Martin

[This was originally published as part of DVDmon back in 2000]

Martin (1977) - (Other Horror)

Film: ****
Audio: ***
Video: ***
Extras: ***
Value: ***1/2
Overall: ****


Studio: Anchor BayProduced: 1977Rated: R Running Length: 94 min. DVD Release: 7/4/00 Video: 1.33:1 (Full-frame) Audio: English DD 1.0 Subtitles: None Retail price: $30 Low online price: $18-->

George Romero’’s film, Martin, is a postmodern approach to the vampire myth which eschews all the typical phantasmagorical elements in order to place its monster in the world. Vampires walk in the sun, eat garlic, and long for "sexy stuff" relationships that involve partners who are awake. The film begins with the title character boarding a train where he stalks and murders a victim. The images on screen alternate between a black and white version of what is playing in Martin’’s imagination and a color depiction of his crime. In reality, Martin doesn’’t hypnotize his victims and bite them. Instead, he shoots them up with drugs and then slits their wrists, letting the blood flow all over himself.

Arriving in Pittsburg, Martin is met by his European cousin, Cuda, who is very superstitious. Cuda warns Martin that he will save his soul before destroying him because he knows that Martin is Nosferatu. The dichotomy of the naturalized Martin versus the Old World ways of Cuda is just one of the fascinating themes in Romero’’s film. In a country where we long for roots to a forgotten past, Cuda is a troubling reminder of what those times also held. He is not mistaken in thinking Martin to be evil, but he is thoroughly wrong in thinking why.

Martin does not glamorize vampire chic the way many other films do. Martin’’s feedings rarely go the way he imagines they should. While he acknowledges the lack of magic around him, the deeply longs for it. To be a suave ladykiller and have villagers chasing him with torches is much more romantic than bashing bums and running from police officers. Romero punctures the allure of the vampire mythos by reducing them to pathological serial killers.

The DVD is presented in full frame because it was originally shot that way on 16mm. The picture quality is generally good with some slight ringing in the darker shots. The sound is monophonic, but punchy. Included as a bonus feature is an audio commentary with Romero, Tom Savini (who did double duty as special effects make-up and as an actor), and John Amplas (who played Martin). If sitting down with these three and listening to them reminisce sounds like a good time, this is the track for you. The most frustrating part of the track is learning of a three hour version of the film which has vanished. This is not a movie to use as a show off disc, but it is a rewarding experience for fans of George Romero and of vampires.

- Review By Chris Peltier