"The Zodiac Killer" is a gritty, low-budget, semidocumentary account of the notorious serial killer who terrorized California in the 1960s and who was never apprehended. The film introduces us to two archetypal "angry white men": the shy, sexually repressed postman (this before "disgrunted postal worker" became a catch phrase) and a balding, bitter, misogynistic truck driver locked in a nasty custody dispute with his ex. While not particularly well made, the film holds the viewer's interest and manages to create some suspense. Like many B movies it sheds light on aspects of the human condition too often ignored by Hollywood A movies. For once we have a film where everyone isn't good-looking, and we have a maniac who preys on both men and women instead of just going after hot chicks. Of course much of it is fictional or at least highly speculative, since we still don't know the killer's identity. "The Zodiac Killer" is available from Something Weird Video as part of its "Sharpshooter Triple Feature" along with "The Sex Killer" and "Zero In and Scream," two highly entertaining sexploitation films that compare favorably with a lot of the stuff Hollywood makes these days.
29 Reviews
"Atlantis shall rise again!"
utgard1416 October 2016
No-budget creeper about the real-life Zodiac killer who stalked California in the late '60s. It's got some grit, I'll give it that, but it's all just so cheap, slow, and dull that I couldn't enjoy it. The "acting" is terrible and the picture quality reminds me of the opening to The Wonder Years. There are some moments of unintended comedy, which I usually recommend in a movie's favor when all else fails, but this is such a chore to get through that I don't think there are enough of those moments to justify it. If you're really into the Zodiac case or if you like to try any and all horror cheapies, then give it a look. Otherwise don't bother.
Feels like an extended episode of Dragnet
Zbigniew_Krycsiwiki9 October 2016
"The motion picture you are about to see was conceived in June 1970. Its goal is not to win commercial awards but to create an "awareness of a present danger", Zodiac is based on known facts. If some of the scenes, dialogue, and letters seem strange and unreal, remember - they happened. My life was threatened on October 28, 1970 by Zodiac. His victims have received no warnings. They were unsuspecting people like you ---
Paul Avery. Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle"
That opening text has apparently been omitted from some versions of this largely fictional account of the Zodiac killer's reign of terror in the late 1960s, filmed on no budget, seemingly no screenplay, and people who just simply happened to be standing nearby.
Some obviously forgot their lines and stuttered through the scene. Why were those scenes not re-filmed? Also, during an early scene in a diner, two guys (real customer, perhaps?) walking up to the front (glass) door as though they were about to walk in, but then stop, as though a crew member might have stopped them and said something like, "Don't go in there yet. We're not done filming." There is a black guy, who answers a ringing payphone, appeared to be a random passerby, unaware he was even being filmed.
The couple killed at the lake had a simultaneously creepy (what with the way the killer almost casually walked up to them, clad in full executioner's clothes) and silly (because of its amateurishness) feel. Probably the film's most memorable scene.
May be worth checking out, for unintentional laughs, and for a look at the first(?) film about the Zodiac, just don't expect it to be fact- based.
Paul Avery. Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle"
That opening text has apparently been omitted from some versions of this largely fictional account of the Zodiac killer's reign of terror in the late 1960s, filmed on no budget, seemingly no screenplay, and people who just simply happened to be standing nearby.
Some obviously forgot their lines and stuttered through the scene. Why were those scenes not re-filmed? Also, during an early scene in a diner, two guys (real customer, perhaps?) walking up to the front (glass) door as though they were about to walk in, but then stop, as though a crew member might have stopped them and said something like, "Don't go in there yet. We're not done filming." There is a black guy, who answers a ringing payphone, appeared to be a random passerby, unaware he was even being filmed.
The couple killed at the lake had a simultaneously creepy (what with the way the killer almost casually walked up to them, clad in full executioner's clothes) and silly (because of its amateurishness) feel. Probably the film's most memorable scene.
May be worth checking out, for unintentional laughs, and for a look at the first(?) film about the Zodiac, just don't expect it to be fact- based.
Ultra low budget, but creepily authentic at times
gortx30 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It's a very odd concoction. Part recreation of a real event, part wild conjecture and part darkly humorous proto-slasher flick. When the movie sticks with the then known facts of the case, it has a certain grungy realism that makes it more believable than similar scenes in Fincher's superb 2007 film ZODIAC. As well-produced as the Fincher film is, the immediacy of shooting ZODIAC KILLER so close to the actual events gives it an authenticity it otherwise wouldn't earn with its haphazard filmmaking.
But, ZODIAC KILLER is a very strangely structured film. What I describe above is really only a small portion of the movie. Most of it is given over to an imagined scenario about a disturbed and cultist mailman (Jerry) who turns out to be the Zodiac. For good measure, a decent amount of the relatively short running time (87 mins) is given over to red herring. Hal Reed may not have been the most seasoned actor, but, he gives off a creepy vibe that chills as Jerry. Unfortunately, the movie gets torpedoed by a laughable last third that goes off the rails with absurd 'added killings' to the Zodiac's resume. They have a certain black comedy factor, but, get ridiculous by the end.
In the end this is mostly a curio for those interested in the Zodiac killer story, as well as early 70s grindhouse film fans.
The new restoration is a collaboration between AGFA and Something Weird. it's very much a period 35mm print. Colors are a bit variable, and there's a good amount of wear and yes, those reel change holes are huge! But, overall, this is a very good transfer and restoration of a rare title. And, considering the source material - it's a terrific job all around.
P.S. In-depth interview with Director Tom Hanson from the great site TEMPLE OF SCHLOCK where he talks about hoping to ensnare the real Zodiac Killer with this film!!
But, ZODIAC KILLER is a very strangely structured film. What I describe above is really only a small portion of the movie. Most of it is given over to an imagined scenario about a disturbed and cultist mailman (Jerry) who turns out to be the Zodiac. For good measure, a decent amount of the relatively short running time (87 mins) is given over to red herring. Hal Reed may not have been the most seasoned actor, but, he gives off a creepy vibe that chills as Jerry. Unfortunately, the movie gets torpedoed by a laughable last third that goes off the rails with absurd 'added killings' to the Zodiac's resume. They have a certain black comedy factor, but, get ridiculous by the end.
In the end this is mostly a curio for those interested in the Zodiac killer story, as well as early 70s grindhouse film fans.
The new restoration is a collaboration between AGFA and Something Weird. it's very much a period 35mm print. Colors are a bit variable, and there's a good amount of wear and yes, those reel change holes are huge! But, overall, this is a very good transfer and restoration of a rare title. And, considering the source material - it's a terrific job all around.
P.S. In-depth interview with Director Tom Hanson from the great site TEMPLE OF SCHLOCK where he talks about hoping to ensnare the real Zodiac Killer with this film!!
Beyond the Movie
wasthere26 July 2005
Knowing the Producer and some cast members, you all likely did not know the main reason the Movie was made was to try and catch the Zodiak. There was a whole lot going on behind the scenes to scheme a plan where the Zodiak would come to see a Movie about himself. If he came, and was discovered, eventually arrested, The Movie Caught the Killer. So despite the poor reviews,what a thrill it would have been! Had a Movie caught a Killer, more folks would see it. Leading to more Movie productions. There could have been a Movie made about the methods developed to "catch" The Zodiak. Would you go see a film which led to the arrest of a Killer?
"It's madness. It's total madness!"...
latherzap21 January 2003
Warning: Spoilers
...words said by the newspaper editor who receives the Zodiac's first letter, spoken in a bad-acting style appropriate for this movie. SPOILERS, I guess.
Bad film loosely based on the true Zodiac killings. At first we get a red herring in the form of an overacting bald guy (he abruptly gets angry when the subject of his wife comes up, "She's no good! She's no good, I tell ya!"). But it turns out the neighborhood postman is Zodiac. Zode owns many rabbits, and when one of them dies he tearfully says "Why are evil people allowed to live, when innocent rabbits like Leo must die!". Later in the local diner somebody talks about eating rabbit stew, and a frustrated and sad Zodiac pipes up that "nobody should eat rabbits". The rabbit subplot comes across as rather comical.
Anyway, the killing continues. There is a scene where Zodiac is sitting at a campfire with a woman he just met. She has a guitar, and Zodiac asks her to play a specific song. He cuts her off and says, no, he wants to hear the end of the song when some character dies. So she sings a brief and non-gruesome line like "I've been shot, and now must die"- and Zodiac smiles and starts laughing. It's supposed to be disturbing but is actually kinda funny. This guy is apparently so excited at the mere mention of death, it reminded me of how Beavis and Butt-Head would giggle and manage to find sexual innuendo in just about every word in the dictionary.
Zodiac continues his dull rampage throughout the rest of the movie. At the end he is walking free in the city, as his sneering voice-over says something like "cops can't search me without a warrant, and if they don't read me my rights I get off free!". It's the kind of dialogue that's calculated to anger people who fall for politicians that talk about getting tough on crime, the sort of cliche thing a criminal would say in a Death Wish movie before Bronson blows him away.
Not a hilarious film, but it does provide a few chuckles. Other things to watch for: 1. The lifeless acting of the teen couple in the VW bus near the beginning. 2. The little boy in the park who runs from Zodiac and obnoxiously grumbles "I don't like him". 3. Watch the end credits closely and you'll notice the producers give their thanks to the "San Francisco Cronical".
Bad film loosely based on the true Zodiac killings. At first we get a red herring in the form of an overacting bald guy (he abruptly gets angry when the subject of his wife comes up, "She's no good! She's no good, I tell ya!"). But it turns out the neighborhood postman is Zodiac. Zode owns many rabbits, and when one of them dies he tearfully says "Why are evil people allowed to live, when innocent rabbits like Leo must die!". Later in the local diner somebody talks about eating rabbit stew, and a frustrated and sad Zodiac pipes up that "nobody should eat rabbits". The rabbit subplot comes across as rather comical.
Anyway, the killing continues. There is a scene where Zodiac is sitting at a campfire with a woman he just met. She has a guitar, and Zodiac asks her to play a specific song. He cuts her off and says, no, he wants to hear the end of the song when some character dies. So she sings a brief and non-gruesome line like "I've been shot, and now must die"- and Zodiac smiles and starts laughing. It's supposed to be disturbing but is actually kinda funny. This guy is apparently so excited at the mere mention of death, it reminded me of how Beavis and Butt-Head would giggle and manage to find sexual innuendo in just about every word in the dictionary.
Zodiac continues his dull rampage throughout the rest of the movie. At the end he is walking free in the city, as his sneering voice-over says something like "cops can't search me without a warrant, and if they don't read me my rights I get off free!". It's the kind of dialogue that's calculated to anger people who fall for politicians that talk about getting tough on crime, the sort of cliche thing a criminal would say in a Death Wish movie before Bronson blows him away.
Not a hilarious film, but it does provide a few chuckles. Other things to watch for: 1. The lifeless acting of the teen couple in the VW bus near the beginning. 2. The little boy in the park who runs from Zodiac and obnoxiously grumbles "I don't like him". 3. Watch the end credits closely and you'll notice the producers give their thanks to the "San Francisco Cronical".
Silly, misogynistic and dull
preppy-325 May 2007
Fictional account of the killer in California who murdered various men and women from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. In this he's a nice guy named Jerry (Hal Reed). He's a nice man, kind to animals and sweet to women. Still he goes out and kills people for no discernible reason--they suggest it has something to do with his dad.
In reality the Zodiac didn't kill that many people. This movie has recreations of the real killings and adds about eight more! With the exception of one gruesome stabbing the killings here are ineptly staged and (quite obviously) fake.
There's also a subplot with a friend of Jerry's named Grover. The subplot ends halfway through the movie--and has NOTHING to do with anything else! It's all too obvious padding--and boring padding at that! There's also tons of misogynistic comments, terrible dialogue, low production values and unsure direction. This gets a 2 only for Reed who wasn't half bad. Still you can safely skip this one.
In reality the Zodiac didn't kill that many people. This movie has recreations of the real killings and adds about eight more! With the exception of one gruesome stabbing the killings here are ineptly staged and (quite obviously) fake.
There's also a subplot with a friend of Jerry's named Grover. The subplot ends halfway through the movie--and has NOTHING to do with anything else! It's all too obvious padding--and boring padding at that! There's also tons of misogynistic comments, terrible dialogue, low production values and unsure direction. This gets a 2 only for Reed who wasn't half bad. Still you can safely skip this one.
He can be a co-worker or the quite guy who lives next door
sol121827 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
(Minor Spoilers) Very likely the very first of a series of Zodiac movies that stated when the real life Zodiac Killer hit the headlines back in the winter of 1968. This endless string of Zodiac killings has captivated the imagination of both the public as well as the law enforcement agencies all over the country for almost 40 years with the killer, if he's alive, still at large.
Were given two, not one, possible Zodiac Killers at the start of the film "The Zodiac Killer" with frustrated truck driver Grover and introverted post office mail carries Terry. Both persons have very serious personal problems in dealing with people. Grover is sensitive about his job as a truck driver as well as him being bald and wearing a very obvious wig when he goes to bars to pick up women which, in his mind, is the reason he has trouble making it with them. Grover doesn't seem to realize that it's really his attitude towards women looking at them as pieces of meat which is the reason that he turns them off on him.
Grover is also very resentfully at his ex-wife Helen for keeping him from seeing his daughter because of his unfitness of being a father; besides everything else he's also a drug and alcohol abuser. That eventually leads Grover to break into his ex-wife's home and after holding off the police, holding his daughter as a hostage, is gunned down and killed off in the movie.
It's then when were introduced to the real, in the movie that is, Zodiac Killer Terry the Mailman who's a strict vegetarian and loves animals having about a dozen pet rabbits that he keeps in cages in his apartment. It's only too bad that Terry doesn't have the same humanitarian feelings for his fellow man and woman as well.
Terry is a strange sort of nut in that almost all of the murders that he commits in the movie are totally unrelated to each other and for the most part are that of persons who have nothing but affection towards him. Besides murdering a number of couples making out in cars and in the woods Terry also murders two frail and elderly women, in the most shocking and bloodcurdling scenes in the movie, for no other reason then them having their cars break down! In those two murders Terry seems to get more turned on in murdering these two senior citizens then any of the young and pretty women that he murders in the movie!
After murdering some dozen victims Terry just fades into the woodwork, like a termite, as he disappears into the mass of humanity of the city of San Francisco. Were given some insight to Terry's mindset at the very end of the movie but it's a little too late for his already long list of victims. Terry were given to believe has been suffering from extreme mental trauma because of his father being committed to a mental institution; does Terry feel that his fathers mental illness is hereditary? And is that the real reason for his unstable and murderous actions throughout the movie?
Better then you would expect from a bargain basement triple movie DVD "The Zodiac Killer" doesn't drag at all keeping your attention despite a number of unconnected scenes involving Terry's fascination with this reincarnation and blood-cult, that he's the only member of, that also believes in the lost Continent of Atlantis.
When the movie sticks to the Zodiac Killer angle it's doesn't let it' audience down. But when it strays into uncharted territory like the Atlanits murder cult and Terry's many super closeup, that take up the entire screen for long stretches at a time, it not only become boring but very annoying as well. The most interesting and shocking thing that the film "The Zodiac Killer" brings out is that a person like Terry, personable soft-spoken and dependable, can be someone that you've known all your life but in reality, with the secret and murderous double life that he leads, never really knew at all.
Were given two, not one, possible Zodiac Killers at the start of the film "The Zodiac Killer" with frustrated truck driver Grover and introverted post office mail carries Terry. Both persons have very serious personal problems in dealing with people. Grover is sensitive about his job as a truck driver as well as him being bald and wearing a very obvious wig when he goes to bars to pick up women which, in his mind, is the reason he has trouble making it with them. Grover doesn't seem to realize that it's really his attitude towards women looking at them as pieces of meat which is the reason that he turns them off on him.
Grover is also very resentfully at his ex-wife Helen for keeping him from seeing his daughter because of his unfitness of being a father; besides everything else he's also a drug and alcohol abuser. That eventually leads Grover to break into his ex-wife's home and after holding off the police, holding his daughter as a hostage, is gunned down and killed off in the movie.
It's then when were introduced to the real, in the movie that is, Zodiac Killer Terry the Mailman who's a strict vegetarian and loves animals having about a dozen pet rabbits that he keeps in cages in his apartment. It's only too bad that Terry doesn't have the same humanitarian feelings for his fellow man and woman as well.
Terry is a strange sort of nut in that almost all of the murders that he commits in the movie are totally unrelated to each other and for the most part are that of persons who have nothing but affection towards him. Besides murdering a number of couples making out in cars and in the woods Terry also murders two frail and elderly women, in the most shocking and bloodcurdling scenes in the movie, for no other reason then them having their cars break down! In those two murders Terry seems to get more turned on in murdering these two senior citizens then any of the young and pretty women that he murders in the movie!
After murdering some dozen victims Terry just fades into the woodwork, like a termite, as he disappears into the mass of humanity of the city of San Francisco. Were given some insight to Terry's mindset at the very end of the movie but it's a little too late for his already long list of victims. Terry were given to believe has been suffering from extreme mental trauma because of his father being committed to a mental institution; does Terry feel that his fathers mental illness is hereditary? And is that the real reason for his unstable and murderous actions throughout the movie?
Better then you would expect from a bargain basement triple movie DVD "The Zodiac Killer" doesn't drag at all keeping your attention despite a number of unconnected scenes involving Terry's fascination with this reincarnation and blood-cult, that he's the only member of, that also believes in the lost Continent of Atlantis.
When the movie sticks to the Zodiac Killer angle it's doesn't let it' audience down. But when it strays into uncharted territory like the Atlanits murder cult and Terry's many super closeup, that take up the entire screen for long stretches at a time, it not only become boring but very annoying as well. The most interesting and shocking thing that the film "The Zodiac Killer" brings out is that a person like Terry, personable soft-spoken and dependable, can be someone that you've known all your life but in reality, with the secret and murderous double life that he leads, never really knew at all.
Barely Holds One's Attention
wilburscott14 December 2004
Mean-spirited and brutal film is mainly a fictionalization of the events that happened when the Zodiac killer raised hell in California back in the late 60's-early 70's. Our chipper killer (who resembles a young Merle Haggard) goes around raising hell. When he's not braining women with car hoods or spare tires, he's knifing couples or worshiping his altar where he believes the spirits of all the people he killed will be his slaves in the afterlife! Wow, is this guy one nutty dude! Gotta love the Doodles Weaver cameo, too, and how he likes his women "plump and dumb". Everyone knows some filthy old man like that, don't they? Obviously made by people who were not too hip to film-making, the film is shoddy and poorly shot, but the sheer outrageousness of the situations is good for one look at least.
Unintentionally funny and frequently creepy
blackxmas19 February 2001
Wow. This is a keeper. Loosely based on the Zodiac's reign of terror, this laugh-out-loud horror-thriller fully satisfies the right type of viewer. While the acting is the source for most of the hilarity, there are scenes that actually provide some surreal, creepy moments. That's sometimes hard for filmmakers on $1.05 budget. This holds up to repeated viewings and never fails to entertain. What we need is a new film about the Zodiac killings, probably some of the most interesting, yet sadly, unsolved crimes of the last century. This release from Academy is misspelled as THE ZODIAK KILLER, so take that in consideration when looking for around for it.
Zodiac Grindhouse.
morrison-dylan-fan13 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Looking online for DVD's to pick up in the run up to Halloween,I decided to check what releases from DVD company Something Weird were around. Having heard about the company putting out this film ages ago,I was pleased to find it at a good price,leading me to discover that this is Zodiac.
View on the film:
Taking the grime off the street and into the Grindhouse as the real Zodiac was still active, director Tom Hanson circles a grubby atmosphere, as the illegal filming in outdoor locations gives the title a fittingly murky atmosphere, with Hanson being surprisingly restrained on skin being shown, but smashing the camera into quick-fire zoom-ins on Zodiac's latest attack.
Opening the case with a introduction written for the film by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Paul Avery, the screenplay by Manny Cardoza & Ray Cantrell note down the real murders of Zodiac,which they quickly depart from for dry proto-Slasher vile,which along with unmasking the killer in a tension-free mystery,also add additional murders to the real killings of the Zodiac.
View on the film:
Taking the grime off the street and into the Grindhouse as the real Zodiac was still active, director Tom Hanson circles a grubby atmosphere, as the illegal filming in outdoor locations gives the title a fittingly murky atmosphere, with Hanson being surprisingly restrained on skin being shown, but smashing the camera into quick-fire zoom-ins on Zodiac's latest attack.
Opening the case with a introduction written for the film by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Paul Avery, the screenplay by Manny Cardoza & Ray Cantrell note down the real murders of Zodiac,which they quickly depart from for dry proto-Slasher vile,which along with unmasking the killer in a tension-free mystery,also add additional murders to the real killings of the Zodiac.
Sordid, but effective
Woodyanders6 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
A deranged serial killer terrorizes San Francisco and writes letters to local newspapers about his evil exploits. Tom Hanson's basic direction, the gritty urban locations, the seamy tone, several startling moments of ugly and brutal violence (the sequence with an amorous young couple being attacked and murdered by a lake packs a truly jolting punch), a mean-spirited misogynistic streak, the rough cinematography by Robert Birchall and Wilson S. Hong, the hit-or-miss acting, the psycho's freaky ranting monologues, the grim fact that the story is based on scary real-life events, and a chilling open ending all give this movie a certain super seedy quality that paradoxically enough makes it that much more creepy and unnerving rather than less so. Hal Reed really sinks his teeth into his juicy role as meek, yet unhinged mailman Jerry. Doodles Weaver has a funny bit part as dirty old man neighbor Doc. Worth a watch for true crime aficionados.
Doodles Weaver as the neighbor
bugsmoran2918 August 2016
I must admit I had to laugh out loud when Doodles Weaver, a long-time comic actor, appeared in a small part as the Zodiac Killer's next door neighbor.Doodles was a holdover from the Fifties' Golden Age of Television and he had the funniest lines in this movie. Some of the murder scenes were rather intense and I felt that movie held my attention. The Zodiac in this movie had no real m.o for the police to follow and this perhaps explains why he was never captured in real life. I found it interesting that the murderer in this movie carried around his disguises (wig, fake glasses with a plastic nose and, most noticeably, a black executioner outfit. The attack of the young couple is very graphic and still quite powerful after all of these years. If you're interested in the real-life Zodiac case, you'll need to take this movie with a grain of salt!
An interesting piece of Zodiac history
emint12924 July 2017
Directed by Tom Hanson, who had previously owned a chain of Pizza Man restaurants, THE ZODIAC KILLER was made to capture the real- life Zodiac Killer. That plan didn't work. Instead, we got the most outrageous and compelling "tabloid horror" vortex in the history of planet Earth. And beyond. During theatrical screenings, Hanson constructed in- theater "traps" to lure the killer from hiding. These included the use of an ice cream freezer filled with rent-a-cops and a raffle with a motorcycle as a prize. You won't get insight like this by watching a David Fincher movie. But you will get it while watching THE ZODIAC KILLER.
Read the fascinating true story behind the film here: http://zodiactruecrime.ew.com
Read the fascinating true story behind the film here: http://zodiactruecrime.ew.com
A Movie To Catch a Killer
Michael_Elliott25 November 2006
The Zodiac Killer (1971)
** (out of 4)
San Francisco finds itself under attack due to a string of murders where people are shot for no apparent reason. The film introduces us to a "what if" scenario as we meet several people who may or may not be the serial killer.
It's important to remember that when THE ZODIAC KILLER was released, the city itself was still under terror from the real thing. Obviously this has exploitation written all over it but one might be shocked that director Tom Hanson doesn't go over-the-top with the sleaze and instead it tries to take a serious approach on the subject. On the whole this isn't the best movie ever made but it features enough to make it worth viewing for fans of the genre.
What I enjoy most about the film is that it perfectly captures the time that it is set. There have been a lot of movies that tackled the subject but this here is the only one that takes place where the crimes happened. There's a surreal nature to the film that works extremely well and I thought the atmosphere was quite good. You really do feel as if you're watching a documentary on the real Zodiac because of how good the setting is. The film also benefits from some memorable death scenes. None of them, with the exception of a knife attack, are all that graphic but at the same time they are memorable.
With that said, there are some major flaws throughout the picture. The biggest is the fact that the film really drags at 85-minutes. The pacing of the movie is quite poor and it just drags to the point where you'll be wanting to scream for them to speed things up. The performances are also rather poor to say the least and some of the dialogue is even worse. One could also argue that the film doesn't have the greatest of stories but at the same time you have to give them credit for making a film in hopes of catching a real killer!
** (out of 4)
San Francisco finds itself under attack due to a string of murders where people are shot for no apparent reason. The film introduces us to a "what if" scenario as we meet several people who may or may not be the serial killer.
It's important to remember that when THE ZODIAC KILLER was released, the city itself was still under terror from the real thing. Obviously this has exploitation written all over it but one might be shocked that director Tom Hanson doesn't go over-the-top with the sleaze and instead it tries to take a serious approach on the subject. On the whole this isn't the best movie ever made but it features enough to make it worth viewing for fans of the genre.
What I enjoy most about the film is that it perfectly captures the time that it is set. There have been a lot of movies that tackled the subject but this here is the only one that takes place where the crimes happened. There's a surreal nature to the film that works extremely well and I thought the atmosphere was quite good. You really do feel as if you're watching a documentary on the real Zodiac because of how good the setting is. The film also benefits from some memorable death scenes. None of them, with the exception of a knife attack, are all that graphic but at the same time they are memorable.
With that said, there are some major flaws throughout the picture. The biggest is the fact that the film really drags at 85-minutes. The pacing of the movie is quite poor and it just drags to the point where you'll be wanting to scream for them to speed things up. The performances are also rather poor to say the least and some of the dialogue is even worse. One could also argue that the film doesn't have the greatest of stories but at the same time you have to give them credit for making a film in hopes of catching a real killer!
good for connoisseurs of films like this
RanchoTuVu3 May 2017
A cheapo expose on the Zodiac murders that occurred in the San Francisco Bay area in 1968 and 1969 that benefits from its year of release in 1971, not too far removed, the stringent budget which lends the project a degree of authenticity, as well as the focus on who the film portrays as the killer, a postal clerk who loves rabbits, and buries one that died near a cross, in a strikingly bizarre scene. Compared with the film that came out in 2007, this one stands up pretty well, especially for connoisseurs of films like this, no-budget but an eye for creativity. It made it on to the TCM Underground films, a wise decision by the program director.
This is a review made by us
syabino17 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Very interesting that this film shows the theory of the Zodiac Killer's life while the 2007 Zodiac film shows a cartoonist and a group of police officers trying to solve the case. I believe the 2007 Zodiac film was more accurate and better than this film. This film also shows how the Zodiac Killer might have gotten away with his crimes. The 2007 Zodiac film explains how Arthur Leigh Allen was possibly the Zodiac Killer. After I was done hearing all the stories of Jack the Ripper I decided to do research on the Zodiac Killer. In my opinion the 2001 Jack the Ripper horror film "From Hell" was better than this film and the 2007 Zodiac film.
"Well, now you know I exist. What are you going to do about it?"
Hey_Sweden20 February 2016
This low, low budget thriller attempts to seriously cast a light on the reality of serial killers in our society, purporting to be "based on the facts". It soon came in the wake of the real life Zodiac murders that plagued San Francisco in the late 1960s. While obviously it's not nearly as polished or as well known as "Dirty Harry", it is a genuinely interesting curio. This viewer actually thought that the acting wasn't that bad; in fact, it's better than one might ordinarily find in such B level fare.
At first, we follow the day to day activities of two guys: harried mailman Jerry (Hal Reed, "The Doberman Gang") and volatile truck driver Grover (Bob Jones). Jerry comes across as a nice enough, polite enough man to others, while Bob likes to impress women by creating a false identity of a successful businessman. While the characters are somewhat entertaining to watch, they're just not as intriguing as the murder spree that will soon begin in earnest. While the killer will be taunting the authorities and the media with calls and letters, two frustrated detectives, Sgt. Pittman (Ray Lynch) and Officer Heller (Tom Pittman) will try to work the case.
The raw, gritty approach is a plus, although "The Zodiac Killer" might not be trashy or exploitative enough for some viewer tastes. Location shooting is decent; there's sufficient violence and a little bit of gore. At times screenwriters Ray Cantrell and Manny Cardoza and director Tom Hanson create some humour with the material. We see our ego-driven, confident maniac (who's identified sooner in the movie than one might expect) actually kill one woman with her own trunk hood, and another with her own spare tire.
While there's nothing really special here, this makes for some mildly amusing entertainment for seekers of obscure curiosities.
Six out of 10.
At first, we follow the day to day activities of two guys: harried mailman Jerry (Hal Reed, "The Doberman Gang") and volatile truck driver Grover (Bob Jones). Jerry comes across as a nice enough, polite enough man to others, while Bob likes to impress women by creating a false identity of a successful businessman. While the characters are somewhat entertaining to watch, they're just not as intriguing as the murder spree that will soon begin in earnest. While the killer will be taunting the authorities and the media with calls and letters, two frustrated detectives, Sgt. Pittman (Ray Lynch) and Officer Heller (Tom Pittman) will try to work the case.
The raw, gritty approach is a plus, although "The Zodiac Killer" might not be trashy or exploitative enough for some viewer tastes. Location shooting is decent; there's sufficient violence and a little bit of gore. At times screenwriters Ray Cantrell and Manny Cardoza and director Tom Hanson create some humour with the material. We see our ego-driven, confident maniac (who's identified sooner in the movie than one might expect) actually kill one woman with her own trunk hood, and another with her own spare tire.
While there's nothing really special here, this makes for some mildly amusing entertainment for seekers of obscure curiosities.
Six out of 10.
Cheesy and cheap
ehoshaw15 April 2001
This 1971 horror/crime film is really low-budget. The acting is bad and the direction is flat. It doesn't really shed any new insight into the Zodiac case. It basically is just 86 minutes of people getting shot, stabbed, sliced, beaten, and killed in a a variety of bloody ways. Pretty much all the names of the victims have been changed and we know who the killer is early on, and it basically just follows him as he claims his victims. It is pretty boring, has bad music, and lots of cheesy 70s fashions (I just love the part with that guy's wig at the beginning, haha!). The scene with the sunbathers getting stabbed to death in the woods is creepy and bloody, but everything else is laughable. "The Zodiak Killer" is a cheap, low-budget effort that some may like and others may despise.
Pretty decent low budget exploitation flick
samdivin-4233111 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Zodiac killer follows Jerry (Hal Reed), a mailman who seems to be a nice guy when in public, however when he is in his basement worshiping Satan we see a different side to him. Grover (Bob Jones) is a playboy wannabe truck driver who is divorce. His controlling ex- wife does not allow him to see their daughter. This angers Grover who pulls a gun oh his wife and takes his daughter hostage. This leads to Grover being shot to death by the police. After that we pretty much just follow Jerry (aka The Zodiac) around as he kills multiple people with weapons such as car hoods, a spare tire, a pistol and others. It's pretty cool, although sometimes laughable. The story behind this film is quite intriguing. Director Tom Hansen made the film in an attempt to catch the real Zodiac Killer by having the audience fill out cards with the question "why do you think the Zodiac kills?" Allegedly Hansen ran into the real killer in the theater bathroom. Don't go into this expecting Taxi Driver or Henry: portrait of a serial killer. If you choose to view it, I advise you watch it for what it is a corny exploration classic which has one thing going for it. It could be Me or You or our neighbors. Are you Zodiac???
Works Great as Exploitation
gavin694219 April 2017
The San Francisco area is beset by a series of seemingly random murders without motive or pattern. The police are taunted by phone calls and letters. Could the maniac be the violent truck driver, or the seemingly mild-mannered mailman, or even a cop?
This film has come to be known largely for its historical value. Allegedly, producer-director Tom Hanson made the film not so much to try and make a good movie so much as he wanted to call attention to the killer. His plan was to screen the film in San Francisco and assume the real killer was vain enough to attend. The screening indeed happened, but if the killer attended no one knows.
The quality of the film is not particularly good. The sound in particular is rather choppy. In retrospect, some have said the quality was never the point, it was merely intended as a trap. Even if that is true, let us not dwell on the poor quality. Besides the sound, the picture is no worse than the films of Herschell Gordon Lewis. In fact, in many cases it is better and the acting is far better than a Lewis film. Appropriately, "Zodiac Killer" had been released by Something Weird Video, the home of many Lewis films, for the DVD.
And now, Something Weird has partnered with the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) to bring a Blu-ray to the masses! We get a new 4K scan from the only surviving 16mm blow-up elements. There is a commentary track with Tom Hanson and Manny Nedwick, as well as interviews with Hanson and Nedwick. Liner notes and director Tom Hanson interview by Chris Poggiali. And even a bonus movie, the rarely-seen "Another Son of Sam" (1977) with a new 2K scan from a 35mm theatrical print.
Arguably, "Zodiac Killer" did not need a 4K scan. When you are dealing with a film of this quality, whether the scan is 2K, 4K or anything else probably makes little difference. But that nitpick aside, this is definitely a cult film that should be seen. It has all the elements of exploitation that genre fans love, and it is about time it gets a wider audience. Senseless murder? Yes. A mailman being harassed by a nosy older lady? Yes. A real tragedy exploited for a film? Yes.
This film has come to be known largely for its historical value. Allegedly, producer-director Tom Hanson made the film not so much to try and make a good movie so much as he wanted to call attention to the killer. His plan was to screen the film in San Francisco and assume the real killer was vain enough to attend. The screening indeed happened, but if the killer attended no one knows.
The quality of the film is not particularly good. The sound in particular is rather choppy. In retrospect, some have said the quality was never the point, it was merely intended as a trap. Even if that is true, let us not dwell on the poor quality. Besides the sound, the picture is no worse than the films of Herschell Gordon Lewis. In fact, in many cases it is better and the acting is far better than a Lewis film. Appropriately, "Zodiac Killer" had been released by Something Weird Video, the home of many Lewis films, for the DVD.
And now, Something Weird has partnered with the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) to bring a Blu-ray to the masses! We get a new 4K scan from the only surviving 16mm blow-up elements. There is a commentary track with Tom Hanson and Manny Nedwick, as well as interviews with Hanson and Nedwick. Liner notes and director Tom Hanson interview by Chris Poggiali. And even a bonus movie, the rarely-seen "Another Son of Sam" (1977) with a new 2K scan from a 35mm theatrical print.
Arguably, "Zodiac Killer" did not need a 4K scan. When you are dealing with a film of this quality, whether the scan is 2K, 4K or anything else probably makes little difference. But that nitpick aside, this is definitely a cult film that should be seen. It has all the elements of exploitation that genre fans love, and it is about time it gets a wider audience. Senseless murder? Yes. A mailman being harassed by a nosy older lady? Yes. A real tragedy exploited for a film? Yes.
Sleazy proto-slasher, less interesting than its intended raison-dêtre
EyeAskance30 June 2007
A slapdash indie production made to cash in on, and potentially aid in the capture of the still-unidentified "Zodiac" killer who paralyzed the San Francisco Bay Area with fear for two years. In this illusory concoction, the killer's identity is no mystery, as we are introduced to him formally as a seemingly mild-mannered mail carrier who loves his pet guinea pigs, and occasionally worships at a chintzy Satanic altar in his apartment.
Despite some intermittent unintended chuckles, this film actually imparts a few fairly potent violent murder scenarios. It might actually be worth a look for patient crime thriller and grindhouse horror enthusiasts, with the understanding that it has little foothold in factuality. Additionally, the backstory of its production makes it something of a novelty, as it was hoped that the film might rouse the interest of the killer, potentially leading to his identification and apprehension. Though this plan ultimately failed, I like to think that he did see the film...he'd surely be pretty miffed that his evil reign of terror was reduced to cheesy, low-budget exploitation fodder(*snicker...).
4.5/10.
Despite some intermittent unintended chuckles, this film actually imparts a few fairly potent violent murder scenarios. It might actually be worth a look for patient crime thriller and grindhouse horror enthusiasts, with the understanding that it has little foothold in factuality. Additionally, the backstory of its production makes it something of a novelty, as it was hoped that the film might rouse the interest of the killer, potentially leading to his identification and apprehension. Though this plan ultimately failed, I like to think that he did see the film...he'd surely be pretty miffed that his evil reign of terror was reduced to cheesy, low-budget exploitation fodder(*snicker...).
4.5/10.
Truly Bizarre, Part Film, Part PSA...About A Killer Still On The Loose...
meddlecore22 October 2018
The Zodiac Killer is a speculative fiction about the real life murders undertaken by the serial killer known as Zodiac, in and around the San Francisco area during the 1960s and 70s.
It was conceived and released in 1971 by journalist Paul Avery- after he had received the infamous "peek-a-boo" halloween card from the Zodiac.
It's shot sort of like PSA-oriented docudrama, warning people that the killer is still out there...and could be anybody...even someone you know.
And it's laden with misogyny.
They develop a number of characters- all with gripes concerning women- seemingly to suggest that anyone exhibiting such aggressive traits could potentially be the responsible for the spate of murders that had been occurring over the past number of years there.
However, they then make the killer a subdued feminist minded vegetarian; whose frustrated, mainly, because he seeks acceptance from his criminally insane father, who all but ignores him.
There's a comic interlude woven in about two thirds the way through, when- in an act of desperation- the investigators visit a psychic charlatan, who gives them all the wrong information.
It all ends with the question, "Now that you know that I exist, what are you gonna do about it?".
(Keep in mind that Zodiac was still out there and active at the time this film was released)
A cheesey, low budget, yet highly entertaining film.
5.5 out of 10.
It was conceived and released in 1971 by journalist Paul Avery- after he had received the infamous "peek-a-boo" halloween card from the Zodiac.
It's shot sort of like PSA-oriented docudrama, warning people that the killer is still out there...and could be anybody...even someone you know.
And it's laden with misogyny.
They develop a number of characters- all with gripes concerning women- seemingly to suggest that anyone exhibiting such aggressive traits could potentially be the responsible for the spate of murders that had been occurring over the past number of years there.
However, they then make the killer a subdued feminist minded vegetarian; whose frustrated, mainly, because he seeks acceptance from his criminally insane father, who all but ignores him.
There's a comic interlude woven in about two thirds the way through, when- in an act of desperation- the investigators visit a psychic charlatan, who gives them all the wrong information.
It all ends with the question, "Now that you know that I exist, what are you gonna do about it?".
(Keep in mind that Zodiac was still out there and active at the time this film was released)
A cheesey, low budget, yet highly entertaining film.
5.5 out of 10.
I rather liked it
christopher-underwood11 May 2022
This is clearly not the superb Fincher later film and yet it is not rubbish. Well it is a bit of a silly one but it is really early on and when the killer was still in the loose. There was some idea that maybe they could get the killer with the film although he also wanted to make money out of the film. He ran a chain of restaurants called Pizza Man. He didn't make any money with the film or catch the killer but it is rather interesting. Otherwise this is a very low budget film with some actors who were just friends and the talking on some voice over or as well just the killer to himself is a good idea and the many killings, a little bit like the actual story, rather sordid and sensational. I guess it is exploitation but it is also a little amusing and a story that keeps going and I rather liked it.
Has some memorable lines.
sifujon8 October 2003
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