Nightmare Beach is an interesting effort credited to Umberto Lenzi to tap into the popular youth orientated horror craze of the mid 80’s. It has sat on my shelf for a few years and isn’t a film that I have actively wanted to see until its reemergence on Blu ray from 88 films recently. The recent announcement of a 4K transfer has prompted my to get the finger out.
Boasting a pretty impressive cast, who are admittedly genre regulars, there is a pleasant mix of new faces alongside those more recognisable folk. The film is really directed by writer James Justice wearing the pseudonym Harry Kirkpatrick and later credited to Umberto Lenzi, who was originally due to direct. Lenzi backed out and assisted James with some technical advice. James and Lenzi had previously written 1988’s Primal Rage featuring Sarah Buxton alongside a few other actors from Nightmare Beach.
There is a rip roaring soundtrack that elevates the film and gels it all together. A great collection of obscure 80’s rock bands feature on the soundtrack and whilst they are not quite Van Halen, are pretty fantastic. I had a go at a music recognition app to see if I could find the bands, however, they were not recognised. A flash in the pan for the bands but further research shows Rough Cutt are the only band who went onto any notoriety.
A leader of a violent motorcycle gang, who is executed on death row in the opening scenes, might have returned from the dead zipping around the beach during spring break murdering kids and creeps alike. The plot is insanely simple and really just an excuse for some elaborate killings and they are quite inventive.
The film spends time enjoying the shenanigans of the kids during spring break without being terribly depraved. Certainly there are staples of 80’s party comedies, however, it feels like there is an effort to play less tacky, for example the wet T-shirt completion is mostly shot from behind and does not dwell on imagery that other movies would have pushed for.
John Saxon is the local cop on the case, however, as with most Italian flavoured films, there is more to him that meets the eye. Michael Parks is another welcome participant playing the Doctor with a secret that is eating away inside him. Lance De Gault plays a religious fanatic who’s passion for the bible is maddeningly intense, this is potentially an interesting character, especially when examining the relationship with his family, however, he is played entirely as a fanatic with very little arch. The three are presented as possible contenders for aiding a psycho who is running around the seaside town murdering kids.
Of the younger cast, things are a little less impressive. Feature film editor Nicolas De Toth plays our hero in this, the last of a handful of roles in front of the camera. He is aided by Sarah Buxton and the camera fixates on her luscious eyes and lips. They are both okay however, their characters are hardly memorable and a romantic subplot is poorly implemented relying entirely on the audience just accepting it. Rawley Valverde is De Toth’s pal and a gratingly horrible character who has not aged well, and whilst Valverde is good in the role that character’s early exit is a good thing. There is a decent collection of other fun youths to keep the first half of the film interesting and humorous; however, the film loses these characters as the plot takes over.
Nightmare Beach doesn’t challenge or make any attempts to be a classic. It does manage to deliver the goods one looks for in 80’s slashers, scantily clad ladies, blood and a light whodunit. It’s a strong example of a forgotten horror, like Shallow Grave, that is in the process of being rediscovered. It would not be fair to tear it apart for its ropey approach, poor script and plot holes as it manages to maintain a constant level of fun throughout. There are some quality performances from the three bigger stars and some enjoyable ham from the younger… actors. I liked it.
Poster art seems to be based around two beautiful hand drawn posters. Video art was a little less impressive. The film also see to have been released under the title Welcome To Spring Break
Nightmare Beach is due to be released on 4K and whilst it’s brilliant to see it hitting the latest and greatest medium, I’m happy with my little Blu Ray. The quality is superb, suits the film nicely and it’s pretty cheap at the moment.
