As the Zodiac Killer was hunting the San Francisco landscape for their next victim, director Tom Hanson, was producing what he called a ‘public informational film’. That film was THE ZODIAC KILLER, a grungy, stripped down shocker about the murderous mayhem of the stalking, still never identified, monster. Hanson, who had owned a chain of Pizza restaurants, was determined to use the film to find the real Zodiac Killer. Though this did not work, it propelled it and him, into infamy. Often due to his actions to lure and capture the killer with his in-theatre “traps” that included giveaways and police crews waiting to pounce. He was obsessed that the killer would come and reveal their self. This also lead to a sequel of sorts (featured on this disc) ANOTHER SON OF SAM.

THE ZODIAC KILLER maybe not an in depth analysis of the crimes and the investigation like say ZODIAC was. That film is a highly polished piece. This film is far more interesting to the viewer as a product of the age. Starting as a day to day chronicle of life and lusts of the people of the period, with nudes and sex hunting galore, it descends into a horrid background story of the fears of people being preyed upon by the serial murderer. With an over whelming sense of the night as a monster all of its own. This plays well into its best feature. Which is actually its very limited budget. The limitation lets the events happen without stylisation or cinematic saturation. Unlike a film school kid, framing and focusing, this is more immediate. More exploitative also. More brutal in its delivery. With an almost police eye witness execution that can sometimes feel detached

The 4K hasn’t really helped the film ascend to the visual place it never wanted to reach to be honest. So I and probably many, cant understand its rationale. The extras on the disc have two really pieces. The bonus film, ANOTHER SON OF SAM is a more clinical film. More filmic. Less grungy but works equally well as both a document of the period and an exploration of the mindset of those in fear of death. The commentary track is the best people talking about the film thing. Director, stars and various ‘technical’ stars, all talk over each other but with a feeling that they and the film are worth more…

Special Features:

• New 4K scan from the only surviving 16mm blow up elements
• Interview with director Tom Hanson and Manny Nedwick
• Commentary track with Tom Hanson, Manny Nedwick and more
• Tabloid-horror trailers from the AGFA archive
• Liner notes by Chris Poggiali of Temple of Schlock
• Bonus movie: Another Son of Sam (1977) – 2K scan from an original 35mm theatrical print