Rabid (1977)

After undergoing radical surgery for injuries from a motorcycle accident a young woman (former adult film star Marilyn Chambers) develops a strange phallic growth on her body and a thirst for human blood -- the only nourishment that will now sustain her. Vampire-like she prowls the city of Montreal using her sexual powers to attract victims who she then infects with a particularly virulent strain of rabies. In no time at all the city is reduced to a raging mass of rabid salivating monsters and only an army of machine-gun-wielding soldiers can subdue them. David Cronenberg's horror film explores the relationships between sex and violence between bodily disintegration and the disintegration of society.System Requirements:Running Time: 88 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: HORROR Rating: R UPC: 880934123590 Manufacturer No: SOM-DV2359 Product Description

Early Cronenberg

This is Cronenberg's 2nd proper movie. Baring that in mind, together with the limitations of the budget for a film of this nature made in Canada in the 1970's its actually a lot better than you might expect.

Yes some of the acting is a little wooden, and the special effects look very primitive now, but in fact watch this and then think about 28 Days/Weeks Later made roughly 30 years later and you begin to see a film that was way ahead of its time.

What also separates this film from most mainstream Hollywood horror movies made these days is its downbeat nature. Of course the grim reality of a viral infection spreading through the population is classic Cronenberg material.

In the UK you can pick this DVD up very cheap if you hunt around now. The limited extras on the UK region 2 version include production notes by film critic Kim Newman and an introduction by Cronenberg. April 22, 2008

Still Packs a Wallop 30 Yrs Later

I saw this when it first came out so I have a special fondness for it. I thought it was pretty cool back then and still think it holds up pretty good. April 7, 2008

a brief note about rabid

just wanted to say first that i love cronenberg's films, but if you're like me and want to own as many of his films on dvd as you can, you should know that this edition is NOT formatted for a widescreen tv. it IS presented in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, but you will get 'black bars' both on the top and on the sides of your screen. i find it surprising in this day and age that a recent reissue such as this would not be enhanced for a 16x9 widescreen tv. oh well. it is, however, a great film from cronenberg's early career and involves a trademark cronenbergian trope: the intersection of humans and technology and the bodily transformations that come as a result. February 3, 2008

Curious, strange, imaginative...maybe, but I think it's just ridiculous.

I had heard a great deal about "Rabid" and needless to say I was very intrigued by what I envisioned to be an imaginative horror movie. To say that it is imaginative would be accurate to some extent although there are clear parallels with this movie and the zombie movies of George Romero. However, just because a movie is imaginative does not mean it is good, and that is unfortunately the case with "Rabid".

Basically, "Rabid" is about a young lady, played by adult film star Marilyn Chambers, who gets into a motorcycle accident with her boyfriend. She is maimed and needs surgery that includes skin grafts among other things evidently. However, what happens at the point that Chambers' character recovers from her trauma requires an incredible leap of faith that is quite common in all of Cronenberg's films. Devoted fans of Cronenberg and cult fans of "Rabid" are more than willing to do this quite eagerly I would surmise, but I had great difficulty taking this Cronenbergian leap of faith.

To say that "Rabid" is over the top and far-fetched would be an understatement of epic proportions. The idea behind "Rabid" is not inherently flawed but the execution of the movie leaves a lot to be desired. The huge discrepancies in the plot of this film are very difficult to ignore along with the actual mechanics of the film which cause the viewer to come away with a feeling that the movie is basically ridiculous in every conceivable aspect. That said, there are some violent scenes, but nothing to write home about. There is some blood, but not exactly a gorehound's dream come true. There is a very little bit of suspense but not enough to keep one awake.

In short, "Rabid" is a rather insipid movie that is supposed to shock the viewer but, in reality, is ill-conceived and very unconvincing in its attempt to produce horror. While the Cronenbergian style is clearly evident in this film, it's clearly not enough to save this film. Largely lacking in atmosphere and suffering from a lack of substance, "Rabid" is a tired and frustrating viewing experience. December 4, 2007

I'd just ask for a couple of handfuls of popcorn

Hell hath no fury like a rabid woman scorned. The beautiful Rose is rushed to a clinic after a horrific motorcycle accident. Her life is drastically changed due to some experimental surgery.
After she awakens from a coma, she discovers that she has developed a vicious blood lust. This hunger refuses to subside, so she constantly goes on the hunt. She infests her human victims in a most peculiar way, and the results are monstrously devastating.
Cronenburg dares to walk the line between genius and crazy. I really love his directing style, constantly keeping you off balance. He also has great camera work, early in the film he shows the main couple riding fast on their motorcycle. There was a steady-cam shot just inches off the ground, focuses on the driver's boot on the foot rest. Impressive, way ahead of its time.
The overall movie is excellent too, a must-have for horror buffs or Cronenburg fans. It's definitely not a run of the mill type horror, which I think makes it all the more intriguing. August 11, 2007

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