Going to Pieces

Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film is a 2006 documentary adaptation of the book of the same name.  Through a combination of narration, interviews, and film clips, the documentary takes a look at the slasher sub-genre that was so popular in the '80s.

The list of interviewees is impressive, with all of the big names in the genre - John Carpenter (Halloween), Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street), and Sean S. Cunningham (Friday the 13th) - represented.  Also on board are Herb Freed (Graduation Day), Amy Holden Jones (Slumber Party Massacre), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), and John Dunning (My Bloody Valentine).  It's refreshing to see some attention given to slashers not featuring Michael, Jason, and Freddy, especially because the supplements to these films are usually lacking or nonexistent.

Among the most interesting segments is a look at the controversy surrounding the Christmas slasher Silent Night, Deadly Night, which created an uproar thanks to its ads emphasizing a killer dressed as Santa Claus.  Protestors succeeded in getting not only the ads pulled, but the film itself.  Other films up for discussion include The Burning, April Fool's Day, Happy Birthday to Me, The Boogey Man, and The Prowler, which makeup/effects maestro Tom Savini considers his best work.  Countless films aren't discussed in any depth, but featured in clips.  These include Alice Sweet Alice, Terror Train, Student Bodies, and The House on Sorority Row.

Going to Pieces is mainly concerned with Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th, which makes sense, as they are heavy hitters within the genre.  Unfortunately, that means that fans will have heard most of this material elsewhere.  Nor is this documentary really good for new fans of the genre, as the endings to many, many films are spoiled.  These include some of the bigger names, but also many of the lesser-known slashers in which the twist ending was a highlight of the experience.  For some reason, the documentary doesn't identify which films the clips are from, which makes it difficult for viewers who might want to track down potentially interesting slashers.

Some potentially meaty material such as the criticism of the sub-genre is glossed over, while highly influential films are not given their due.  Peeping Tom and Psycho are briefly mentioned, while an interview with Black Christmas director Bob Clark has been relegated to the DVD bonus features.  (These extra interviews are certainly worth checking out, as they also include informative sessions with Psycho screenwriter Joseph Stefano and My Bloody Valentine producer Dunning, among others.)  However, there's plenty of time to discuss Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects, along with Saw and Hostel, not necessarily films that come to mind when one hears the word "slasher."

Though it's flawed, the documentary is well-presented, and it's obvious that those involved truly love slasher films.  Perhaps Going to Pieces is best for lovers of the subgenre who wish to have their appetites whet for revisiting some favorites.