Nightmare (1981 film)
| Nightmare/Nightmares in a Damaged Brain(aka Blood Splash aka Schizo) | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Romano Scavolini |
| Written by | Romano Scavolini |
| Produced by | John L. Watkins |
| Starring | Baird Stafford, Sharon Smith, C.J. Cooke, Mik Cribben |
| Cinematography | Giovanni Fiore Coltellacci (as Gianni Fiore) |
| Edited by | Robert T. Megginson/Jim Markovic(uncredited) |
| Music by | Jack Eric Williams |
| Distributed by | Goldmine Productions/21st Century Film Corporation/Screen Entertainment/Code Red DVD/New Star Video/Platinum Video/Sunset Video/Tapes of Terror/Astro Distribution |
Release date | 1981 |
Running time | 97 min/96 (UK) |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
Nightmare/Nightmares in a Damaged Brain (also known as Blood Splash) is Psychological horror/Mystery/Slasher/Exploitation film directed by Romano Scavolini that has been branded a video nasty is can only be purchased in the UK, USA or Canada in edited format (concerning alterations in the three deaths involving a stabbing, throat slashing and the closeup shot of a bloody head wound).
Synopsis
George Tatum wanders the streets, which is bad for everyone else as he's seriously warped and potentially homicidal to boot. In an effort to cure him of his never-ending sleepless nights and waking moments of nightmarish hallucinations and disturbingly real visions of carnage and brutality, he is dosed with experimental drugs which although outwardly to seemingly cure him of his night terrors and with it his psychosis, inwardly they brew a hidden unforeseen volatile streak that slowly empowers him until he is completely overwhelmed by it. Now having been prematurely freed from the Northeastern loony bin that has housed him for most of his natural life, he begins a spontaneous impulsive systematic slaughter spree across the states on his journey back to his original home in Florida and to a certain specific family whose offspring is connected to him...
Cast
| Actor / Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Baird Stafford | George Tatum |
| C.J. Cooke | C.J. Temper |
| Sharon Smith | Susan Temper |
| Mik Cribben | Bob Rosen |
| Danny Ronan | Kathy the Babysitter |
| Tommy Bouvier | Joey |
| Kathleen Ferguson | Barbara |
| George Kruger | Chief Cotter |
| Geoffrey Marchese | Tony Walker |
| Bill Milling | Paul Williamson |
| William Paul | Steve |
| Michael Sweney | Burt Daniels |
| Michael Sweney | Burt Daniels |
| Michael Sweney | Burt Daniels |
| Kim Patterson | Kim Temper |
| Tammy Patterson | Tammy Temper |
| Scott Praetorius | George as child |
| William Kirksey | George's father |
| Christina Keefe | George's Mother |
| Candy Marchese | Jogger/Candy |
Film was NEVER called NIGHTMARE IN A DAMAGED BRAIN by the rights owner. It was a title the U.K. distributor created for the U.K. release. U.K. distributor had 15 years rights to the film (expired in 1993), but still sells it in U.K.
Alternate versions from Internet Movie Database
- The original UK cinema version was heavily cut by the BBFC with edits made to closeups of throat slitting, a repeated stabbing, the ice pick murder, and axe blows (including blood frothing from a man's head) during the climactic flashback. The film was then listed and banned as an official video nasty, and a successful prosecution was brought against the distributing company World of Video 2000 in 1984 for releasing an unauthorized video version (which was 1 min longer than the cut cinema print). The film was finally granted a video certificate in 2002, though all versions released in the UK were from a longer pre-cut U.S print with edits to the throat slashing, a stabbing, and the closeup shot of the bloody head wound.
- The Australian video release of "Nightmare" under the name "Schizo" runs 89 minutes, and is missing most of the bloody moments, including the final axe murders and all parts involving the young George Tatum being covered in blood.
- The complete and uncut version of Nightmare is also available on video in Australia. Unlike Schizo it is under the original title and runs for 100 minutes. It is distributed on the Video Classics Gold label and is also Rated R. Interestingly there is fractionally longer dialogue sequences than in some other uncut prints.
- All the explicit gore was cut by editor Jim Markovic for the U.S. release to earn an "R" rating. Un-cut version was released in the theatres first, and the film didn't receive a "X" for it was never rated. The uncut version is available on video unrated.
- Originally banned in the UK as a result of the 'video nasties' frenzy, the film has been passed uncut the BBFC in 2002; this UK version however appears to be based on the R-rated US version and is not uncut.
- In Germany , the film has been released uncut on DVD from Laser paradise in its Blood Edition. DVD is unauthorized.
- Dutch video version is as fully uncut (100 min) as is the Australian video version (not the "Schizo"-Tape)