Deadly Games Review

3 star remastering of an eighties romantic horror slasher flick.

Deadly Games is written and directed by Scott Mansfield (Imps*) and was originally released in 1982.

It has enjoyed a 2K restoration from the original camera negative and is available on Blu-ray for the first time courtesy of Arrow Video.

“I had this strange feeling that I was being watched. But it was okay. I mean, the night, the woods and then I slowly took off all my clothes.”

The film opens with a sinister figure in black gloves smoking a cigarette and playing a horror board game. Cut to a young woman, Linda (Alexandra Morgan – Spellbinder) arriving at her remote home. She enters a dark room and then, despite feeling that she is being watched, goes outside and seductively removes her blouse and bra.

Unsurprisingly, this being billed as a slasher, she soon ends up dead after plummeting from her window. The next morning sees the arrival of her step-sister Keegan (Jo Anne Harris – Act of Vengeance, Xanadu), a perky and talkative young writer returning home from the city.

Keegan meets local cop Roger (Sam Groom –  Deadly Eyes, Another World) who is at the scene investigating the case and who spends all his time at the local movie theatre with his traumatised war buddy Billy (Steve Railsback – Ed Gein, Helter Skelter) A trip to the local diner reunites her with old friends, Chrissie (Christine Tudor – Final Mission), Carol (Robin Hoff – Pennies From Heaven) and Sooty (Jere Lea Rae – Vega$). We also meet diner owner Joe and his bubbly wife Mary (Denise Galik – Eye of the Tiger, Get Crazy).

As Keegan reintegrates into the town and begins to build relationships, she inevitably draws the attention of the killer.

“Joseph Adams, I am shocked. Are you suggesting an orgy? Do you want me to be in the middle of an enormous flesh sandwich?”

Deadly Games is a very strange film. It gets off to a great start, slasher wise, with a creepy protagonist and some good old fashioned heavy breathing and menace. Following the first murder however, it feels as though everyone concerned forgot it was supposed to be a horror film.

It becomes a tale of borderline soft porn seventies small town carnal shenanigans. People are hopping in and out of bed all over the place, married or not it doesn’t seem to make a difference. They even seem to forget about the killings going on not only under their noses but in their own circle.

There is a twist of a sort, although there are only two possible “baddies” so it’s not that hard to work out. Feeling more seventies than eighties in it’s attitudes, I found this film entertaining to watch, but it certainly doesn’t qualify as a horror film. There’s no place for a romantic montage with accompanying eighties ballad in any self respecting slasher flick. The ending is also a little frustrating, leaving more questions than answers.

Fun and a must own for avid collectors and completionists, but it won’t satisfy if you’re looking for gore or jump scares.

“It must be difficult going through life crotch first.”

Deadly Games is available to buy from 21st February 2022 on Blu-ray and Original Artwork Limited Edition Blu-ray [Exclusive to Arrow Store UK]

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative
• Original uncompressed mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
– Brand new audio commentary with The Hysteria Continues
• Sooty’s a Sh★t – a brand new interview with actor Jere Rae-Mansfield
• Practical Magic – a brand new interview with special effects and stunt co-ordinator John Eggett
• Extensive image gallery featuring never-before-seen production photos and promotional material
• Original Trailer
• Original screenplay under the title Who Fell Asleep [BD-ROM content]
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Ralf Krause

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film historian/author Amanda Reyes