Shove it up Your Floppy Orifice

White of the Eye Review

Like certain studios here in the states, Arrow Video is known for releasing cult classic films in outstanding form to our horror brethren in the UK. With awesome reversible artwork, posters, booklets full of film information, and tons of exclusive DVD and blu-ray extras, Arrow really does an amazing job all around with each and every film they distribute. One of those films, which I am happy I got a chance to watch, is Donald Cammell’s 1987 thriller, White of the Eye.

A serial killer is at large in Globe, Arizona, killing off innocent housewives in overtly brutal ways. Paul White (David Keith), who lives with his wife and daughter, is targeted as one of the investigating officers’ prime suspects. Is this sound system expert innocent or is he really the maniacal killer that the police are after?

When I hear about films that revolve around serial killers, I automatically think I am in for a slasher film. White of the Eye is much more than your standard hack and slash horror film, however. With elements of ancient religious folklore thrown into the mix, this film goes a bit more in-depth than just another crazy guy with a taste for blood. This thriller is riddled with surprise after surprise, making it extremely hard to predict what the end may finally reveal.

The acting in this film is flawless. Everyone from the police officers to Cathy Moriarty who played Paul’s wife, Joan, did an outstanding job. The one performance that steals the show, however, is most certainly David Keith as the lead suspect. He starts out as what seems to be an intelligent and kind family man, but as the film rolls on, his true nature slowly starts to become exposed. The range that Keith is able to pull off in this film is truly amazing. From this sweet character that the entire town seems to be friendly with to a psychotic criminal, Paul White is truly unique.

Cinematographer, Larry McConkey, does an outstanding job with some of the most beautiful camera work I’ve seen in a good while. The gorgeous panning shots of the Arizona desert, coupled with some very eerie eyeball close-ups really make this film one to see for sure.

The most exciting parts of owning an Arrow Video release, for me, are always the special features. The White of the Eye blu-ray is stuffed to the brim with some amazing extras, including a feature-length documentary about director Donald Cammell, one of Cammell’s earlier short films, a making-of featurette with Larry McConkey, and much more.

Be sure to pick up a copy of this film, out now from Arrow Video. I give White of the Eye 3.5 hunting knives out of 5.

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