The Driller Killer
| The Driller Killer | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Abel Ferrara |
| Produced by | Rochelle Weisberg |
| Written by | Nicholas St. John |
| Starring |
Jimmy Laine Carolyn Marz Baybi Day Harry Schultz Alan Wynroth |
| Music by | Joseph Delia |
| Cinematography | Ken Kelsch |
| Edited by | Bonnie Constant Michael Constant Orlando Gallini Jimmy Laine |
| Distributed by | Cult Epics |
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Release date
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Running time
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96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Driller Killer is a 1979 black comedy horror film film directed by and starring Abel Ferrara, Carolyn Marz, Baybi Day, and Harry Schultz. The plot concerns Reno Miller, a struggling artist in New York City, turning insane from stress and killing derelicts with a power drill.
The film was infamous for being on the list of "video nasties" in the United Kingdom, resulting the film banned from 1984 (due to new censorship laws) until 1999, when a cut version was approved for an 18 (years of age) certificate. The full uncut version was finally passed by the BBFC in November 2002. On 10 June 2010 it was re-released as video on demand (VOD).
Artist Reno Miller (Abel Ferrara) and his girlfriend Carol enter a Catholic church, where he approaches an elderly bearded man (revealed as Reno's estranged derelict fater) kneeling at the pulpit. The derelict seizes Reno's hand, causing him and Carol to flee from the church, unknown to him that the derelict contained a paper with Reno's information and requested a meeting with him. Reno denies knowing who the derelict was.
Later, at his apartment, Reno receives a large Con-Ed electrcity bill, the phone bill and cannot pay his rent. He shares an apartment with Carol, a former flight attendant, and her drug-addicted lover Pamela, in a derelict-filled neighbourhood in Union Square. Reno visits Dalton, an art gallery owner, and tells him that he is currently painting a masterpiece. Reno asks for a week’s extension and a loan of $500 to cover the rent, however Dalton refuses, saying that he already lent enough money to Reno. However, if Reno finishes a satisfactory painting in one week Dalton will buy it for the necessary amount.
The following day, a No Wave band entitled the Roosters begin practising their music in a nearby apartment, in which the music makes Reno unnerved and frustrated. At 2:00 in the morning, Reno becomes more agitated from the Roosters' music while painting. After seeing his own image saturated in blood, Reno walks in the dark. He sees an elderly derelict sleeping in a garbage-strewn alley, where he takes him down an alley where gang members are seen chasing another bum. Reno drops the bum and vows that he will not end up like a derelict.
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Wikipedia