Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film

2006 "Every Evil, Every Nightmare, Together in One Film"
7.2| 1h28m| NR| en
Details

This historical and critical look at slasher films, which includes dozens of clips, begins with Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Prom Night. The films' directors, writers, producers, and special effects creators comment on the films' making and success. During the Reagan years, the films get gorier, budgets get smaller, and their appeal wanes. Then, Nightmare on Elm Street revives the genre. Jump to the late 90s, when Scream brings humor and TV stars into the mix.

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Reviews

Nessieldwi Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.
CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Isbel A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
homecoming8 "Going To Pieces: The Rise And Fall Of The Slasher Films" is more than just a documentary, it's a legacy for the fans. But even for the 'non-fans' it is very intriguing, interesting and entertaining. For them, most information is new and it is the perfect blueprint of a piece of history. What is the attraction of slasher-movies to the fans ? Is it normal to totally adore these films ? Which titles where the real classics ? What was the downfall and whose fault was it really ? Which movie was so controversial that it in fact killed the genre ? The influence of the government on films, etc, etc..Even for the slasher-fans, this docu presents new info. Like a lot of fans, I also grew up with the : "Friday" and "Halloween" films and I am still a huge fan of those movies. But there are also a couple of "forgotten" slashers which might have slipped your attention throughout the years. The sub genre was resurrected, not once but twice in a big way. Even for those who have seen all the "halloween" and "Friday 13th" documentaries, those who have all the background stories on special effects masters like Savini and Nicotero. Those who already own the special features interviews by Cunningham, Craven or Carpenter: "Going to Pieces" is the one you STILL have to see. Because they are only a few of the known names in here. Ever hear the female director of "Slumber Party Massacre" defend the genre ?" Or The director from the classic "My Bloody Valentine", or "April Fool's Day" ? Did not think so.. Since it was released in 2006, the last movies covered are "Hostel" and the first "Saw". We all know that horror is back in a big way since than. The last 5 years have once again been big for the genre. See what happened before that. In a nutshell: One of the best and most complete documentaries EVER..
Mr_Censored "Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film" chronicles just that: the prestigious and respectable beginnings that quickly gave way to the cheap and lazy knock-offs that saturated and diluted the genre. Whether the films were attempting to create luminary icons such as Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger or cashing in on even the most trivial of holidays, they enjoyed their fair bit of success, made on a shoe-string budget and backed by major studios who treated them like red-headed step-children. The films were gory, gratuitous, often over the top and almost always a pleasure for genre fans, which of course means they were chastised by critics and the MPAA did all they could to neuter them.Featuring interviews with legendary directors such as John Carpenter and Wes Craven, as well as special effects heroes like Tom Savini and the late Stan Winston, "Going to Pieces" does a fair job of assessing the sub-genre as a whole while shedding some light on some more obscure fare that got overshadowed by the blockbusters that defined the era. It recalls a time when special effects were practical and suspense was key. You didn't need a star or a pretty face, just a relatable character and an unrelenting madman. Even the lesser films like "Slumber Party Massacre" or "Sleepaway Camp" were enjoyable despite their lack of originality, and the documentary acknowledges that. Sometimes it digs deeper, questioning the mindset of the parents who rallied against the biggest offenders, as well as big time critics like Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, who strip away much of their credibility in failing to realize the purpose of these films, and that is to viscerally entertain its audience, thus providing the ultimate escapism."Going to Pieces" is nothing if not thorough. It leaves virtually no slasher film untouched and treats its subject with the utmost integrity. It manages to capture all of the nostalgia fans associate with these films, but at the same time, recognizes the downfalls of the genre and doesn't view everything at hand with rose-tinted glasses. Even still, if you remember the golden age of the slasher film and remember what it was like to be truly disgusted and yet entertained at the same time, "Going To Pieces" will go a long way in unearthing those old feelings as well as providing a substantial education in the genre. It's rare that these films are treated with respect and discussed in-depth, therefore, this is one documentary you won't want to overlook.
Anthony Pittore III (Shattered_Wake) As a slasher fan for the majority of my life (my first theatrical horror was 'Jason Goes to Hell' at the age of 6), I thought 'Going to Pieces' would be a fascinating look into the subgenre. I was right.Sampling through dozens of different slashers from all different levels and featuring a collection of some of the best and most influential filmmakers in the slasher subgenre (and other sectors of horror), 'Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film' manages to be simultaneously informative and entertaining. Also, it helped out with a few slasher recommendations for those looking.There are a few problems, however. The editing is spotty, and often just bad. Also, as far as the subject material goes, it really could've and should've gone a little deeper, especially when you have that many great minds of horror in one place. Experienced horror fans won't find a lot of new information, but it is nice having it delivered in a compiled form.Overall, if you're looking for a simple & informative documentary on the history of the slasher flick, this is a good film to see.Final Verdict: 8/10.- -NOTE - If you have not seen the films listed below and do not want them spoiled, I would highly suggest staying away until you do:'April Fool's Day' (1986)'Carrie' (1976)'Friday the 13th' (1980)'Graduation Day' (1981)'Halloween' (1978)'Happy Birthday to Me' (1981)'Last House on the Left' (1972)'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984)'Scream' (1996)'Sleepaway Camp' (1983)-AP3-
GlennDavidTaylor OK, I liked this documentary a lot. It had great information, great interviews with the actors and creators, and all of that.All in all, it was very entertaining, informative, well researched, etc.So, you may ask why say that I have a "spoiler" in such a film, or how is it possible.Well, here it is: They left out one very important Series of movies (or they covered it so fast that I didn't even see it in 2 viewings).What did they leave out, you ask. Candyman, Candyman, Candyman.Those movies certainly deserved a little credit. Also, no mention was made about how Science Fition spliced itself together with slasher films in movies like Shocker and The Hidden. Aren't they slasher films? Anyway, they couldn't include every movie ever made, of course, but no Candyman? How is it possible? Other than that, I thought this documentary was excellent.Desert-Buddha