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Serial killers, mass murderers, spree killers, outlaws, and real-life homicidal maniacs have long held a grim fascination for both filmmakers and viewers. Since the 1970s, hundreds of films and television movies have been made covering killers from Charles Manson to Ted Bundy and the Zodiac Killer creating a uniquely morbid sub-genre within horror and thrillers.
This collection of interviews sheds light on 17 filmmakers and screenwriters who tackled this controversial subject while attempting to explore the warped world of infamous killers. The interviews include John McNaughton (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), Tom Hanson (The Zodiac Killer), David Wickes (Jack the Ripper), Chris Gerolmo (Citizen X), Chuck Parello (The Hillside Stranglers), David Jacobson (Dahmer) and Clive Saunders on his ill-fated experience directing Gacy. Offering candid insights into the creative process behind these movies, the interviews also show the pitfalls and moral controversy the filmmakers had to wrestle with to bring their visions to the screen.
List of contents
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Foreword by Stephen Johnston
Introduction
¿1.¿The Zodiac Killer: An Interview with Director Tom Hanson (with Scott Hanson)
¿2.¿Swastika and Mad Dog Morgan: An Interview with Director Philippe Mora
¿3.¿The Black Panther: An Interview with Ian Merrick
¿4.¿Angst: A Conversation Between Director Gerald Kargl and Marcus Stiglegger
¿5.¿Manson Family Movies: An Interview with Director John Aes-Nihil
¿6.¿Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer: An Interview with Director John McNaughton
¿7.¿Jack the Ripper: An Interview with Director David Wickes
¿8.¿Citizen X: An Interview with Director Chris Gerolmo (with Johanna Edwards)
¿9.¿Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Part II, Ed Gein and The Hillside Strangler: An Interview with Director Chuck Parello
10.¿Dahmer: An Interview with Director David Jacobson
11.¿Gacy: An Interview with Director Clive Saunders
12.¿Ann Rule Presents: The Stranger Beside Me: An Interview with Director Paul Shapiro
13.¿Starkweather: An Interview with Director Byron Werner
14.¿Killer Scripts: An Interview with Screenwriter Stephen Johnston
15.¿Gacy and Freeway Killer: An Interview with Screenwriter David Birke
16.¿Jack the Ripper (2016): An Interview with Director Sebastian Niemann
17.¿Joel: An Interview with Director John R. Hand
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Matthew Edwards is a primary school teacher and freelance writer from Cirencester, England. He is the author or editor of numerous books on world cinema.
