunting score. Istill hear those haunting keyboards playing in my occasionalnightmares. Creepy.

  Creepy atmosphere, haunting score, and actingjust cheesy enough to work make this a memorable 80s slasher. Totallyunderrated and a must-see for any horror connoisseur. Also try Madman,which was another movie based on the "Cropsy Legends."
  
  

• BURNING TO BE ON DVD

  
  By A2HJNBIVUTAO9W on 2004-02-04
  THIS IS THAT ONE GOOD HORROR MOVIE THAT NEEDS TO BE ON DVD IVE BEN AFTER THIS MOVIE FOR 3 YEARS NOW WHY IS THIS MOVIE NOT ON DVD I KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU LOVE TO SEE THIS ON DVD
  
  

• The Way Camping Was Meant to Be

  
  By A96JD9312DHWC on 2002-06-23
  The joyful tales of the fabled summercamp getaway have come to us through the ages and actually made their "impact" in the 80's. Its easy to see why, too, because so many people can associate with the plights of the atypical camper. Having to deal with all those awkward situations as a teenager, from the pesky interactions with attractive semi-clad to altogether naked females to the bullyesque intimidation of "swimming with human sharks," seems to make life hard. Mingle this with the brutal aspects of that new kid's game, throat gardening, and its easy to see why parents keeping sending their children back for more.
  This installment in the killing fields/camping mentality films mixes better-than-average acting (seeing Jason Alexander with hair seems to be an odd experience to people only familiar with his Seinfeld days), some nice touches of gore, and a menacing pair of hedgeclippers into something that stands above many of the "classic" slasher films. It nice to see the concepts of so many movie failures mixed into a better forum and done pretty well, leaving you to sit back, get to know the characters, and count them as the bodies drop.

  Its definately something to pick up for calming your kid. Show them this and tame that troubled tot without having to shell out a fortune or go on daytime television. The threat of being dismembered has its advantages!
  
  

• The best slasher you've never seen
  By AJKWF4W7QD4NS on 2007-09-12
  Originally released in 1981, The Burning may seem like Friday the 13th redux (the original Friday only came out a year before this did), but make no mistake that this slasher is better than any installment of that long running and tired series. The Burning revolves around a camp terrorized by the deranged Cropsy (Lou David), who five years prior was the victim of a prank gone horribly awry, which has left him horribly burned to the point where no skin grafts of any kind could take. Naturally, a camp full of horny teenagers should sate his homicidal desires. What really makes The Burning memorable are the inventive makeup and gore effects of legendary FX master Tom Savini (coming hot of the success of Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th), as well as the super early appearances from future Oscar winner Holly Hunter, as well as funnyman Jason Alexander and Fisher Stevens. It's also worth noting that the film was written and produced by Harvey and Bob Weinstein; before their upstart company Miramax went to runaway success. The DVD doesn't have a plethora of extras, but it does have a commentary track from director Tony Maylam as well as a featurette with Tom Savini who recollects on his work and experiences making the film. All in all, slasher movies rarely get any better than this, and if you've never seen The Burning, you should definitely check it out.
  
  
• Two Words: Raft Massacre!
  By A2M5FJ38NINOQF on 2001-11-03
  What a great, cheesy 80s slasher flick. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. When I first saw the Burning, I was only 11 or 12, and I was convinced that the murderer was going to kill me in my sleep. Friday the 13th didn't keep my up at night--THIS movie did. After watching it again (and THANK YOU amazon for giving us the unedited, uncut version!), I can see why I was so scared. The murders are not satiric like they are in Scream and other current movies. They are unapologetic and violent. And the raft scene that everyone seems to talk about really is as good as it sounds. Fingers get snipped off, throats get impaled, bodies fly into the water, and a silhoutted figure continuously raises his garden shears up and down, up and down... it really is one of the best scenes I've ever seen in any slasher flick.
  
  
• The Best Slasher Movie Of All Time
  By A1MECEHZHFE5PT on 2006-12-12
  "The Burning" is hands down my favorite slasher film of all time,
  I personally love the killer in the woods slashers the best and this qualifys.This film starts as a flashback "of course"..The kids at a summer camp play a trick that goes terribly wrong on Cropsy the mean spirited groundskeeper and he is burned beyond recognition, Flash to hospital where the horribly burned and disfigured Cropsy is being treated and going through physical therapy then released with a warning that it will take him awhile to adjust to being in the outside in his disfigured state..Flash to the seedy part of Times square he picks up a prostitute and when she reacts in a horrified manner to his appearance he loses it and kills her ,After seeing the first kill I knew it was going to be a great slasher film.
  Flash back to the woods "summer camp " Cropsy returns to the scene of the crime to wreak havoc and spill PLENTY of blood .I personally don't see why they didn't make a sequel ,Cropsy and his garden shears are scarier than Jason and his machete anyday as far as I'm concerned.
  I have 2 copies of this DVD one still unopened,as you can see it's hard to find and if you find it it's very expensive. This is a MUST HAVE for slasher fans.
  
  
  
  
• This dvd is great
  By A2Q8LV9R34A960 on 2007-09-18
  Not only is the movie one of my favorite hidden slasher gems of the 1980's, the transfer to dvd is absolutely beautiful. While the dvd lacks many special features, it makes up in picture. Even as a standard dvd, it holds up top notch on my LCD television. DEFINITELY recommended for any horror/slasher fan out there with intention of adding to their library. I'm so glad this finally had an official release!
  
  The featurette with Tom Savini and the audio commentary is worth the buy as well. Plus, the low price. Pick this movie up, and contribute to the interest of putting more gems onto dvd format!
  
  
• Not bad...
  By A2CWTJ4Z8TBKS2 on 2007-09-23
  Where was I when this movie came out? As a young, nubile horror geek I would have been well advised to have watched this rather than some of the terrible Friday the 13th sequels in the 80s. This one is very similar to Friday the 13th with the campers and remote rural setting but it has some good, well known actors, decent character development and a few genuinely suspenseful moments. I wouldn't say its a lost classic but it doesn't suck either. And given the sad state of most of today's horror films, its actually pretty good..
  
  
• One the lost "Gems" of the 80's "slasher" genre
  By A1KP0IVWU0RQ0A on 2007-08-28
  I have been waiting for this one to hit DVD for a while now. As a "slasher" movie this one is a "cut"(I know had to say it) and still holds up well today.
  Old man Cropsy is a boozes hound and works at a summer camp spreading his own kind of cheer among the kids. So much so, that one night the kids play a trick on him that goes wrong and burns him very badly. After long stays in many hospitals he leaves and goes out into a world that finds him repulsive(one hooker pays for the unkind words) and he decides that all campers should DIE!!!!!!!
  Flash to a group of campers(Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens, and a few more well known faces) and we have the plot rolling. After a raft trip goes wrong Cropsy really starts to "cut" the group down with garden sheers.
  I know it sounds and is a little like "Friday The 13th" but it is well made and plays better than the series and is much more fun.
  If you like slasher movies and want a good time catch this "GEM"! Well worth the time!!!!!
  
  
• Cut-throat horror!
  By A50TH2E7L31H7 on 2008-01-10
  Long ago, a janitor named Cropsy was burned horribly by a bad prank that went wrong leaving him disfigured. Five years later, he comes back to the same camp where he worked as now he seeks revenge with a huge pair of shears which he uses to cut his victims in pieces with it but can the campers survive a vacation to hell?
  
  Entertaining and gory to the max slasher movie that is one of the most overlooked slasher movies ever! Tom Savini's make-up effects are mindblowing even by today's standards as i think he is the master of all make-up artists. The film co-stars Holly Hunter and Jason Alexander before their major film careers, there's some incredible graphic violence such as the infamous raft massacre sequence with more of the gore that was cut out and restored on this DVD. The music score is quite chilling as well, it's not for the faint of heart but a must have for fans of "Sleepaway Camp" and "Friday The 13th" alike.
  
  The DVD has some cool extras like two featurettes especially on Tom Savini's make-up effects, photo gallery and a trailer.
  
  
• Garden shears... A new use..
  By on 2001-02-25
  I saw this movie back in 1983 when it started to show up on HBO. I loved it! At the time Friday the 13th was the movie by which all others were judged. The Burning lived up to it and then some. The best scene is when Cropsey Jumps up from a seemingly empty canoe and cuts a guys fingers off! High scare ratio with several young actors who went on to make it big. Holly Hunter being the most famous. You won't go on any trips to the woods anytime soon after watching this video!
  
  
• Better than FRIDAY THE 13th
  By AGQ8TQ8U3KG19 on 2002-03-28
  THE BURNING is a rare case of a ...[copy] overshadowing the film that it inspired it. In this case, that film would be FRIDAY THE 13th. Both films have the same core plot: a summer camp haunted by a vicious killer and... teenagers who get it on and then get offed just as quickly. Several pluses that make THE BURNING a better film, however, are the actual presence of "characters." In FRIDAY THE 13th, the counselors were faceless, barely distinguishable from one another. So in the end, who gives a hoot if they get their throats cut? While the characters in THE BURNING are not exactly ORDINARY PEOPLE-caliber, at least their relationships and personalities are interesting. Heading the list are Todd (Brian Matthews) as a tough but sympathetic-to-the-underdog camp counselor; Alfred (Brian Backer), a geeky outcast with a penchant for spying on girls in the shower; Michelle (Leah Ayres), Todd's feisty and sensible girlfriend. Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens, and Holly Hunter also make early appearances here. THE BURNING also has a brooding, ominous atmosphere, as well as a nice sense of humour to counter-balance the atmosphere. Finally, the film also subverts our expectations by killing off folks unexpectedly, and in daylight, no less. Two word: raft massacre. Five people get it right there in broad daylight, easily popping that theory that you have to be alone for a killer to come after you. Take that, Ms. Voorhees.

  Bottom line? While FRIDAY THE 13th set the stage, THE BURNING -- in my opinion -- set the standard.

  This film is currently available on DVD only in England, and viewable on region 2 or region-free DVD players only (which I am getting soon). In the US, you can order the tape through Amazon. Or buy a region-free DVD player if you can afford it ...and order the DVD for THE BURNING from amazon.co.uk. Otherwise, what are you guys waiting for? The tape's right here! It's well worth it.
  
  

• A legend of terror isn't a campfire story anymore!.
  By APCHVFMSQZVY4 on 2005-10-24
  The burning is probably one of the best slasher films to be released in the early 80's so why is it not released on dvd yet on Amazon. This is one of those forgoten horror films that should not be ignored, so it might have all your typical horror cliches and this film might look like it was cashing in on the sucess of Friday the 13th only thing is I think that its better than any of the friday the 13th sequals and it was fantastic. A group of teenagers dicide to play a prank on the old caretaker but when the prank goes wrong the caretaker is burned and badly disfigured, a couple of years later when hes released from hospital he decides to have his revenge on the kids in the same camp and he'll kill anyone in his way. Cropsy the killer in this film was quite menacing and his weapon of choice is a garden shear so you can only imagine the damage that is going to happen in this film. The story is simple enough but you'll probably want to watch this for the graphic gore and blood and this film does not dissapoint, the special fx were done by Tom Savini some scenes include a teenager being stabed in the neck and then impaled on a tree and the canoe scene where a bunch of teens get their limbs and fingers hacked of and thats the reason why this film almost got an x rating and was banned in sevral contries. The film also has two famous casts including Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter before they were stars and I'm sure they probably wouldn't mention anything about this film out of embaresment oh well, the film was slightly sleazy what with the execsive nudity blood and gore but thats what makes this film excelent to watch.
  
  
• the burning.
  By ADU4A0K4QZDBP on 2006-09-23
  The Burning, which I prefer to call the real Friday the 13th. part 2, is basically a bland imitation notable for starting Miramax films as well as the careers of Jason Alexander (george from Seinfeild, he completely dominates every frame he's in) Holly Hunter (who appears in "stand around and say nothing" scenes akwardly appearing in the 2nd. half of the movie) and Fisher Stevens of Short Circuit fame. It's the true Friday 13th. sequel because this is the film that Tom Savini chose to do after the original Fr 13., and his FX were the only memorial thing about that film. The story deals with a ornerous groundskeeper at camp blackfoot who is nicknamed Cropsy (real name never given) that is badly burned after a bunch of scoundrels concocte a prank involving a skull, worms, and lit candles. 2 weeks later, we see Cropsy reach out of his oxygen tent at the local hospital and grab a male nurse's wrist, sporting a fake-looking burned arm (I'n pretty sure they stole this scene from "Mad Max"). after he's released 5 years later, he immediately goes and kills a prostitute on the bad side of town. I suppose this scene is suppose to establish Cropsy going completely over the edge because he now thinks "I'm so hideous, even a prostitute won't have me", but it doesn't really do anything but make the film a little sleazier. Right after that, the sun comes up over the lake at a summer camp (this transition is very heavy handedley done and shows off the films relatively poor editing). and for the next half hour or so, its excursions of hijinks, bullying, and character development with our killer pushed completely out of the picture. finally, a bunch of the kids and 3 counselers go to an island via canoe for an overnight campout. after events take place in which the canoes disapear, a raft is built and some of the film's more likable character's are killed when they approach a stray canoe that Cropsy happens to be hiding in. This scene is actually great, but totally illogical since Cropsy would have immediately tipped over the canoe since you can't really stand up in a canoe (especially that fast) and also because most of the kids are well out of reach of his shears. in fact, the furtherest away guy is probably 7-9 feet away (he would have definetley fell over at this distance). This is the highlight of the whole movie. then theres the usual chase sequence, with Cropsy's burned face (a great sculpture by Savini) finally being revealed, and then his demise. Leah Ayres ("Bloodsport" babe) portrays a grating camp counseler and theres also a particularily annoying character named "Tiger", but most of the acting is solid. I particularily liked the actress who plays Marnie (Bonnie Durowski?) and was suprised to see that she has only been in a couple of other movies. Unfortunately, she doesn't appear much (but has more speaking parts than Holly Hunter). Fortunately I got the deluxe and rare MGM version for free after a friend of mine DVR'd it off the Monster HD channel. This movie is definetely NOT worth $150 for the region 1 DVD, or $30 for the VHS. However, I would recommend this film to slasher movie fans.
  here's some interesting trivia;
  -a common rumor exist that Laurence Fishbourne got his start as the orderly that Cropsy grabs, but this is a mistake, he actually made his debut as a hospital orderly in "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3".
  -the rubber mask that Eddie uses to scare everybody around the campfire is Tom Savini's first phantom of the opera mask that he made way back in 1970.
  -Lou David, who plays Cropsy both in and out of makeup, was hired only because his nose was unusually upturned and "piggish", so that Savini could more effectively sculpt a person's face where their nose had been burned off.
  -Rick Wakeman created the soundtrack. He also contributed music to "Creepshow 2", a film that also contains dead teenagers on a raft.
  -The girl who plays Tiger also played Ferris Bueller's sister in Ferris Bueller's Day off.
  -The Dummy who plays dead Cropsy, Boris 2, is also the same dummy who gets stabbed in the back during the raft massacre.
  -Tom Savini made 7 Cropsy masks, one for each day between the time it took him to make the first and until Cropsy's death.
  
  
• HAVE ANY MARSHMELLOWS???????
  By APQ8N1UKS1RDC on 2007-08-07
  The Burning is a very good gore bath! And alot better
  then the PROM NIGHTS,TERROR TRAINS,GRADUATION DAY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY
  TO ME,HOSPITAL MASSACRE,HUMONGOUS,APRIL FOOL'S DAY,MY BLOODY VALENTINE
  KILLER PARTY,MOTHER'S DAY,RETURN TO HORROR HIGH,SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE
  SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE,TRICK OR TREAT,TRICK OR TREATS,FADE TO BLACK
  VISITING HOURS,CAMPFIRE TALE,CAMPSITE MASSACRE,CHEERLEADER CAMP,DEATH SPA
  CHOPPING MALL,CLASS REUNION MASSACRE,BLOODY BIRTHDAY,BLOOD RAGE,THE
  ABOMINATION,ALONE IN THE DARK,THE LAST SLUMBER PARTY,THE MAJORETTES
  MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH,MOVIE HOUSE MASSACRE,and last but not least
  how can we forget THE MOUNTAINTOP HILL MASSACRE(whew! alot of CRE there)
  Well The Burning my friends is not the above! This takes place at a
  summer camp(NO! WAIT! It's good!)A FIRE KILLER named CROPSY(love that name)stalks a cast of WELL KNOWNS now with the LONGEST pair of scissors
  you have ever seen(hee-hee) Great Tom Savini effects and music score
  by YES and Black Sabbath's SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH album keyboardist
  Rick Wakeman and you'll have a ROASTING(sic)goodtime. I was recommended
  this by my Horror bud HORRORMAN and GOREHOUND M.MORIARTY has ordered it
  so you know it's a BURNING HOT FILM(cheesy Clint..cheesy)
  
  
  
• Pretty good slasher
  By ADH5E2OE07PAQ on 2007-10-08
  This movie is more like a 3.5 but I still like it for the most part. Its a good horror flick but not perfect. It pales in comparison to classics such as TCM or the Shining. It does have its glaring weaknesses such as the lack of suspense. And its very predictable. However it does capture terror and it has a good amount of gore.
  
  The story takes place when a group of teens burn some guy into a crisp. A practical joke goes bad and they torch em'. He later returns from the hospital and goes back to the place where it happened. He then begins to start literally clipping people off.
  
  This movie did borrow heavily from Friday 13th. The setting, choice of victims, very ugly and deformed killer, and campfire story telling. Still this is a very good slasher from the great eighties. What I like the most is and what captures the feel of terror for me is. He's not some super killer that has to be decapitated or doused with holy water or something. The guy is someone out for revenge. He's mad for being scarred for life. Who can't feel that?
  
  
• A Classic Killer In The Woods Slasher Film
  By A2I3OL1WKWUYUF on 2008-05-13
  I remember seeing the Australian video cover to this film in a service station many years ago, and it was the now ultra-rare cover with "This movie has contents which may offend" and one of the girls getting her throat slit by the maniac killer. I HAVE this video cover somewhere at home, just want to know how much it's worth. The back of the cover has a deleted scene on it where the remaining survivors are coming out of the woods to go into the helicopter. But on the movie itself, it's an old fashioned slasher film in the same way as Friday The 13th is, just not as effective. But i loved it, the gory death scenes were good, especially where Glazer dies. I bought this for $150 on DVD here ages ago (What a BIG mistake that was, since you can buy it now for $7.98.) All in all, a good, creepy slasher film, with a creepy soundtrack.
  
  
• Get heated up with "The Burning"
  By AGFO6RNCAAT09 on 2001-03-22
  Teens at summer camp play a prank on nasty caretaker Cropsy that leaves the man horribly burned. In following slasher film tradition, Cropsy returns years later for revenge with his trusty hedge clippers. Only this time he uses them on throats instead of bushes. Entertaining but run of the mill killer diller gives us young Jason Alexander, Holly Hunter, and Fisher Stevens. Look for Larry (Laurence) Fishburne early on in the film as a hospital orderly.
  
  
• A horror fans dream
  By A2TXU7ZIPUT0R8 on 2001-08-08
  This movie captures all aspects of a true horror fans dream. It resembles Friday the 13th in many ways, yet still manages to have its own magic. The movie centers around a widely disliked caretaker named Cropsey, who is burned severely in a horribly gone wrong teenage prank. The caretaker, after being released from the hospital, decides to take his vengeance out on the teens that are staying at the camp. The film is from then on non-stop trills and chills. Make up artist Tom Savini out does himself, with his gory, throat slitting talent. This movie is a must see for all of you who love horror movies. And the best part is its a true story!
  
  
• The Burning
  By A3ME9W2B0F9CG1 on 2001-09-08
  Many Thanks for this Great video.
  Miles better than the Dvd!!! Version available over here in the U.K.

  With the Extra 10 or so Seconds Added it was so Fantastic to see Tom Savini's Make Up Fx on that Famous " Raft Scene " Uncut!!!

  Thumbs Up for ... for selling this film at a superb Price.
  Shame on you VIPCO for Releasing it on DVD(U.K) Cut and a ... Picture Quality.

  Many Thanks
  
  

• 80's Horror at its Absolute Finest
  By A3PVSNS17HCIXN on 2001-10-01
  Forever linked to Friday the 13th because of their similar plot and setting, The Burning, in my opinion, blow Jason out of the raft...I mean water. Here is all the elements that made 80's horror so great wrapped in one blood-soaked camp laundry bag. The effects by splat-maestro Tom Savini are deliscious. The infamous raft massacre is a watershed moment in the genre. It's fun. It's bloody. It's so 80's. And what a cast of future stars! Check this baby out.
  
  
• One of the best of the Camp Slasher movies!!
  By A3NA2K23CMMMNZ on 2001-11-22
  This movie absolutely deserves recognition for the debut appearances of star talents Jason Alexander (Seinfield), Holly Hunter (Copycat, Living Out Loud), as well as the special effects by Tom Savini. A caretaker is brutally disfigured after the young campers play a horrible prank on him. Years later, he is released from the hospital (still disfigured from burns) and wreaks havoc at the a neighboring campsite. Why does he come to this particular camp to raise carnage?? See to find out. Some truly splatter scenes follow (i.e. the raft scene). A MUST SEE for any slasher/splatter fanatic. And to those who only adore the post SCREAM slashers (Valentine, I Still know...) - a look is deserved at how slashers should REALLY be done.
  
  
• A big notch above the average slasher movie
  By A2E1SR92C1MP4L on 2002-03-16
  Only some minor holes in the plot keep this from being a 5 star flick. First let me advise you to see the uncut version, the censored version lacks the pizzazz that is sorely needed to get thru the plot holes aforementioned. In fact without the Savini effects this movie would garner only 3 stars and would be hopelessly lost in the run-of-the-mill camp-slasher flicks that permeated the 70s/80s.
  It's quite a kick watching Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter portraying teens caught up in this bloody little movie. Will they become sliced and diced victims? -- I'm not gonna spoil it.
  Well worth the effort to find it uncut. Enjoy!
  
  
• Makes Friday the 13th look like Casablanca
  By A25Q2DZ58SYF55 on 2003-05-30
  Well, let me explain the header. Casablanca is arguably one of the best films ever. And to say Friday the 13th is like that film in comparison to utter swill like The Burning, that's quite a bashing. The greatest detriments have to be the acting and the script. The ONLY reason to watch this refuse is for the raft scene-- admittedly impossible to achieve such carnage with a pair of shears, but still entertaining-- and that's only in the Amazon release, to my knowledge. And you can find that raft massacre on a clip somewhere on the web, so get that instead of this film.
  
  
• Got DVD today
  By A28PKH421MS9YY on 2003-06-01
  I just received the DVD...today. It is absolutely awesome. The Burning is truly the mother of all horror/slasher flicks. It has some great acting and very good character developement. Also, some quite humorous moments from Jason Alexander as well. If you are a horror movie fan this is a must see.
  
  
• Another great 80s horror flick!!!
  By on 2003-09-13
  Well this movie has been out of print for years now. It was funny reissued by mgm only through amazon.com for about 1 year and it had the restored cut scenes that were edited out from the 80s thorn/emi release. This movie has been seriously neglected. It was released in 1981 and came to video for 1 year in 1981, and has been out of print ever since. Its only been reissued once and it wasnt global it was amazon.com exclusive and only on VHS and now out of print. Ive been begging MGM to release this in widescreen with a theatrical trailer and maybe some bonus features. If u want this reissued on DVD, like they have in UK. Then goto mgm's website and under frequently asked questions in click on suggestions/comments and suggest the burning for reissuance on DVD. Thank you!
  
  
• Great movie, why not in the US?
  By A256XDCQRV1990 on 2006-09-21
  I saw this movie while visiting friends in Sweden, it is a great movie I would have to say better than your average slasher film of the 80s, and I am a solid Jason/Freddy fan. I wonder though, will the US film company that initially released this realize that we like it too? Give us The Burning!!!!
  
  
• Good Old Horror In The Woods Film
  By A26USSQAJBUU6O on 2006-09-23
  I have the Australian VHS Version somewhere at home, hopefully i can find it. It is cut, The scene where Ned Eisenberg gets the shears in the neck is cut, that footage can be found on Scream Greats, Volume 1: Tom Savini. Great old horror flick, in the realms of Friday Part 1, but does hold its own, with a very creepy music score.
  
  

• From Beyond (Unrated Director's Cut)
• Scarecrows
• Tales From the Crypt / Vault of Horror (Double Feature)
• The Prowler
• The Food of the Gods