The 1970s are considered by many to have been a golden age of Amrican film-making in general; but the were arguably also a golden age of American horror films, with many classics of the genre dating from this time. 'The American Nightmare' considers some of these movies in the engaging and thoughtful company of some of those who made them; and also of John Landis, who sadly gets most screen time although the enthusiasm he has for his own words is in inverse proportion to the interest of what he has to say. But I don't quite buy the argument presented that these movies amounted to social commentary: they can be quite scary, and they may borrow their imagery from Vietnam or the civil rights movement, but their fundamental silliness is completely ignored in this reverent discussion. Personally, I think most of the films considered here are good, after a fashion; but scarcely serious. So don't watch this film for the most profound of analysis. But if you want to learn why Tobe Hooper made 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (and so on), it's unmissable viewing.
Review of The American Nightmare
