This previously banned video nasty is a gnarly, unyielding and gore-stippled horror that stands out amongst the great swathe of psycho thrillers from the time. Thanks to aptly disorientating editing, twisted sound design, ingenious kill scenes, striking gore effects, and a bone-trembling lead performance from Baird Stafford, Nightmares in a Damaged Brain is an unheeded cult b-movie gem that has stood the test of time and should strike a chord enough to resonate with even the most desensitised horror fans.
The story centres on George Tatum (Stafford), a homicidal inmate at a hospital for the criminally insane, who is placed on an experimental drug programme then prematurely released after showing signs of recovery. When a repressed sex murder memory of a mid-coitus beheading resurfaces at a New York peep show, Tatum sets off on a killing spree. Cops and docs try to track him down before Tatum kills again, but the maniac sets his sights on a small town family, which he toys with and eyes for a future demise.
Writer/Director Romano Scavolini’s near-masterwork starts with a blood bath and rarely lets up, but is hindered by a flat supporting cast and midpoint plot sag. However, for the better part, it’s an engrossing gross-out thriller that’s worth seeking out, especially in its newly restored edition that’s been “scanned from the internegative and various foreign print sources to the create the most complete version ever assembled.” This Severin Blu-ray/UHD release also includes deleted scenes, trailers, and interviews with the crew, including Tom Savini, plus audio commentary by producer William Paul and SFX assistant Cleve Hall.
Severin’s NIGHTMARES IN A DAMAGED BRAIN release is available from Feb 26th
