Thriller - en grym film
Encyclopedia
Thriller – A Cruel Picture is a 1973 Swedish exploitation film
in the "rape and revenge
" genre written and directed by Bo Arne Vibenius
under the name "Alex Fridolinski". It tells the story of a mute young woman who is being forced into heroin addiction for which she has to work as a prostitute, and her revenge on the men responsible.
The film was marketed as the first film ever to be completely banned in Sweden, although the one that actually was first was Victor Sjöström
's The Gardener
from 1912. It has received a cult following and was one of the inspirations behind Quentin Tarantino
's Kill Bill
, specifically the character of Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah
).
In Daniel Ekeroth's book on Swedish exploitation movies, Swedish Sensationsfilms: A Clandestine History of Sex, Thrillers, and Kicker Cinema
, it is revealed that the producers took out a huge life insurance policy on star Christina Lindberg
, as real ammunition was used in the action sequences, and that she was asked to inject saline solution during the drug scenes.
), who is sexually assaulted during her childhood and the trauma makes her mute. When she becomes older, she accepts a ride from a man, Tony (Heinz Hopf
), who makes her a heroin addict, and then becomes her pimp
. At one point, she is stabbed in the eye (a scene for which the director, to much controversy, used an actual cadaver
) for refusing a client. She starts saving up money to buy weapons and take classes in driving, shooting, and martial arts to finally take revenge.
Vibenius himself appears in a short scene, as a food vendor.
released two versions of Thriller on DVD.
Thriller: They Call Her One-Eye (Vengeance Edition): This edition, released on August 30, 2005, contains all of the action scenes that were cut from the original theatrical cut. This version is more accessible, however, it contains scanty bonus material (a theatrical trailer) and an exclusive essay in the liner notes. Widescreen, spoken languages Swedish and English, with available English subtitles. Running time is 104 minutes.
Thriller – A Cruel Picture – (Limited Edition): This edition of Thriller, released on September 28, 2004, contains the film in its entirety, as well as all of the violence that was cut from the original version. Bonus Features include two trailers, THRILLER: A CRUEL LAB MISTAKE, which documents a lab accident that cost the director two days worth of footage, a photo gallery of Christina Lindberg posing nude during the shooting of Thriller, as well as a look at the entire film in 40 seconds. Widescreen, Spoken languages English and Swedish, with available English subtitles. Running time is 107 minutes.
, claiming they did not have the rights to the film. Synapse produced legal documentation to show that they had acquired the assets to the company that held Thriller as one of its properties, and thus owned the film for the remainder of the original contracted period.
Exploitation film
Exploitation film is a type of film that is promoted by "exploiting" often lurid subject matter. The term "exploitation" is common in film marketing, used for all types of films to mean promotion or advertising. These films then need something to exploit, such as a big star, special effects, sex,...
in the "rape and revenge
Rape and revenge films
Rape and revenge films are a subgenre of exploitation film that was particularly popular in the 1970s. Rape/revenge movies generally follow the same three act structure:...
" genre written and directed by Bo Arne Vibenius
Bo Arne Vibenius
Bo Arne Vibenius is a Swedish film director, most famous for his exploitation classics Breaking Point and Thriller – A Cruel Picture...
under the name "Alex Fridolinski". It tells the story of a mute young woman who is being forced into heroin addiction for which she has to work as a prostitute, and her revenge on the men responsible.
The film was marketed as the first film ever to be completely banned in Sweden, although the one that actually was first was Victor Sjöström
Victor Sjöström
Victor Sjöström was a Swedish actor, screenwriter, and film director.- Biography:Born in Silbodal, in the Värmland region of Sweden, he was only a year old when his father, Olof Adolf Sjöström, moved the family to Brooklyn, New York. His mother died when he was seven years old in 1886...
's The Gardener
The Gardener (film)
The Gardener is a 1912 Swedish silent drama film directed by Victor Sjöström. It is mostly known for being the first film to ever be banned by the Swedish censor system. It was long thought to have been lost, but in 1979 a copy was found in an archive in the United States...
from 1912. It has received a cult following and was one of the inspirations behind Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
's Kill Bill
Kill Bill
Kill Bill Volume 1 is a 2003 action thriller film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It is the first of two volumes that were theatrically released several months apart, the second volume being Kill Bill Volume 2....
, specifically the character of Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah
Daryl Hannah
Daryl Christine Hannah is an American film actress. After making her screen debut in 1978, Hannah starred in a number of Hollywood films throughout the 1980s, notably Blade Runner, Splash, Wall Street and Roxanne and Kill Bill.-Early life:Hannah was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Susan...
).
In Daniel Ekeroth's book on Swedish exploitation movies, Swedish Sensationsfilms: A Clandestine History of Sex, Thrillers, and Kicker Cinema
Swedish Sensationsfilms: A Clandestine History of Sex, Thrillers, and Kicker Cinema
Swedish Sensationsfilms: A Clandestine History of Sex, Thrillers, and Kicker Cinema is a book by Daniel Ekeroth. The book details the history of alternative Swedish cinema, the so called sensationsfilm...
, it is revealed that the producers took out a huge life insurance policy on star Christina Lindberg
Christina Lindberg
Britt Christina Marinette Lindberg is a Swedish journalist known internationally for her work as an actress and glamour model in the late 1960s and early 1970s.-Biography:...
, as real ammunition was used in the action sequences, and that she was asked to inject saline solution during the drug scenes.
Plot
The story is about a quiet girl, Frigga/Madeleine (Christina LindbergChristina Lindberg
Britt Christina Marinette Lindberg is a Swedish journalist known internationally for her work as an actress and glamour model in the late 1960s and early 1970s.-Biography:...
), who is sexually assaulted during her childhood and the trauma makes her mute. When she becomes older, she accepts a ride from a man, Tony (Heinz Hopf
Heinz Hopf (actor)
Heinz Hopf was a Swedish actor.He was born in Stockholm but moved to Lund where he studied at Lund University. He later became a regular actor at the Dramaten theater in Stockholm. Internationally, he is best known for playing the pimp in Thriller - en grym film .Heinz Hopf died from throat cancer...
), who makes her a heroin addict, and then becomes her pimp
Pimp
A pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
. At one point, she is stabbed in the eye (a scene for which the director, to much controversy, used an actual cadaver
Cadaver
A cadaver is a dead human body.Cadaver may also refer to:* Cadaver tomb, tomb featuring an effigy in the form of a decomposing body* Cadaver , a video game* cadaver A command-line WebDAV client for Unix....
) for refusing a client. She starts saving up money to buy weapons and take classes in driving, shooting, and martial arts to finally take revenge.
Cast
- Christina LindbergChristina LindbergBritt Christina Marinette Lindberg is a Swedish journalist known internationally for her work as an actress and glamour model in the late 1960s and early 1970s.-Biography:...
as Frigga/Madeleine - Heinz HopfHeinz Hopf (actor)Heinz Hopf was a Swedish actor.He was born in Stockholm but moved to Lund where he studied at Lund University. He later became a regular actor at the Dramaten theater in Stockholm. Internationally, he is best known for playing the pimp in Thriller - en grym film .Heinz Hopf died from throat cancer...
as Tony - Despina Tomazani as the lesbian girl
- Per-Axel AroseniusPer-Axel AroseniusPer Axel Daniel Rank Arosenius was a Swedish actor of mostly supporting parts. His most prominent film role was that of Soviet defector Boris Kusenov in Alfred Hitchcock's 1969 film Topaz....
as Madeleine's father - Solveig Andersson as Sally
- Björn Kristiansson as the addict
- Marie-Louise Mannervall as woman in village
- Hildur Lindberg as woman in village
- Marshall McDonagh as karate teacher
- Pamela Pethö-Galantai as Madeleine as a child
- Hans-Eric Stenborg as sex buyer
- Stig Ström as sex buyer
- Gunnel Wadner as Madeleine's mother
Vibenius himself appears in a short scene, as a food vendor.
Release
The original running time was 107 minutes. After being banned by the Swedish film censorship board, it was cut down to 104 minutes and then 86 minutes, but still banned. It was finally released after being cut down to 82 minutes. In the United States it had also been cut to 82 minutes.Home media
In 2004 and 2005, Synapse FilmsSynapse Films
Synapse Films is a DVD/Blu-ray label owned and operated by Don May, Jr. and his business partners Jerry Chandler and Charles Fiedler. The company specializes in cult horror, science fiction, and exploitation films....
released two versions of Thriller on DVD.
Thriller: They Call Her One-Eye (Vengeance Edition): This edition, released on August 30, 2005, contains all of the action scenes that were cut from the original theatrical cut. This version is more accessible, however, it contains scanty bonus material (a theatrical trailer) and an exclusive essay in the liner notes. Widescreen, spoken languages Swedish and English, with available English subtitles. Running time is 104 minutes.
Thriller – A Cruel Picture – (Limited Edition): This edition of Thriller, released on September 28, 2004, contains the film in its entirety, as well as all of the violence that was cut from the original version. Bonus Features include two trailers, THRILLER: A CRUEL LAB MISTAKE, which documents a lab accident that cost the director two days worth of footage, a photo gallery of Christina Lindberg posing nude during the shooting of Thriller, as well as a look at the entire film in 40 seconds. Widescreen, Spoken languages English and Swedish, with available English subtitles. Running time is 107 minutes.
Controversy
Vibenius directed the film under the pseudonym Alex Fridolinski. In the marketing materials the two names share credit for story. He later attempted to prevent Thriller from being released on DVD by bringing a lawsuit against Synapse FilmsSynapse Films
Synapse Films is a DVD/Blu-ray label owned and operated by Don May, Jr. and his business partners Jerry Chandler and Charles Fiedler. The company specializes in cult horror, science fiction, and exploitation films....
, claiming they did not have the rights to the film. Synapse produced legal documentation to show that they had acquired the assets to the company that held Thriller as one of its properties, and thus owned the film for the remainder of the original contracted period.