martin

Martin has been hailed as one of the greatest vampire films of all time, by fans and critics alike. But it really unfolds as more of a serial killer/angry loner movie than a Christopher Lee inspired tale. The films central character is Martin, an extremely confused young man who believes he is a vampire (whether he really is or not is never established, in an excellent example of cinematic thought provoking). He is travelling on an overnight express train to stay with his cousin, Cuda, who lives in Braddock, Pensylvania. Along the way, his vampiric bloodlust becomes too great to control, and he breaks into a young womans sleeper compartment. Martin has none of the traditional vampires supernatural powers, so instead of hypnotising the young woman Bela Lugosi style, he has to use syringes filled with sodium pentothal to knock out his victims. He also lacks fangs, and gets around this by using disposable straight razors to slash his victims wrists so that he can feed. Martin finds the compartment empty,but hears his victim in the bathroom. She soon enters the compartment, and what follows is one of the most disturbing, realistic murder scenes ever committed on celluloid. The woman even angrily calls Martin a 'stupid rapist asshole' as he struggles with her on the bed, desperately trying to stick her with his syringe. He manages to do this, and tells the woman not to worry, that he is always very careful with his needles. This sets the scene for one of the most atmospheric, convincing thrillers ever. Martin has sex with the unconcious woman , slashes her wrist open in an incredibly effective fx sequence( by Tom Savini, who not only handled all of the movies effects, but also starred in it too), and drinks her blood. He then cleans up the compartment, and leaves pills, and razors lying around to give the impression of a suicide. He finally arrives in Braddock, and is met by Cuda. Cuda explains that it is his turn to look after the family curse, and that he will save Martins soul, and then destroy him. He also tells Martin that he must not take one life while he is in Braddock, or he will kill him without salvation.

George Romero has described Martin as a comment on the death of magic in our modern world. Braddock is (cinematically at least) a dying town. We see smokestacks billowing pollution, cars being crushed in a wrecking yard, and the city seems to be almost exclusively populated by the good hearted elderly, who have lost almost all their faith and hope since the local church burned down, or by the absolute dregs of society... the bums, criminals, and adulterers. Any young people with any hopes or aspirations also seem to have left. Even Cudas daughter Christina leaves for a better life in another city with her boyfreind Arthur. The sickness of the dying city is also evident in the popularity of a local radio talkshow. Martin becomes a minor celebrity to others in despair through his talkback calls to the station. The death of magic also leads to cynicism, and the refusal to beleive. Christina refuses to beleive that Martin may be a vampire, even though he is a disturbed individual, and very dangerous.This general disregard for superstition, and tradition in modern society makes it very easy for real-life monsters like Martin, or Ed Kemper, or Ted Bundy, to prey on us. I beleive that Martin is a comment on the fact that the more we evolve as a species, the more vulnerable we become. But maybe I'm looking too deeply into this....one thing's for sure though, this is a great example of what a talented crew can accomplish on no money.