Director - Stanley Kubrick, Cinematography - Douglas Milsome
"This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed: my rifle and myself are defenders of my country, we are the masters of our enemy, we are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace. Amen."
Slaughter of the Innocents was released in 1993; one of several horror-tinged serial killer thrillers that arrived in the wake of The Silence of the Lambs. Writer-director James Glickenhaus (The Exterminator) went so far as to cast one of Lambs' supporting cast members in the lead role; Scott Glenn stars as FBI Special Agent Stephen Broderick. When his 12-year-old son, Jesse (Jesse Cameron-Glickenhaus), discovers new evidence in a serial killer's case file - on the eve of the convicted killer's execution, no less - Broderick leads the reopened investigation to capture the real perpetrator before he strikes again.
While half of the film is a standard police procedural, the other half is dedicated to Jesse, who helps solve the case. Able to outsmart the FBI and the killer alike, Jesse is a cyber genius. Broderick consults with his whiz-kid not only about technology but case details as well. Although unlikely Glickenhaus' intention, one might assume the character is on the autism spectrum today. While that is no laughing matter, the child’s excessive intelligence leads to some unintentionally humorous moments, exacerbated by the plot's reliance on futuristic yet dated technology.
The mystery angle played up in the first act - which includes a neo-Nazi red herring - is deflated as the killer is revealed to the viewer relatively early on. Zitto Kazann (Waterworld) is suitably creepy in his limited screen time as Mordecai Booth, whose killing and abduction of children and animals is motivated by the Bible. The plot culminates with a memorable climax, although it's undermined by a schmaltzy epilogue. Crisp cinematography by Mark Irwin's (Scream, The Fly), an effective score by Joe Renzetti (Child's Play, Poltergeist III), and realistic makeup effects by Gabriel Bartalos (Leprechaun, Frankenhooker) elevate the project.
This is a rare starring role for Glenn, who seems better suited as a character actor. Although decent enough, he overplays his hand at times. Cameron-Glickenhaus is the son of the director but reportedly had to audition like any other actor. His delivery isn't always natural, yet he's able to handle mouthfuls of deductive jargon. The cast also includes Darlanne Fluegel (Lock Up), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys), Armin Shimerma (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and Tim Colceri (Full Metal Jacket) in supporting roles, as well as a young Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight) in a bit part.
Long out-of-print on DVD, Slaughter of the Innocents has been restored in high-definition for Synapse Films' new Blu-ray. Along with a crisp presentation of the film, it includes special features new and old. An audio commentary by Glickenhaus - originally recorded for the LaserDisc release but absent from the DVD - is included; the even-keeled filmmaker explains what's accurate when it comes to FBI procedures and executions versus where he took artistic liberties, and he provides insight into choices regarding camera positioning and movement.
The disc features new interviews with Bartalos, who tells how he drew inspiration from butcher shops to achieve the film's realistic gore, and Irwin, who discusses shooting on location in Ohio and Utah, including the big finale. Other extras include deleted and alternate scenes; a vintage electronic press kit with cast and crew input; archival interviews with Glickenhaus, Cameron-Glickenhaus, and Glenn (portions of which appear in the EPK); a brief interview with Glickenhaus and his son at the 1993 Dylan Dog Horror Fest in Italy; Cameron-Glickenhaus' screen test footage; and trailers and TV spots.
Like the majority of imitators hoping the capitalize on the success of The Silence of the Lambs, Slaughter of the Innocents lacks the rich source material, the A-list cast, and the high-concept script paired with smart direction to take a psychological hold over the viewer. Instead, Glickenhaus delivers a B-movie take on the serial killer craze with just enough pulpy absurdism to make it worthwhile.
Slaughter of the Innocents is available now on Blu-ray via Synapse Films.
