Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (30th Anniversary)

I don't know when this was set exactly, but looks like 70's, early 80's -- but it's not distracting once you get into the story.This is a disturbing film on many levels, but significantly so, b/c it doesn't focus on the apprehension of the killer. There's no sleuthing detective on his tail armed with a styrofoam cup and a pesky migraine, no concerned family members, ...it's just all about the rotten, empty world of the killer that no one seems to care about and a continuous stream of bodies gruesomely posed for our discovery. He moves so quickly that, at first, we don't even experience the violence...it's just an echo of the past as he's already moved on to the next victim.Technical/Plot issues (Read after you've seen the movie!): The audio track separates from the action for a bit mid-way, but then gets back in sync.This guy was in prison then let out as an adult -- so he's "in the system" yet he's leaving fingerprints and dna everywhere. But this reflects our 21st century views. As the 70's/ early 80's were without huge databases and desktop computers to run searches of prints and connect all the dots. Also, the character acknowledges "gotta keep moving" so they don't catch up -- which may be more plausible since interstate communications are a known problem even today (as far as I know).Which leads me to my last quibble. A self-aware serial killer? Perhaps. But this is unlikely given what we know about serial killers. He seems to have analyzed the downfalls of other serial killers and applied this to his own activity to elude capture. Murderers, including serial killers, aren't dispassionate about what they do....it's driven by emotion/rage/control etc. Otherwise they wouldn't do it -- they'd be an accountant. Indeed, emotional motivation is developed in Henry's story line and we indeed witness impulsive actions. Emotion is unpredictable and hard to control and this leads to mistakes, impulsive actions, and capture. As far as I know. Perhaps there are indeed a league of Henry's roaming about....undetected....that would mean a lot of bodies. Keep your eye out (not like the guy in the movie...).

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) is a disturbing horror gem, but the real events involving Henry Lee Lucas are much more unsettling. Although the movie is told and acted well, this version of Henry's life is G-rated in comparison with the sinister deeds he actually committed. However, it should be known that the MPAA slapped an X on this film after review, so director John McNaughton decided to leave the film unrated. Moreover, McNaughton said that his unrated, 82-minute version is basically a director's cut of the film since he declined to make edits to permit an R-rating.Dark Sky Film's (MPI Media Group) 20th Anniversary Special Edition of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer looks great on screen--it has an excellent vintage horror/grindhouse quality. Additionally, the musical score is freakin bad-ass and ominous as hell, indeed sharpening and intensifying horrific images that cut into the cornea and make the eyeballs bleed and scream. And for a low-budget film, acting and cinematography are excellent--it certainly isn't apparent that this is low-budget cinema.Despite this movie not accounting for Lucas' hideous acts, it's understandable. For example, Lucas was a necrophile and pedophile, which probably wouldn't sit well with audiences, much less sell. However, Lucas' life is recounted in a 26-minute documentary titled "The Serial Killers: Henry Lee Lucas" included on disc 2 of the 20th Anniversary Edition. Also included are an entertaining, 53-minute documentary about the making of the movie and a feature-length commentary with McNaughton, which I haven't listened to yet. For fans of extreme horror, the 20th Anniversary Edition is worth adding to the collection. AND, I recently noticed MPI released a 30th Anniversary Edition of Blu-ray, which contains a few new bonus features.

This film took a while to find its footing but is now regarded as a classic. This is low budget filming at its best. Scary, intense with a few shocking scenes but this does not rely on gore. Probably one of the reasons critics love it. Great extras, too.

As a collector of Arrow video blu-ray I ordered this without actually seeing the movie first.I had heard of the movie before and was familiar with the theme tune thanks to the band Fantomas and their Directors Cut album, I'm so glad I finally got to see this movie.The movie is fantastic, Michael Rooker is superb, somehow making you connect with his character Henry even though he is a mentally deranged serial killer and should be caught and locked up for ever.Filmed on a budget of around 100k usd using 16mm film, it's a gritty grainy bleak looking movie that only adds to it's charm.The characters are all great in their own way and seem to have interesting and sometimes shocking back stories.I really did enjoy watching this.However, I'm not sure it really needed a 4k UHD presentation and would have been just fine as a normal bluray release.I heard there is a sequel that is also quite good that I will watch.Sadly, Michael Rooker doesn't return to reprise his role as Henry is the sequel though.Above all, this is a very good Arrow release that every collector will love having up on their shelf.

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Para los fans del terror y temáticas de asesinos seriales esta película es obligatoria. Esta edición cuenta con mucho material adicional, pero ni éste ni la película cuentan con subtítulos al español.

Der Film vermittelt unter den vielen, thematisch ähnlichen Filmen eine glaubhafte, oft schockierende Charakteristik eines Serienmörders. Filmisch und schauspielerisch genau und ohne Zugeständnisse an den gängigen Zuschauergeschmack. Sehr düster und hart.