Henry - Portrait of a Serial Killer (20th Anniversary)

This simple low-budget tale chills the heart because the protagonist has none. We are placed inside the mind of a true sociopath, a man with no conscience, no compassion, no mercy, no warmth, no humor. His inability to form the most elementary bonds with others of his species sets him apart from all of us. This film is as important to the genre as "Psycho." It is perhaps the most frightening film I have ever watched in my life.Michael Rooker delivers a commanding performance of evil personified as he was to do once again years later in searing even more terrifying performance as the brutal KKK racist and murderer Frank Bailey in "Mississippi Burning" it remind us that the most terrifying monsters of all aren't created by the magic of movies - they're much more likely to simply be living next door

Well it certainly packed a powerful punch - a horrendous story.

The film has aged a little bit (in my opinion)

Fascinating commentary though - should be viewed with the age of the film in mind

I won't go into detail of how much I love this movie...mainly because of the top-notch acting by Michael Rooker, Tom Towles, and Tracy Arnold. I am writing this to inform everyone of this great 20th anniversary dvd. I already had the dvd, but bought this anniversary edition because I assumed it would include deleted scenes and cast interviews, and that is the case! Not only are all the lead actors interviewed, but others--including the actress who played the wife of the family slaughtered by Henry and Otis. And, fans of this movie MUST see the deleted scenes!! Unfortunately, the audio of the scenes is missing, but the director explains what is going on while the scenes are being shown. As entertaining as these scenes are, you totally understand why the scenes were not included in the final cut. One of them includes a scene after the one where Otis kills the good samaritan who pulls over to help who he thinks are two stranded motorists. The director cuts it because he says it came across as too funny, and seeing the scene with the director explaining what is being said IS hilarious!! Another involves a scene with Henry and Otis after the killing of the prostitutes, and Henry giving Otis his view of the world. Again, I think fans of this film will find these scenes very interesting!

i was a little disappointed after watching this film becaseu of all of the great reviews, but that doesnt mean it was a bad movie because it wasnt what i expeceted Its not nearly as sadistic or cruel as its made out to be but you can still see why people may think that This is a very good movie to show u how a serial killer thinks though so check it out u wont be disappointed if your expecations arnt through the roof

Henry (Michael Rooker) and his buddy Otis (Tom Towles)are roommates and both are maniacs that prowl at night and sometimes would be video taping their own murders for their own enjoyment. Unfortunately Otis's sister Becky (Tom Arnold)has moved in for a little while at their apartment but doesn't know their nightly secrets as she falls for him, but he can't let the truth out or can he?

Powerful, brutal and unique psychological horror drama thriller with excellent performances by Rooker and the bunch, director Jonathan McNaughton here brings us a dark and disturbing look at the mind of a psychopath on the verge of killing. This film is based on actual life murderer Henry Lee Lucas and it's a thought provoking. gory and flat out terrific motion picture! It's not for the faint of heart for when this movie originally was made in 1986 it was slapped with an "X" rating for the subject matter throughout the movie and was held up for 4 years until finally it was released in late 1989 in theaters with no rating but a "No one under 17 will be admitted" warning and earned glowing reviews from critics especially Roger Ebert.

This 2-Disc DVD set has quality picture and sound better then before and has good extras like two featurettes, the theatrical trailer with trailers to other Dark Sky Films releases, audio commentary from the director, still gallery, deleted scenes with commentary, and storyboards. This movie is one of the greatest and most important movies of the horror/crime/thriller genre, it's no mere slasher flick but a dark and gritty psychopath flick with great acting and thoughtful stuff with some truly graphic murder scenes that makes you wanna keep the lights on all night.

Also recommended: "Maniac" ( 1980), "Cannibal Holocaust", "Taxi Driver", "Natural Born Killers", "High Tension", "Cannibal Ferox", "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ( 1974)", "American Psycho", "Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2", "Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III", "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ( 2003)", "I Spit on Your Grave", "Last House on The Left", "Caligula", "Blue Velvet", "Man Bites Dog", "Silent Night Deadly Night", "Halloween", "Leon: The Professional", "The Boondock Saints", "Mother's Day", "Friday The 13th series", "A Nightmare on Elm Street", "Deep Red", "Phenomena", "Se7en", "Silence of the Lambs", "Manhunter", "Red Dragon", "Men Behind The Sun", "Blood Feast", "Fight Club", "Ichi The Killer", "Re-Animator", "Psycho ( 1960)", "Dead Presidents", "House of 1000 Corpses", "The New York Ripper", "Bloodsucking Freaks", "Hostel", "Freddy Vs. Jason", "Terror Train", "Pieces", "The Hills Have Eyes ( 1977 and 2006)", "A Clockwork Orange", "Wrong Turn", "Just Before Dawn", "The Devil's Rejects", "Sleepaway Camp", "One Hour Photo", "Jeepers Creepers", "House on The Edge of the Park", "The Toxic Avenger", "L.A. Confidential", "Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky", "Battle Royale", "May", "The Toolbox Murders (Both 1977 and 2004)", "Fargo", "Reservoir Dogs", "3 Extremes", "From Dusk Till Dawn", "Scream 1 & 2", "The Untold Story", "Lost Highway", "Saw 1 & 2", "Tenebre", "Kill Bill", "The Godfather", "Beyond The Darkness: Buio Omega" and "Sin City".