Search - The Great American Snuff Film on DVD


The Great American Snuff Film
The Great American Snuff Film
Actors: Mike Marsh, Ryan Hutman, Melinda Lorenz, Holi Tavernier, Jason Dinger
Director: Sean Tretta
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
UR     2007     1hr 30min

Based on the journals of serial killer William Allen Grone, The Great American Snuff Film depicts a series of events involving the kidnapping, torture, and eventual snuff film murders of two young women in 1995. While ...  more »

     
2

Larger Image

Movie Details

Actors: Mike Marsh, Ryan Hutman, Melinda Lorenz, Holi Tavernier, Jason Dinger
Director: Sean Tretta
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sub-Genres: Horror, Fantasy
Studio: Ominous Productions
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen - Closed-captioned
DVD Release Date: 03/06/2007
Release Year: 2007
Run Time: 1hr 30min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 4
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: English

Similar Movies

The Girl Next Door
Blu-ray
Director: Gregory Wilson
   R   2010   1hr 31min
Gutterballs
Ws Unct
Director: Ryan Nicholson
7
   UR   2009   1hr 36min
Slaughtered
Director: Anthony Doublin
1
   UR   2008   1hr 22min
Breaking Her Will
Director: Bill Zebub
2
   UR   2009   1hr 34min
Naked Fear
Director: Thom Eberhardt
9
   R   2008   1hr 48min

Similarly Requested DVDs

Tron
20th Anniversary Collector's Edition
Directors: Robert Meyer Burnett, Steven Lisberger
   PG   2002   1hr 36min
   
Laid to Rest
Unrated Director's Cut
Director: Robert Hall
   UR   2009   1hr 30min
   
I Know Who Killed Me
Director: Chris Sivertson
   R   2007   1hr 46min
   
Gamer
   R   2010   1hr 35min
   
Ninja
Director: Isaac Florentine
   R   2010   1hr 32min
   
The American
Director: Anton Corbijn
   R   2010   1hr 45min
   
I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer
   R   2006   1hr 32min
   
George A Romero's Diary of the Dead
Director: George A. Romero
   R   2008   1hr 36min
   
Dinner for Schmucks
   PG-13   2011   1hr 54min
   
Rest Stop
Unrated Edition
Director: John Shiban
   R   2006   1hr 20min
   
 

Movie Reviews

They claim it's real, but....
P. Mann | Los Angeles | 05/16/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)

"In 1971, there was a little film called "The Slaughter." From all accounts, the film was horrendous. So it was re-edited, and a special scene was added at the end. Then, with the tagline "A film that could only be made in South America, where life is cheap," the film was re-released in 1976 as Snuff. The special scene supposedly depicted an actual murder, committed especially for the film. An intensive publicity campaign, including fake protesters who were hired to add to the film's notoriety, led to success.

Nearly thirty years later, along comes "The Great American Snuff Film." As the box and the film tell us again and again, this is the true story of William Allen Grone, a nasty serial killer who was executed in 2003. But wait, it gets worse. Grone was driven by his desire to make, in his own words, "the great American snuff film," and he actually produced 2 1/2 minutes of it--along with a number of diary entries that detailed his horrific crimes. But wait again! It gets even worse. This DVD contains "actual" footage from the murder. Just jump to the end of the film, and there it is. (It's right after the statement in the film that it's illegal in the United States to own a snuff film.)

Okay, reality check. Search for "William Allen Grone" online, and you'll find nothing but references to this film. The film claims that some names were changed to protect certain people, so maybe, just maybe, the filmmakers decided that the real killer's name shouldn't be used lest the film somehow sully his reputation. But then you look at the people who were executed in 2003 in the United States, and you find nobody who remotely fits the bill. Then there's the question of just how likely it is that a film with the actual footage of a murder would make it into reputable stores and Amazon.com.

So the whole thing's a stunt to entice viewers. There's nothing new there. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre claimed to be real. So did The Blair Witch Project. And, as noted, "Snuff" did, too. None of them, however, claimed to have the actual footage.

Beyond the marketing campaign, there is the issue of the film itself. This is a gritty, low-budget film that is done fairly well. The killers (Grone and his accomplice) abduct two girls whom Grone plans to murder as part of his snuff film. For a period of days, they torture the girls in a variety of ways, and most of this part of the film is quite convincing. All four actors do a very good job: Mike Marsh as the cold, calculating Grone; Ryan Hutman as the impulsive and dim-witted Roy; and Melinda Lorenz and Holi Tavernier as the victims. We also see periodic flashbacks to Grone's recent past, including his first murder.

Unlike, say, The Silence of the Lambs, which was based, in part, on a real case but which featured the completely unrealistic Hannibal Lector, "The Great American Snuff Film" rings true. Though there was no real Grone, the character we see could indeed be any number of predators out there. The gritty filmmaking, no doubt in large part because of budget constraints, works well at conveying a sense of dread and hopelessness that pervades the film. Like Henry - Portrait of a Serial Killer, "The Great American Snuff Film" succeeds to whatever extent it does in large part because of the techniques."
Snuff or bluff? Either way, this film is brutal
C. Christopher Blackshere | I am the devil's reject | 02/24/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

""I have a nervous condition, I can't get an erection with a woman. I've found this problem goes away once they've stopped moving."

Those are the words of William Allen Grone, a psychopathic serial killer whose terrifying snuff film is actually shown at the end of this movie. It also reenacts several disturbing scenes based on his journal entries.
Now here's the big question--Is it real? Uhh no, of course not. It's the Blair Murderer Project. But this raw footage certainly has a real feel and creepy atmosphere. It might make you squirm.
Now, unfortunately this film does have some problems. The acting is subpar, which isn't really important when a person is getting their head bashed in. Other times it is noticeable. Also there are some slow moments, extended periods where William is contemplating his next move, I guess. Cut about 20min out and this film wouldn't ever drag.
The special effects do look realistic. There is some extreme violence, rape, and nudity. I've seen much worse, but still, this isn't for everybody.
Finally, the last two minutes show the "snuff" film. It does look very real. It's not too graphic by today's standards, just a bullet in the head. Overall, this is a decent horror flick, recommended for you lovers of gore.
"
Are you kidding me???
Donald R. Myles | 07/24/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is probably the worst film I have ever had the displeasure of laying eyes on. Did I miss something? I feel bad for anyone who shelled out hard earned cash for this. This movie, didnt scare me, make me feel for anyone in the movie. I kept waiting to see the torture, that really never comes. Cigarette burns? Thats all they could write up? I came out feeling I just wasted an hour and a half of my life."
Not for the timid
Doug Brunell | A little south of Hell | 02/03/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)

"My original review on Film Threat is quoted in the editorial review section of this listing. I stand by it. This is not for timid viewers. Is it real? No. Will some people think it's real? Yes. Will it disturb you? There's a good chance it will.

The title alone will turn people off and keep them away from this. If you're on the fence about it, though, as I've said before, this pushes boundaries. It is not entertainment. That's what makes it excel. That's what makes it worth viewing.

I have the original film with the earlier artwork, so I can't speak of any extras on this disc, but the film alone is worth the price ... unless, of course, you're afraid to step outside the box."