As a seasoned film enthusiast who’s spent countless hours delving into the darkest corners of celluloid history, I must say that the 1971 film “The Zodiac Killer” is not one for the faint-hearted or the casual horror fan. The movie, which was released during the height of the real-life terror, seems more like an exploitative attempt to cash in on public fear than a genuine effort at horror storytelling.
Numerous motivations drive individuals towards becoming filmmakers. For certain people, it’s their burning creative urge to narrate stories they feel only they can; for others, it serves as a way to earn money and build a reputation. In some cases, though, films are produced for peculiar reasons, and during the 1970s, one director adopted an unusual method in producing and marketing his low-budget horror flick.
Horror certainly never shies away from controversial subjects, but one man tackled one of the most sensational true crime cases of the ’60s in The Zodiac Killer and used it as a means to try to lure in the infamous true-crime figure. Was it a marketing ploy or was it genuine? That is difficult to say, but we will explore the sensational story behind Tom Hanson’s The Zodiac Killer, including how he tried to trap the murdered at the screenings of his movie.
The Zodiac Killer Plot and Inspiration
Centering its story around the infamous Zodiac Killer, who operated in the San Francisco area during the late 1960s, Tom Hanson’s The Zodiac Killer explores the figure through two separate chapters. The first follows a disgruntled truck driver named Grover, who, in the throes of a mental breakdown, ends up taking his daughter hostage after losing her in a custody battle. Inspired by the news of the Zodiac Killer, Grover claims himself to be the infamous figure, leading to a deadly showdown with police, highlighting the social effect of the case. The second chapter follows what is supposed to be the actual Zodiac killer, a postal worker who worships Satan and goes on a killing spree following the news of Grover’s death.
As a true cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: “One day, Atlantis will return! In the role of the Super Zodiac, I declare such an absurdity on the set of ‘The Zodiac Killer’.
The film debuted in 1971, just a few years following what is believed to be the peak activity period of the real Zodiac Killer, between December 1968 and October 1969. Despite never being identified, the Zodiac Killer has become an infamous character in true-crime lore due to his claimed 37 victims (though it’s speculated there could be more). He confounded police with his coded messages that he used to torment them. The case has been extensively explored in various books, podcasts, and films, such as David Fincher’s lesser-known crime thriller “Zodiac.” It remains unsolved, still captivating armchair detectives years later.
How Filmmaker Tom Hanson Tried to Catch a Killer
Before embarking on his cinematic journey, Tom Hanson ran a chain of “Pizza Man” restaurants and utilized the earnings to finance the production of his movie. His initial experience in filmmaking was with the biker film titled “A Ton of Grass Goes to Pot“. Collaborating with writers Ray Cantrell and Manny Cardoza, all three ventured into making other low-budget exploitation films. However, none of these projects achieved the success that The Zodiac Killer did.
During the film’s debut at San Francisco’s RKO Golden Gate Theater on April 7, 1971, Hanson devised a strategy to potentially capture the Zodiac Killer. He was confident that his ego would entice the killer into attending the screening. To attract a large audience, he raffled off a Kawasaki motorcycle and asked everyone present an open-ended question: “I believe the Zodiac kills because…” This question was to be answered in writing.
In this scenario, a sizable team was examining the paperwork, with the aim that they might discover a similarity in handwriting to the real serial killer. Meanwhile, hired enforcers were on standby to capture him. This tactic was employed for numerous screenings, and at one such event, Tom Hanson thought he had nabbed the culprit; however, upon confrontation, the suspect was freed due to insufficient proof.
It’s challenging to determine Tom Hanson’s genuine intentions behind this approach, as it seems that catching the criminal might have been just a stepping stone towards his filmmaking career. The controversial nature of the film, which was released while the crimes were still ongoing, and its intense portrayal of the subject matter suggests a lack of sincerity. Using shocking tactics to attract audiences wasn’t an innovative strategy; it dated back to groundbreaking films like “Mom and Dad,” which skirted censorship rules by exploiting loopholes, all the way to the master of gimmicks, William Castle, who employed tactics such as using buzzers under seats and terrifying ushers to create a frightening experience for moviegoers.
Should You Watch The Zodiac Killer?
To put it simply, for those who prefer mainstream horror, the film version of The Zodiac Killer may not be appealing due to its grittier and exploitative nature, which aligns more with exploitation cinema rather than traditional horror. The movie’s portrayal of the subject matter is questionable, particularly in how it handles women, while its violent scenes are overly prolonged and glorified. Additionally, the acting is subpar, the production quality is poor, and there’s a lack of depth in the storyline.
Still, The Zodiac Killer has found an audience with those who celebrate the low-budget side of cinema, with AGFA (America Genre Film Association) in association with Something Weird Video (two purveyors of oddball, outsider, and cult cinema) remastering it for Blu-ray release in 2017. Those familiar with the work of both companies will know what they are getting into if they have not already seen The Zodiac Killer; low-budget sleaze will always have its charms for a specific audience. Conversely, those interested in an oddball piece of film history may find appeal in checking it out. You can stream The Zodiac Killer onScreambox, Cultpix, or Tubi.
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2024-09-21 22:35