Another film touting the evils of bible preaching and overbearing mothers on the development of young boys . . .
Ed Gein (Steve Railsback) was doomed from the day he was born if you ask me and this movie did a lot to support my above mentioned theory about religion and overbearing mothers. Seems that a lot of serial killers do their deed in the name of the almighty. Or is it just that movies are preoccupied with that idea?
Either way, in this film we see how Ed Gein did everything he could to please his mother (Carrie Snodgress), including butchering and wearing the flesh of sinners in the town. Although I am not too sure that Mom approved of the wearing of the flesh but I guess that doesn't really matter.
The film itself was a little slow moving but I think that lent itself to the character of Ed Gein who was very introverted and a bit slow himself. Although there seemed to be a town full of people who tried to accept him and help him along in life, Ed didn't seem to want their help. Rather he wanted to help himself to their flesh. Maybe the first known case of a man wanting so badly to become a woman, Ed seemed to want to step into the skin of the women that he butchered as well as the women whose graves he robbed.
There have been many other films that have borrowed bits and pieces of the killings of Ed Gein - think Psycho or Silence of the Lambs - but this just goes to show you that truth really is stranger than fiction. There really are people who are so sick and demented in this world. That thought is enough to scare even the most fearless of horror fans.
While
Ed Gein is certainly not the best serial killer film I have seen, it was definitely entertaining. I know a lot of people complain about the pace but really I have to repeat that I think it truly showcased the slowness of the main man himself. Check it out when you've got some time to kill . . . no pun intended.
If you enjoyed Ed Gein, here are reviews of other recommended movies:
DahmerHobbs End
Ed Gein Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Chuck Parello
Writing credits
Stephen Johnston
Cast (in credits order)
Steve Railsback ... Ed Gein
Carrie Snodgress ... Augusta W, Gein
Carol Mansell ... Collette Marshall
Sally Champlin ... Mary Hogan
Steve Blackwood ... Brian
Nancy Linehan Charles ... Eleanor
Bill Cross ... George Gein
Travis McKenna ... Ronnie
Jan Hoag ... Irene Hill
Brian Evers ... Henry Gein
Pat Skipper ... Sheriff Jim Stillwell
Craig Zimmerman ... Pete Anderson
Nicholas Stojanovich ... Dale
Dylan Kasch ... Melvin
Tish Hicks ... Leigh Cross
Lee McLaughlin ... Warren Hill
Bill Pirman ... Dean Story
Thomas C. Rainone ... Butch (as Tom Rainone)
Daniel C. Striepeke ... Doctor (as Dan Striepeke)
Heather Gunn ... Georgeann
Ryan Thomas Brockington ... Ed at 16
Austin James Peck ... Ed at 10
Luke Rowland ... Henry aged 14
Chad Halyard ... Roger
Devin Alexander ... Doris
Rick Simpson ... Henry aged 20
Ben Caswell ... Officer David Bell
Heather Gettings ... Nazi Girl
Melissa Engle ... June
Gladell Adelman ... Virginia Boyd
Danny Keogh ... Hunter
Jim Kundig ... Hunter
Douglas Hunter ... Hunter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Virginia Boyd ... Minnie Bergstrom (uncredited)
Andrew Craig ... Harris (uncredited)
Erin Cristall ... Hill/Anderson Store Extra (uncredited)
Carole Davis ... Rosemary (uncredited)
Larry Finch ... Tavern Extra (uncredited)
Ed Gein ... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Brian Hillman ... Frank Worden (uncredited)
Colette Marshall ... Bernice Worden (uncredited)
Sean Morton ... Cop Extra (uncredited)
Mike Muscal ... Drunk Hunter Extra (uncredited)
Amy Pope ... General Store Extra (uncredited)
Andie X ... Photographer Extra (uncredited)
More Ed Gein Movie Reviews
Review of Ed Gein at Really ScaryEd Gein Movie Review from Bloody Disgusting
