Starring: Marilyn Chambers, Frank Moore, Joe Silver, Howard Ryshpan, Patricia Gage Directed By: David Cronenberg Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, Special Edition, NTSC Label: Somerville House Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: June 01, 2004 Running Time: 91 minutes Theatrical Release Date: April 08, 1977
In Memory of Marilyn Chambers, Star of "Rabid" I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Marilyn Chambers. I will always remember her excellent performance in David Cronenberg's science fiction horror classic "Rabid." If only she had starred in more horror films of the same caliber. Marilyn would've made an excellent scream queen. She reminds me of Jamie Lee Curtis. Both young women had that wholesome, pure girl-next-door look. The type of girl you'd love to ask to your senior prom or take on a motorcycle ride through the countryside.
Rose (Marilyn Chambers) is badly burned in a motorcycle accident. She is rushed to the nearby Keloid Institute where she undergoes experimental skin grafts. Unfortunately, as in many of Cronenberg's films ("Shivers," "The Brood," "Scanners," and "The Fly"), the treatment has dangerous side effects; Rose experiences a mutation. In her armpit, she develops a needle-like protuberance. She awakens from a coma with an insatiable thirst for blood and commences seducing and attacking men around her, inflicting them with a Rabies-like virus. The incubation period is short and soon these men become crazed lunatics, foaming at the mouth and biting anyone near them. The virus spreads like wild fire and all of Montreal is in danger of becoming rabid.
"Rabid" has a very suspenseful, terrifying plot. It belongs in the same genre as the end-of-the-world films where a mutating virus threatens to destroy all of mankind as in the classic "Omega Man" and the modern "27 Days Later." It does not have the look and feel of a low budget film. There is a lot of violence, the type you would find in a zombie film such as "Dawn of the Dead." There is mass hysteria on the subways and at the malls as people are attacked and bitten. Soldiers shoot those who have been infected. At the end, soldiers in white decontamination suits are seen gathering up the dead. Like many of the horror films in the seventies, "Rabid" does not have a happy, cheerful ending. It is rather bleak and disturbing.
I must praise Somerville House for releasing an excellent DVD package of "Rabid." It is presented in a crisp, clear widescreen format with excellent audio. There is an interesting, informative interview with Cronenberg who explains how he came to cast Marilyn Chambers despite critics complaining that his first film, "Shivers," was pornographic. Her filmography is also provided on the DVD. Despite all of her other films, I will always remember Marilyn as the star of "Rabid."
Rabid Classic David Cronenberg film. Anyone who hasn't seen this one needs to get on it. Shows what a visonary he was back then and still is.
Rabid Early Cronenberg work holds up after 32 years and still delivers the goods. Highly recommended.
movies have come a long way. Just skip this one. It's not worth it. This is one where nostalgia gets mixed with opinion, IMO.
Early Cronenberg This is Cronenberg's 2nd proper movie. Baring that in mind, together with the limitations of the budget for a film of this nature made in Canada in the 1970's its actually a lot better than you might expect.
Yes some of the acting is a little wooden, and the special effects look very primitive now, but in fact watch this and then think about 28 Days/Weeks Later made roughly 30 years later and you begin to see a film that was way ahead of its time.
What also separates this film from most mainstream Hollywood horror movies made these days is its downbeat nature. Of course the grim reality of a viral infection spreading through the population is classic Cronenberg material.
In the UK you can pick this DVD up very cheap if you hunt around now. The limited extras on the UK region 2 version include production notes by film critic Kim Newman and an introduction by Cronenberg.
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