At a camp for exceptional children in the middle of the woods, the kids are treated to a story of murderer Madman Marz. As the story goes, this madman hacked up his entire family and then was captured and hanged by an angry mob. His body disappeared the next morning and legend has it that if you call his name, Madman Marz will come and kill you. After hearing this story, one of the wiseass campers starts calling his name and all hell breaks loose when the madman actually shows up. Sure enough, he starts making mincemeat of the camp counselors despite their best efforts to stay alive.

Considered by some to be a forgotten slasher classic and complete garbage by others, I found myself completely enthralled by Madman. I don't know if it's a classic but it sure is one of the strangest slashers I've ever seen. It's easy to be long-winded about this film, so I apologize in advance.

First off, Gaylen Ross from Dawn of the Dead is awesome as Betsy. She has one of those eerily attractive faces that just screams "Scream Queen" and it's a shame she didn't do more horror flicks. I don't know what to make of the other actors. Their eccentricities are a perfect mask for their inexperience. Joe Giannone knows how to direct these kooky folks around, never giving them a chance to get lost on camera.

The lighting in the movie is perfect. The entire movie takes place either at night or early morning and looks very creepy also thanks to fantastic camera work. Most of the gore effects look very good and the Madman Marz makeup is grotesque (albeit a little stiff). The film is edited tightly enough to keep the pace from dragging so there is enough suspense to go around.

There are reasons why this film is so divided among horror fans. The plot is hokey and contrived. No one seems very concerned that more and more counselors are turning up missing. It's not like we're talking about a cast of thousands here. The camp is staffed by a skeleton crew of about 7 counselors. That's okay because there are only 6 campers. How in the hell does this place stay in business?

The kitschy synth introduction and the stark red and black titles are excellent. Unfortunately, one of the characters starts singing the tale of Madman Marz and during this song the scene is filled with odd premonitory moments full of foreshadowing. If you can make it through this grating (yet blissfully short) sequence, you're a brave soul.

Then there's the hot tub scene. It is this laughable scene where Betsy and T.P. (played by Tony Fish) spent an intimate moment in the hot tub. They almost never make it. This slow motion sequence begins and the two of them are spinning in circles with wanton looks on their faces. I can't imagine what the editor was thinking when putting that one together. It cannot be taken as a serious scene.

The stalking sequences are smooth and full of the token slasher surprises The generous amount of gore and the brief nudity are nice touches to this one but it really is the way Madman is put together that saves it. The director's approach to a convoluted storyline and a tired formula is just so askew that he manages to make an original and definitely memorable film.

So, if you're looking for a sophisticated thriller where every detail has been crafted into a seamless concoction of rationality, then avoid Madman at all costs. If you happen to be an avid fan of the slasher genre or just looking to see one of the great (but very odd) ones, then look past its faults and enjoy. Just remember, if you say the name Madman Marz above a whisper, he'll come for you. That's not a legend. That's a warning.