The Hillside StranglerThe Hillside Strangler - Tartan Films - 2004

What we have here is a fast moving and deranged tale of murder and mayhem. Based on the true story of the Hillside Strangler who terrorized LA during the years of 1978 and 79. What no one knew was that the brutal serial sex killings were the work of two men who were actually cousins, enter Angelo and Kenny.

As I said this film is fast moving and within the first couple of minutes you get an idea of Kenney’s character. Five minutes into the film, Kenny is in LA heading down town with Angelo. It’s the request of his mother that Kenny goes to LA to stay with his cousin, one she must regret on account of the trail of carnage which ensues. Now at ten minutes into the film, believe it or not Angelo and Kenny are 'sandwiching' a live sex performer called Peaches in a back office of some seedy bar.

The film rages on with Angelo and Kenny forcing a couple of girls into working for them, what's more commonly know as 'Pimping'. This goes well for a while until they are turned over by a bigger, badass black pimp for phoning his 'Johns' and touting for business. The pair want revenge so start with the black prostitute who sold them the numbers. At this point, a darker more depraved element becomes apparent in the film with the floodgates being opened on scenes of kidnap, rape, torture and murder. Although the aforementioned scenes are brutal and at times disturbing, thankfully the director holds off from being to sick and graphic and stops the footage before it starts to get to out of hand. Unlike the Bundy film, which this production team were also involved with, I thought the scenes of abuse and murder were a bit over the top as they seemed to be tying to glorify Ted Bundy’s passion for frenzied rapes and brutal murders.

Anyway like I say, The Hillside Strangler a fast moving hell ride which gets darker and more deviant when they 'Take it to another level' as Angelo says. A very well made film, very believable characters/story and some great acting from everyone involved. Not one for the faint hearted and another belter from Tartan. Finally, I'll just quickly mention the scene early on in the film where Kenny smokes pot for the first time is great, with the music and imagery being spot on and the girl with the 'Earth Day' t-shirt dancing to 70’s disco music on the radio is also a sweet scene, I think it captures the free spirit of the time really well, until Angelo joins in that is!

Contributed by: Burnsey on the 21/04/05