Freak Out (film)
| Freak Out | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover of Freak Out | |
| Directed by | Christian James |
| Written by | Christian James Dan Palmer |
| Produced by | Ian Chaplin Yazz Fetto Christian James Steven Kovacs Simon Nurrish Dan Palmer |
| Starring | James Heathcote Dan Palmer |
| Cinematography | Christian James |
| Music by | Stuart Fox |
| Distributed by | Anchor Bay Entertainment (2005) (USA) (all media) Anchor Bay Entertainment (UK) (2005) (UK) (all media) Epix Media (2007) (Germany) (DVD) |
Release dates | September 11, 2004 |
Running time | 92 min |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £30,000 (estimated) |
Freak Out is a 2004 Low budget, independant film released on September 11, 2004 in the UK.
Tagline
Synopsis
When a dangerous escaped mental patient turns up on the doorstep of a die-hard horror nerd, the witless horror aficionado attempts to mold the unwitting reject into the perfect killing machine in a blood-drenched tribute to the stalk-and-slash frighteners of yesteryear. Merv Doody James Heathcote may not know much, but his does know horror films; if it features sharp objects and sexually adventurous sorority girls, chances are he's seen it -- multiple times. But seeing murderous mayhem on the screen and standing face-to-face with a real-life killing machine are two very different experiences, and when the genuine article comes knocking at his front door, Merv has a serious panic attack. Upon regaining his cool and realizing the potential in the hapless killer, Merv invites best pal Onkey Dan Palmer over and the two soon set about executing one of the most maniacal makeovers in screen history. Now outfitted with a snazzy orange jumpsuit, an appropriately menacing hockey mask, and armed with the world's most dangerous spatula, Merv and Onkey's murderous creation soon sets out on a violent rampage of death and destruction that sends the small-town citizens of Redwater Cove running for their lives. Upon realizing that they are the only ones who can put an end to the bloody killing spree, the longtime horror fans prepare to put their vast knowledge of slasher disposal to the ultimate test.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| James Heathcote | Merv Doody |
| Dan Palmer | Onkey |
| Nicola Connell | Abby |
| Yazz Fetto | The Sheriff |
| Desmond Cullum-Jones | Old Man Wilson |
| James King | Merv's Boss |
| Tony Rogers | Chip McCready |
| John Fallon | Looney Doll (voice) |
| Abby Forknall | Chip's Bitch #2 |
| Gemma Forknall | Chip's Bitch #1 |
| Chili Gold | Cherry |
| James Hicks | Jeremiah Gibble |
| Louise Hughes | Sexy Nurse |
| Less-Than-Jake | As Themselves |
| Chris Rhodes | Doyle DelFurie |
| Jane Scarlett | Scream Queen |
| Richard Scott | Spatula Victim |
| Peter Stanley-Ward | Inkey |
| Simon Stanley-Ward | Hagfan |
| Chris R. Wright | Smoking Hagfan (as Chris Wright) |
Production
Freak Out began filming on October 20, 1999, and ended June 12, 2003 with an estimated budget of £30,000. The film was shot at both Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK, and London, England, UK.
Reception
The film garnered mostly positive reviews from critics. It has been a "Certified Fresh" film on Rotten Tomatoes with 83% overall approval from critics and 66% from users.
Awards
In 2004, Director Christian James, won the Commendation Award during the Festival of Fantastic Films, in UK. That same year, he won the Best Genre Cross Over award at the Rhode Island International Horror Film Festival.
Trivia
- Desmond Cullum-Jones (Old Man Wilson) died shortly after filming his role.
- The first feature-length movie to film inside Broadcasting House, home of BBC Radio.
- The film took just under five years to complete.
- The dialogue spoken by Onkey (Dan Palmer) to Merv (James Heathcote) during the Blair Witch Play is a direct lift of a Jurghen Prochnow's speech in Beverly Hills Cop II.
- The town map in the background of the Police Station scene includes a "Silver Shamrock" bar. This is a homage to the Silver Shamrock corporation from Halloween III: Season of the Witch.
- Over ten different people played the character of the Looney; Yazz Fetto provided the voice.
- Jeff Dylan Graham was originally cast in a cameo role, but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.
External links
