”The second prize is death’
Fatal Gamesis a 1983 American slasher horror film directed by Michael Elliott (co-writer of To Kill a Stranger) from a screenplay co-written with co-producers Rafael Buñuel and Christopher Mankiewicz. Also released as Olympic Nightmare and The Killing Touch (its original title).
The movie stars Sally Kirkland(Gnaw; Trash Fire; Jack the Reaper; The Haunted (1991), Lynn Banashek, Sean Masterson, Michael O’Leary, Teal Roberts, Spice Williams-Crosby(em>Death Valley (TV series); The Dead Undead; Revamped), Melissa Prophet, Angela Bennett, Nicholas Love, Lauretta Murphy, Michael Elliot, Christopher Mankiewicz, Ed Call, Mel Klein, Linnea Quigley. Fellow scream queen Brinke Stevens has an uncredited role in a shower scene.
Filmed asThe Killing Touch in 1983 and released direct-to-video in 1984.
Plot:
A seven member gymnastics team at the Falcon Academy of Athletics is up for the “Nationals”. However, before they can reach the competition, a killer dressed in a black tracksuit and wielding ajavelinshows up to stalk and kill each member of the team…
Our review:
Despite an overly familiar plot, shoddy production values, poor acting, and a lack of the gore that slasher fans normally expect, Fatal Games compensates somewhat with extensive nudity and a certain quirkiness that makes it mildly endearing. As in many Italian gialli murder mysteries, the ridiculous killer’s reveal also adds to its cheesy entertainment value. It is certainly more watchable than some slasher fare that arrived late in the first wave of ’80s slashers.
Ade Smith, MOVIES & MANIA
Book reviews:
“The darkened halls of the school are just plain creepy and nearly the whole movie is like this […] Fatal Games is one of the better school slasher films from the 80s, but has sadly been highly forgotten by time […] It has a certain unique quality to it that really sets it apart from many of the similar films of the era.” Ronnie Angel, Slashed Dreams book
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“An awful slasher flick in the hands of total incompetents […] The most ridiculous scene has the javelin jerkola lurking underwater while a beautiful swimmer passes above him – an obvious homage to the Black Lagoon Creature. The incoherent script was speared to death…” John Stanley, Creature Features book
“The acting is terrible and the editing is clumsy and amateurish. Fans of Linnea Quigley and Brinke Stevens will probably appreciate their brief shower scenes but that’s about it. The ending is laughable.” Jim Harper, Legacy of Blood
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Trailer:
Free to watch on YouTube [1080p]:
Cast and characters:
Sally Kirklandas Diane Paine – Gnaw; Trash Fire; Jack the Reaper; The Haunted (1991)
Lynn Banashek as Annie
Sean Mastersonas Phil Dandridge
Michael O’Learyas Frank Agee
Teal Roberts as Lynn Fox
Spice Williams-Crosbyas Coach Drew – Death Valley (TV series); The Dead Undead; Revamped
Melissa Prophet as Nancy Wilson
Angela Bennett as Sue Allen Baines
Nicholas Love as Joe Ward
Lauretta Murphy as Shelly
Michael Elliot as Doctor Jordine
Christopher Mankiewicz as Coach Jack Webber
Ed Call as Mr Burger
Mel Klein as Annie’s Father
Linnea Quigley as Athlete
Brinke Stevens as Shower Girl [uncredited]
Filming locations:
University High School – West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Release:
The film was released in America in 1984 by Impact Films, and was subsequently released onVHSbyMedia Home Entertainmentas both its original title and the alternate title,Olympic Nightmare.
Film Facts:
The film shares many plot points with the 1981 slasher film, Graduation Day. Actress Linnea Quigley appears in both films as a replacement for an actress who refused to appear nude on screen.
The synth score was provided by Suki Levy (Dawn of the Mummy) who has gone on to provide soundtracks for 130 TV shows and sell 14 million albums worldwide.
Co-producer and co-scripter Raphael Bunuel is the son of Spanish surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel.
Co-producer and co-scripter Christopher Mankiewicz is the son of celebrated filmmaker Joseph L. Mankiewicz.
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