Los Angeles, USA – Director William Friedkin, known for his work on “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist”, also directed the lesser-known film “Rampage”, which struggled to gain recognition. However, Kino Lorber plans to release a 4K UHD version of the film in early 2024, giving it a newfound spotlight after decades of being overshadowed.
The film, which delves into the subject of legal insanity and its role in gruesome crime trials, stars Alex McArthur as a seemingly normal man who goes on a killing spree. Michael Biehn plays the liberal District Attorney torn between his leftist beliefs and the seriousness of the crimes committed. The film also features Nicholas Campbell, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, and other talented actors.
Initially filmed in 1986, “Rampage” faced a five-year delay in its North American release due to the bankruptcy of the production studio and distributor. Friedkin re-edited the film during this time, resulting in different endings depending on the territory where it was released.
Friedkin recounted the challenges faced during the release of “Rampage”, mentioning the financial difficulties of the film’s producer and distributor. He expressed gratitude for the eventual re-release of the film by the Weinsteins’ company Miramax despite the setbacks.
Fans of “Rampage” can look forward to the 4K UHD release from Kino Lorber, shining a new light on this underappreciated film.