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I used to be
able to watch just about any kind of film
and not be affected by it too emotionally.
This is not to say I don’t laugh if
the subject matter is funny, or cry if it
is sad… but more that if the subject
matter is disturbing it didn’t really
get to me. As I’ve gotten older however,
it has become harder and harder for me to
watch movies about serial killers. I’m
not talking the comic book serial killers
like Freddy Kruger or Jason, but the ones
based on the real thing. I find myself becoming
more and more mindful of the real horrors
that some people meet out in the real world
and still cannot understand what causes
a person to commit such incredibly heinous
acts.
Every day I read the paper and see where
someone has met their end at the hands of
another person, and in the worst cases,
it is children by their parents. Now that
I have a little 2-year old girl, those particular
stories get to me the worst. I honestly
have no sympathy for these murderers and
the ones that ‘get away with it’
by being admitted to mental institutions.
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I have no stomach for killing, but if you murder
your children regardless of the reason you deserve
nothing less than a bullet behind the ear. I realize
this sounds harsh, but considering the crime committed,
it just seems right.
That said, I realize I have gotten a little off
track so I will get back to the matter at hand.
In spite of my revulsion for serial killers and
the movies that are made about them, I still find
myself fascinated by the subject. I used to read
books about the likes of John Wayne Gacy or Ted
Bundy, but only because I wanted to find an answer
to the simple question, “Why?” As
it turns out, there is no simple answer and just
like I cannot comprehend the mind of someone who
likes football, I cannot comprehend the mind of
someone who has a compulsion to kill.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of a film
that disturbed me when it first came out and still
disturbs me to this day. “Henry: Portrait
of a Serial Killer” was loosely based on
the life of Henry Lee Lucas and starred Michael
Rooker a murderous drifter. The story picks up
well after Henry has established himself as a
murderer, and when his cousin Otis (Tom Towles)
comes to live with him for a while, he also finds
himself drawn into Henry’s world. It begins
when the two go out for a night on the town, picking
up a couple of prostitutes to add to the fun.
When they are through, Henry kills them, and Otis
learns first hand of the thrill of the kill.
The two then take off on a cross country murder
spree (taking along Otis’ sister Becky),
and each time they come across a new victim the
murders become more perverse. You see Otis going
through a change as the adrenaline rush turns
him into a ravenous killer, the thrill obvious
in his eyes. Henry on the other hand, remains
calm and cool. They are both in it for the thrill,
but the way they display it is diametrically opposed.
Even 20 years after its release, “Henry:
Portrait of a Serial Killer” is still a
savage and difficult film to watch. It has the
look of a documentary, which makes it all the
more real. Watching it, I am again reminded that
while this may be ‘only a movie’,
these things happen to people I real life. Just
as I cannot imagine what goes through the mind
of a serial killer, I cannot begin to imagine
the horror felt by the victims. The one saving
grace for this film is that it doesn’t make
heroes of the characters. It’s not the horrendous
“Natural Born Killers”, which had
characters that audiences rooted for. Here, the
film neither offers an explanation for their acts,
nor does it mythologize them.
Is “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer”
a good film? Despite my revulsion of the subject
matter, I’d have to say yes. It is an extremely
well made film, and the performances by Michael
Rooker and Tom Towles are nothing short of mesmerizing.
So much so that even though Rooker has gone to
play more mainstream roles, every time I see him…
I see Henry.
MPI is releasing a 20th Anniversary Collector’s
Edition of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial
Killer” and they are giving it quite the
royal treatment. I was talking about it to a friend
of mine who said that MPI’s earlier DVD
release had a really bad transfer. If this is
true, the studio has definitely redeemed itself
with this version. Considering the fact that it
was originally a low budget 16mm film, this DVD
looks absolutely pristine. The colors are extremely
vibrant (which is unfortunate in a few scenes),
and even the darker scenes offer quite a bit of
detail.
This new release is a 2-disc affair, with the
first disc offering up a feature length commentary
from director John McNaughton. He is quite outspoken
and delivers a well structured and very detailed
reminiscence of the experience of making the film.
It is one of the better commentaries I have heard
in a while. You’ll also find some trailers
and a still art gallery.
Once you get to the second disc, you’ll
be amazed at the quality of the extra features
presented here. There is a documentary feature
that runs just a little under and hour and features
an extremely detailed look at the making of the
film. It includes interviews with the director
as well as Rooker, Towles and Tracey Arnold (who
played Becky). It also includes a look at the
creative team responsible for the film’s
music. There is also a half hour documentary about
real life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, which
was originally broadcast as part of a series called
“Serial Killers.”
As if this wasn’t enough, you’ll also
find several deleted scenes with commentary by
the director, and a huge library of storyboards
from the film. I always enjoy looking at these
when they are available and comparing them to
the final shots. And while I wouldn’t call
this an extra, MPI opted to include a reversible
cover on the DVD. The outside has fairly normal
looking artwork, while the other side has a far
more disturbing look to it.
“Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer”
is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. It
is a fascinating film that fortunately does not
glorify the world of serial killers, but comes
extremely close to exposing us to a world we all
hope we never see.
Directed by: John McNaughton
Starring: Michael Rooker, Tom Towles, Tracey Arnold
Extras: Feature-length Commentary by John McNaughton,
Deleted Scenes and Outtakes with commentary by
John McNaughton, "Portrait: The Making of
Henry" all-new 52 minute documentary, 30
minute documentary on Henry Lee Lucas, Still Gallery
and Storyboards
Specifications: Dolby Digital 2.0
Studio: MPI
Release Date: 9/27/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Website
Website
We'll give Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
20th Anniversary Edition an A.
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