“Martin 1977” is a black-and-white horror film about a young man who believes he is a vampire. Martin is a cinematic experience that will suck you in and leave you feeling drained, as the story follows its titular character’s descent into darkness. The movie is full of suspenseful moments and compelling performances that keep you on the edge of your seat. With its eerie beauty and haunting score, “Martin 1977” will leave you with a lasting sense of dread and unease.
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Review
Martin: The Vampire Classic That Still Haunts Us Today
In 1978, a young filmmaker by the name of George A. Romero released a movie that would change the horror genre forever. The movie was called “Martin,” and it told the story of a young man who believed himself to be a vampire. At its core, “Martin” is a dark and gritty exploration of addiction, loneliness, and the human need for connection.
The movie opens with our main character, Martin (played brilliantly by John Amplas), traveling by train to live with his cousin Cuda (Lincoln Maazel) in Pittsburgh. Right away, we see that Martin is not your typical vampire. He doesn’t have fangs or an aversion to sunlight; in fact, he insists that he doesn’t even need blood to survive.
Despite his protests, Cuda is convinced that Martin is a vampire and sets out to destroy him. Martin’s struggle to find his place in a world that doesn’t understand him is at the center of the film’s plot and serves as a metaphor for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t fit in.
“Martin” is not your typical horror movie. While there are certainly plenty of scares throughout the film (including some truly terrifying scenes involving syringes), it’s really more of a character study than anything else. Amplas’ performance as Martin is nothing short of amazing; he brings an incredible depth and nuance to the character that makes us sympathize with him even as we fear him.
One interesting aspect of “Martin” is its use of black-and-white flashbacks to reveal Martin’s origin story. These scenes are shot in a beautiful, dreamlike style that contrasts sharply with the rest of the film’s gritty realism. These flashbacks serve as a kind of lyrical interlude in an otherwise bleak story.
Another standout performance comes from Maazel as Cuda, who serves as the film’s primary antagonist. Cuda is a deeply religious man who believes that Martin is a vampire sent by the devil to corrupt his community. Maazel’s portrayal of Cuda is intense and terrifying, making him arguably one of the most memorable villains in horror movie history.
Despite its dark subject matter, “Martin” has a surprising amount of humor sprinkled throughout. Much of this humor comes from Martin’s interactions with his victims, whom he often approaches with a charming smile and a friendly demeanor before plunging a needle into their necks. In one particularly hilarious scene, Martin tries and fails to seduce a woman at a disco.
“Martin” was not a box office success upon its initial release, but it has since become something of a cult classic among horror fans. Its realistic portrayal of addiction and loneliness resonates with viewers even today, more than 40 years later.
Perhaps the most lasting legacy of “Martin” is its influence on the vampire genre as a whole. Whereas traditional vampire stories often rely on supernatural elements like garlic and crosses to defeat their bloodsucking foes, “Martin” strips away all the mysticism to focus on the human heart at the center of each monster.
In many ways, “Martin” paved the way for other realistic vampire stories like “Let The Right One In” and “Only Lovers Left Alive.” Without Romero’s groundbreaking film, it’s possible that we wouldn’t have some of our favorite modern vampire classics.
If you haven’t had the chance to see “Martin,” I highly recommend giving it a watch. It’s not your typical horror movie, but it’s guaranteed to stick with you long after you’ve turned off your TV. As Cuda says in one memorable scene: “The world ain’t what it seems.” In “Martin,” that truth has never been more apparent.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 96
- Release : 1977-10-27
- Genre : Horror, Drama
- Cast : John Amplas as Martin Mathias, Lincoln Maazel as Tada Cuda, Christine Forrest as Christina, Elyane Nadeau as Abbie Santini, Tom Savini as Arthur
- Crew : George A. Romero as Director, George A. Romero as Editor, George A. Romero as Writer, Tom Savini as Makeup Artist, Tom Savini as Makeup Effects
- Popularity 7.004
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Laurel Entertainment
- Summary : Martin, who believes himself to be a vampire, goes to live with his elderly and hostile cousin in a small Pennsylvania town where he tries to redeem his blood-craving urges.
- Tagline : He could be the boy next door…
