The Sadist (1963)

[akiratubo]

Don't let the presence of Arch Hall, Jr. scare you away from this one.  The Sadist is one of the best psycho-killer films I've seen.  It works because it knows its limits.  The setting is confined to a junkyard and a few hills behind it, there are only five real characters, and the actors are not required to do anything they aren't capable of.

Hall, Jr. is the titular sadist, who certainly lives up to his name.  He plays startlingly cruel psychlogical games with his victims, who for their part really aren't that brave.  The Sadist also prefigures the 80s slasher films by having one of the best "final girl" sequences you're likely to find.

Watch this one as soon as you can.  It isn't a perfect film by any means but it's head and shoulders above all but the best "slasher" or "psycho" movies.

[lester1/2jr]

I keep meaning to see this.  arch hall jr is perfectly cast.  he's the scariest thing about Eegah, not the caveman

[Raffine]

Agreed. I'd also highly recommend this one.

If you've only seen Arch Hall, Jr. in EEGAH! and WILD GUITAR be prepared for a shock.

His natural creepiness is brilliantly utilized.

[Rev. Powell]

Agreed: it's a good movie, on a low budget, and it's surprising to see that Hall Jr. can actually act.  Or maybe he was just playing himself in this one, so it came naturally.

Vilmos Zsigmond was the cinematographer on this one.  He went on to become one of the best in the business, and was nominated for 4 Academy Awards, winning one for CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.

[the master]

i was thinking b4 i watched this it would be campy and silly like eegah. oh gosh was i wrong!