Edge of the Axe (aKa Al Filo del Hacha) is a 1988 slasher film directed by José Ramón Larraz (Deadly Manor, Rest in Pieces, Black Candles, & Vampyres) as “Joseph Braunstein”. It was co-written & produced by José Frade (A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin, Torment, The Coming of Sin, & Lucky, el intrépido). It was co-written by Joaquín Amichatis (Ruy, the Little Cid) & Javier Elorrieta (Witchery Deal, Blood Hunt, & If You Shoot… You Live!). In the rural Northern California mountain community of Paddock County, nurse Mirna Dobson is viciously murdered by a masked murderer with an axe while driving through a car wash. Computer expert Gerald Martin (played by: Barton Faulks from Future-Kill) has recently moved into a cabin on the property of an elderly hermit named Brock. One morning, Gerald accompanies his friend Richard (played by: Page Moselyfrom The Jigsaw Murders & Girls Nite Out) to investigate a putrid smell in the basement of a local tavern.
They find the rotting corpse of Mary West, a missing female barmaid. Gerald meets Lillian Nebbs (played by: Christina Marie Lane), the daughter of another local tavern owner who is home from college. The two bond over their mutual fascination with technology. Officer Frank McIntosh (played by: Fred Holliday from Body Chemistry 4: Full Exposure, Galactica 1980, & Dallas) begins investigating the recent rash of killings. Lillian finds a list of the three women who have been killed. When she asks him about it, Gerald explains that he regularly makes lists of data for amusement. Lots of locals are getting murdered & hacked by the unknown psychopath with an axe. Lillian confides in Gerald that she has recently discovered her cousin, Charlie, was released from a mental hospital. She suspects Charlie may be responsible for the killings. Later, Lillian uses Gerald’s computer, claiming to be researching a graduate program at the University of Portland. Gerald is puzzled when he finds a list of psychiatrists in the computer’s search results log. No one can be trusted during this killing spree. Is Charlie back? or Is it someone else????
Edge of the Axe reminds me a little of Pieces, Spanish production with an American vibe to it. Cult director José Ramón Larraz has done more than a few standout horror flicks in his career but I think this one is his best work. It was made during the slasher craze & it capitalized on it’s popularity to end up in all kinds of movie rental stores. The script was just okay but it knew exactly what it needed to be successful in this sub-genre. You can tell it was made by a foreigner because it had some real odd things that you wouldn’t usually see in this type of flick. I will say that it tried way too hard to make it obvious who the killer was. The twist was solid but it was a little predictable. They should have took advantage of that ending & did a sequel to this. Edge of the Axe is loaded with a solid body count with brutal kills & gruesome gore that will satisfy any horror fan. I love old school practical special fx. The killer looks really cool with a similar looking mask that resembles the one in Torso mixed with some Michael Myers. The acting is very hit or miss here but it does feature a few familiar faces like Conrado San Martín (Conquest), Jack Taylor (Pieces), May Heatherly (Pieces), Patty Shepard (Slugs), & Alicia Moro (Slugs). It’s one of my all time favorite Spanish horror films. Edge of the Axe is highly under-rared & rarely mentioned when 80 slashers are brought up, hopefully this new blu ray home video release from Arrow changes that, RECOMMENDED!!!!
Let’s talk about the high definition presentation from Arrow Video! This 1080p (1.85:1) transfer is from a brand 2K restoration of the original camera negative. Has you seen any of the original home video releases before? This is a major improvement over those, it’s almost like watching a new film because it looks so different compared to those older versions. All the nasty deaths & bloodshed look great in HD. Arrow Video has provided two different versions of this feature, the Spanish version or the English cut. Both English: LPCM Mono & Spanish: LPCM Mono tracks are a huge upgrade when it comes to the past. The dialogue is crystal clear, all the slashing has a killer boost to it, & the music sounds amazing here. It has English & English SDH subtitles. Arrow Video has resurrected this forgotten 80s slasher with a great release!!!!
Let’s discuss the special features from Arrow Video! “Audio Commentary” # 1 with with actor Barton Faulks moderated by filmmaker Matt Rosenblatt. “Audio Commentary” # 2 with The Hysteria Continues. The little over 11 minute “Gerald’s Game” interview with actor Barton Faulks. He chats about being a young actor & trying to make it in the business. He said he did something different in his audition for this & it actually got him the part. He goes over his experience for this production. He says various people played the killer during the filming to keep the audience guessing. He said it was fun making a horror movie but he’s not a fan of them. He mentions that he almost got the lead for The Fly 2. He brings up that he became a teacher after he stopped acting. He mentions the possibility of doing horror conventions. The little over 11 minute “The Actor’s Grind” interview with actor Page Moseley. He chats about his love for acting & how he started out. He talks about going to New York doing smaller films, soaps, & various television gigs. He brings up that he did a few horror films. He said he wasn’t sure about taking this role at the time because he had a young child & it required him to go to Spain for it. He goes over his experience for Edge of the Axe. He mentions that it was big overseas but he doesn’t remember it ever playing in theaters here. He reminisces about his first experience of him finding it at a Blockbuster Video & watching it. He jokes about the rumors of it being filmed in America & looking like certain locations. He chats about his time in Spain & the crew he worked with on this. The almost 8 minute “The Pain in Spain” interview with special fx & make-up artist Colin Arthur. He said he is mainly known for Conan & doing international films. He chats about the fx & kills from the film. He talks about his process when it comes to them. He goes into great detail about how he put stuff together for Edge of the Axe. It has some promotional items such as a little over 3 minute “Gallery”, a Spanish “Trailer”, & a American “Trailer”. It also has reversible artwork & a 23 page booklet with all kinds of photos plus information about the film. This belongs in every slasher & Spanish horror collection, It’s available everywhere right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!
