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TED BUNDY (2001)
aka Bundy
Rating: 
Death Toll: Hard to calculate, as a lot of the killings are montaged together. But the real-life Bundy's own total was 150. So, quite a lot. Cutting Remarks: 'Freeway' director Matthew Bright has his work cut out for him, in transferring the terrible crimes of dead killer Ted Bundy to the screen. Seemingly in a bid to dodge expectations, he has neither made it a gore movie - despite effects man Tom Savini handling the blood - nor a grimly realistic downer, like 'Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer'. 'Bundy' comes on like a comedy at many points during its running time, which is perhaps more disturbing than any of those two other routes Bright could have taken. Michael Reilly Burke portrays Bundy in an almost cartoon-like fashion, gurning at himself in the mirror, shoplifting in the most obvious way - but getting away with it - and popping facial veins as he screws his girlfriend while making her pretend to be dead. Of course, as the killings start, the laughter stops. The murders are presented in a brutal fashion, with the minimum of graphic detail - just enough to get the point across of how sick Bundy was. The cartoon-esque nature of the movie begs the question of exactly how Bundy got away with what he did, as it takes a ludicrously long time before the police finally throw him behind bars. As Bright himself noted at London's Lupo Frightfest event, it's hardly a spoiler to say that Bundy was executed - and the director seems to be enjoying himself come the ending. In particular, the scene in which Bundy has cotton wool forcefully shoved up his backside, pre-electric chair, goes on for a while. Not the kind of movie you actually enjoy watching, 'Bundy' is nevertheless a disturbingly twisted ride. Most Memorable Demise: The truly grim scene in a shack, in which a tied-up girl looks on as Bundy rapes and crushes the head of another victim. Look Out For: Tom Savini in a cameo role as a police interviewer. And an interview with director Bright, here. Killer Quote: "They're wayyyy dead!" - While standing at a party, Ted offers his opinion about a string of missing girls mentioned on the radio. DVD Extras: None. Release Date: Out now. [Check it out at Amazon UK] [Reviews Menu] |