I happily stumbled upon this gem of 80's horror when I learned it had been re-released on DVD from MGM in 2007. Directed by Tony Maylam (Who hasn't really done much else.) and produced by Harvey Wienstein it was the first theatrical release for Miramax back in 1981.
From what I had heard about the film "A camp caretaker takes his revenge upon the teenagers at a summer camp after a practical joke goes wrong, causing him to be burned severely." It sounded a lot like friday the 13th to me.
However the script for "The Burning" (originally titled "The Cropsy Maniac.") was written before Friday the 13th, but due to prodcution problems had a late start.
The movie itself was shot pretty normally and is nothing to write home about. But surprisingly the script is much better than the onslaught of holiday horror movies to come.Unlike Friday the 13th the cast is refreshing and likeable, Instead of wanting to the see the little bastards chopped up, you actually recoil when some of your favorite characters are in jeopardy. The special effects are superb for the time and are done by none other than the master of splatter Tom Savini.
The cast is also great starring holly hunter ans Jason Alexander (With Hair.) All in all the film is superb and I think is right up there with the original Friday the 13th. The movie also gives us one of the coolest murder scenes when a raft of 6 teenagers fall victim to the cropsy maniac, ALL ON THE RAFT.
Rent it or Buy it you will likely enjoy the 1980's camp feeling of "The Burning."
