Dr. Warick discovered a miraculous drug that might cure certain types of madness, but found that there was a dreadful side effect. 20 years later, he is locked away in a straitjacket and dru... Read allDr. Warick discovered a miraculous drug that might cure certain types of madness, but found that there was a dreadful side effect. 20 years later, he is locked away in a straitjacket and drug makers want to release the drug to the public.Dr. Warick discovered a miraculous drug that might cure certain types of madness, but found that there was a dreadful side effect. 20 years later, he is locked away in a straitjacket and drug makers want to release the drug to the public.
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John Webster
- Harris
- (as Terry Aaron)
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Where do I start with this one? There is no doubt that this is one of the worst pieces of trash I have ever seen. No, I'm not saying that because I disliked it a little and I'm definitely not exaggerating. This is on my list of top 5 worst films I have ever seen. The production values are absolutely TERRIBLE on the Region 1 DVD. I had my speakers on full volume and could barely make out what was going on. It was so full of static that it made me wonder if there was something wrong with my television. The visual aspect of the film is awful as well. It looks as though it was filmed on a Viewmaster.
It's hard to comment on other aspects of the movie like acting, simply because it's difficult to get past the disgraceful audio/visual quality. The storyline, however, is so convoluted and ridiculous that my head began to spin. If you can understand what's going on, or care enough to know what's going on, then you deserve a medal.
I see several 10/10 rated reviews and I can't help but think we're being duped. There is absolutely NO way that this film can be rated that high. I respect others' opinions, but these people MUST be associated with the film in one way or another.
It's utterly disgusting that trash like this gets released. People, such as myself, rent or buy stuff like this expecting a decent film and end up with a $20 frisbee. Stop releasing garbage like this! It's a disgrace to the horror genre and its fans. We should use films like these to torture Osama bin Laden if we ever find him.
It's hard to comment on other aspects of the movie like acting, simply because it's difficult to get past the disgraceful audio/visual quality. The storyline, however, is so convoluted and ridiculous that my head began to spin. If you can understand what's going on, or care enough to know what's going on, then you deserve a medal.
I see several 10/10 rated reviews and I can't help but think we're being duped. There is absolutely NO way that this film can be rated that high. I respect others' opinions, but these people MUST be associated with the film in one way or another.
It's utterly disgusting that trash like this gets released. People, such as myself, rent or buy stuff like this expecting a decent film and end up with a $20 frisbee. Stop releasing garbage like this! It's a disgrace to the horror genre and its fans. We should use films like these to torture Osama bin Laden if we ever find him.
Sanitarium has shaken my cinematic beliefs. I once thought that Nymphoid Barbarian in Dinosaur Hell was the single worst film ever made. Now, i'm not so sure. What seems like quite a good idea for a plot, soon descends into needlessly complex twists, and just complete craziness. And not in a good way. Filmed in what looks like an old school, and using what looks like a £200 digi-cam, and edited on what looks like I-movie, the quality of the film leaves a lot to be desired. And that's putting it nicely. Presumably the budget didn't stretch to a microphone, as the entire thing seems to be dubbed over, making everyone's voice exactly the same volume, despite their location on screen. If this wasn't amusing enough, a lot of the blood appears to have been bizarrely animated by computer. All of this could be forgiven though, if the acting was any good.
The acting. Oh yes. i'm not sure if the cast consists of friends/family/general bystanders, but it ranks amongst the worst EVER. The acting in my friend's media coursework was far superior. The actors read in monotone, and with little change in pitch or tone, even the expression of the most simple of emotions seems beyond them. Maybe this is due to the voice-overs, but who knows. One highlight is the use of swearing, randomly placed around the script, making it 'gritty' (presumably). Max is the best, 'FFFUCK!' he pulls of with incredible emphasis, yet a monotone voice. Surely an achievement to be proud of.
The casting of the Uri Geller was totally pointless. He adds nothing, can't act, and just his being in the film immediately raises hilarious expectations. Though, much to my disappointment, he fails to bend any spoons or even natter on about how brilliant his mate Michael Jackson is.
This film is disastrous, the clunky, electric keyboard soundtrack compliments the woeful attempts at something serious. If the idea of a fat man dancing around balloons strikes you as scary, than this is for you. If you can believe someone requiring a tiny pocket torch to walk through a perfectly lit hospital corridor, than you'll like this. If you find the site of Uri Geller in a horror film neither amusing or cringingly embarrassing, then you'll get something out of this film. But I for one couldn't, so it's straight into the bin with you Sanitarium!
The acting. Oh yes. i'm not sure if the cast consists of friends/family/general bystanders, but it ranks amongst the worst EVER. The acting in my friend's media coursework was far superior. The actors read in monotone, and with little change in pitch or tone, even the expression of the most simple of emotions seems beyond them. Maybe this is due to the voice-overs, but who knows. One highlight is the use of swearing, randomly placed around the script, making it 'gritty' (presumably). Max is the best, 'FFFUCK!' he pulls of with incredible emphasis, yet a monotone voice. Surely an achievement to be proud of.
The casting of the Uri Geller was totally pointless. He adds nothing, can't act, and just his being in the film immediately raises hilarious expectations. Though, much to my disappointment, he fails to bend any spoons or even natter on about how brilliant his mate Michael Jackson is.
This film is disastrous, the clunky, electric keyboard soundtrack compliments the woeful attempts at something serious. If the idea of a fat man dancing around balloons strikes you as scary, than this is for you. If you can believe someone requiring a tiny pocket torch to walk through a perfectly lit hospital corridor, than you'll like this. If you find the site of Uri Geller in a horror film neither amusing or cringingly embarrassing, then you'll get something out of this film. But I for one couldn't, so it's straight into the bin with you Sanitarium!
Goodness where do i start. Should i first mention this film's absolute inability to be coherent or maybe i should lament upon some truly awful wooden acting(especially Uri Geller's 'star' turn). Did i mention that the special effects are so side splittingly ridiculous that for a minute i seriously considered that this film might have been mislabelled and was actually intending to be a comedy? The basic plot is an unoriginal tale of strange goings on in an asylum, a new drug is being tested out and its introduction has coincided with a few gruesome(and gratuitously paraded)deaths. The faults that i have already referred to, along with some truly awful dubbing and a complete lack of a set budget(they must have spent the money on Geller's fee)destroy what little chance this film did have of creating any sort of atmosphere.
Save your money and leave this one for geeky medical students or hermits who would have no idea what a good film was if it slapped them in the face
Save your money and leave this one for geeky medical students or hermits who would have no idea what a good film was if it slapped them in the face
Whoa! This movie was bad. I can't believe how the DVD box in my local video store totally contradicted the actual movie itself. However, I won't claim false advertising. I was a sucker and blew about $2.00 Canadian to rent this thing. $2.00 that could have gone towards something far more useful, like bent paper clips or defective elastic bands. DO NOT BE TEMPTED BY THE MOVIE BOX. THIS IS A TERRIBLE FILM. The acting is wooden, the audio is worse. You really do not care what happens to the characters. It has already been mentioned that the idea was good, but it was not done right. I agree. The people who made this film did have a good idea and could have done a lot more with it.
Ok horror flick that has some good ideas. It's a little short on production budget though and some of the acting does suck but by in large the film kept you going with some intersting ideas, a good score and occasionally gory effects. 6 out of 10
Did you know
- TriviaUri Geller's scenes were added after the film was completed because it was felt that the film was too complicated and some kind of explanation was needed.
- GoofsIts a common goof, but however small always breaks the film "spell". One of the mourners makes the classic mistake of looking directly at the camera, just after the punch up at the wake, but the real beauty of it is that it's as if she forgot they were filming (so "into" the role), and was surprised to see a camera in the room, check out the double take at the camera, then swift realisation of her GOOF and aversion of the eyes away! Luckily the tall baldy chap is acting so well most people miss this goof.
- Alternate versionsOriginally released as "Diagnosis", the film was shortened and retitled Sanitarium for the US release. A special edition was released in the UK featuring additional gore and action sequences.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Darkhunters (2004)
- SoundtracksBurnt Toast and Hangovers
Written by Roberts & Buttery
Performed by Chief Wooden-head
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $10,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 26 minutes
- Color
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