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Sleepaway Camp

Actor(s): Mike Kellin, Jonathan Tiersten, Karen Fields, Christopher Collet, Paul De Angelo
Director(s): Robert Hiltzik
13

Details

MPAA Rating: R
Content Advisory: Not For Children, Profanity, Gore
Movie Release: 1983
DVD Release: 07/25/2000
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
Audio Tracks: English
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 24 mins
Studio: Anchor Bay
Members Wishing: 3
Genres: Horror, Slasher Film, Teen Movie
See Also: Sleepaway Camp

Synopsis

A deadly boating accident derails the life of a sensitive youngster, leading to confusion, madness and murder. Years after the incident, Angela (Felissa Rose) is still withdrawn and rarely speaks, living a sheltered life with her aunt and cousin Ricky (Jonathan Tiersten). The two young teens are sent off to Camp Arawak to spend the summer, and though Ricky attends every year and has plenty of friends, Angela is unable to fit in and finds herself the target of cruel taunts from her bunkmates. Her cousin is always ready to stick up for her, and she begins a timid romance with Ricky's best friend Paul (Christopher Collet), but it isn't enough to stop the abuse from their fellow campers. Soon a series of fatal accidents is plaguing Camp Arawak; a pedophilic cook is scalded alive, a practical joker drowns mysteriously and the boys' restroom becomes the scene of a horrific bee swarm attack. The campers are fleeing in droves, and the few who remain begin suspecting foul play. But who is the killer? The camp's owner (Mike Kellin) believes that the killings are only meant to ruin his business, and he's convinced that the hot-tempered Ricky is to blame. When the evening of the camp social arrives, it proves to be the bloodiest night of all, and a terrible secret is revealed in a bizarre confrontation on the beach. This offbeat slasher mystery (also known as Nightmare Vacation) has earned a sizable cult following for its twisted sensibilities and inspired a pair of direct-to-video sequels. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide

Cast

Mike Kellin - Mel
Jonathan Tiersten - Ricky R
Karen Fields - Judy
Christopher Collet - Paul
Paul De Angelo - Ronnie

Editorial Review

Robert Hiltzik's horror film Sleepaway Camp comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. There are neither subtitles nor closed-captions on this release. Supplemental materials include a commentary track recorded by Hiltzik and star Felissa Rose, and the theatrical trailer. This is a solid release from Anchor Bay that should be of interest to any genre enthusiast. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Member Reviews

Vanessa V. - POUND RIDGE, NY wrote on 10/31/2008...

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

How had I not heard of this movie sooner? This is a slasher film that belongs, at the very least, in the pantheon of slasher-movie gems. If, like me, you find all slasher movies slightly ridiculous, especially those from the '80s, but love them anyway, you must see Sleepaway Camp.

Slashers are generally not excercises in restrained and pyscholgically building terror, but they can be great slice-and-dice fun and offer some genuine jump-out-of-the-skin moments. Sleepaway Camp does all these things. If you can get past the bad acting and corny dialogue, the movie is tremendous fun as campers and staff alike get picked off one by one. The movie is only 82 minutes long, so the bad acting & writing don't tax the nerves for too long. The situation is stock and the characters are pure slasher archetypes, but it works.

And the ending- by all that is holy- the ending is one for the ages. Just when you think Sleepaway Camp is an endearingly predictable Friday-the-13th knock-off comes a twist of unprecedented creepiness. And the with a closing shot that shocks the mind and sticks with you after the credits roll and you're safe in bed with the covers tucked up to your chin, Sleepaway Camp crowns its standard-slasher good times with a Freudian nightmare big-reveal that, dare I say, elevates the material?