Rampage (1987 film)

De Laurentiis Entertainment Group

Company type	Production company
Industry	Film production
Defunct	1988
Fate	Bankruptcy
Successor	Miramax (distribution rights acquired)
Headquarters	United States

Rampage is a 1987 American crime drama directed, produced, and written by William Friedkin. The film features performances by Michael Biehn, Alex McArthur, and Nicholas Campbell. Friedkin’s screenplay is adapted from William P. Wood’s novel, which draws inspiration from the life of the serial murderer Richard Chase.

The movie had its debut at the Boston Film Festival on September 24, 1987. However, its general theatrical release was postponed for five years due to the bankruptcy of the production company De Laurentiis Entertainment Group. Eventually, in 1992, distribution rights were obtained by Miramax, which issued a limited release across North America. For this occasion, Friedkin reedited the film and modified its conclusion.

Plot summary

The story centers on Charles Reece, a serial killer driven by paranoid delusions that compel him to commit savage mutilations and consume blood. Following his apprehension, the narrative shifts to his trial, where prosecutors argue for the death penalty by asserting Reece’s sanity, while defense lawyers plead insanity. Prosecutor Anthony Fraser, initially against capital punishment, changes his viewpoint after encountering a victim’s bereaved family.

Reece is ultimately judged sane and condemned to death. Subsequent brain scans reveal evidence of mental illness, complicating Fraser’s position regarding the death penalty. In the original conclusion, Reece dies in his prison cell from an overdose of antipsychotic drugs he had secretly accumulated.

Alternate ending

In the revised version, Reece is committed to a state mental institution and, in a haunting epilogue, sends a letter to a man whose wife and child he murdered, inviting him to visit. A final title card informs viewers that Reece has a parole hearing scheduled in six months.

Influences

The character of Charlie Reece is an amalgamation of several serial killers but is primarily modeled on Richard Chase, who carried out his crimes in Sacramento, California during 1977-78, differing from the film’s fictional Stockton setting in 1986.

There are slight variations between Reece’s victims and those of Chase: Reece murders three women, one man, and one boy; Chase’s victims included two men, two women (one pregnant), a boy, and a toddler. Unlike Chase, Reece briefly escapes custody during which he kills two guards and a priest. Both killers shared histories of institutionalization for mental health issues and exhibited compulsions involving drinking blood due to deteriorating health.

One child victim’s body is discarded in a garbage bin box by Reece, echoing Chase’s murder of 22-month-old David Ferreira whose remains were similarly concealed and discovered months later. The film depicts brains found at Reece’s residence but stops short of explicitly stating he consumed them.

Both killers wore brightly colored parkas during their murders and showed paranoia about being poisoned; Reece refuses prison food for this reason, mirroring Chase’s behavior. Chase’s trial highlighted premeditation supported by his wearing gloves during crimes; Reece wears gloves only once and this fact is not emphasized at trial.

In the 1992 version of the film, brain scans proving insanity open the possibility of parole for Reece; by contrast, Chase was sentenced to death but died from an overdose before execution. The original 1987 cut shows Reece overdosing before brain scan results could potentially reverse his sentence.

Reece lives with his mother and works at a gas station; Chase lived alone and was unemployed when committing his offenses. The film presents Reece as “quietly insane,” contrasting with Chase’s overtly paranoid schizophrenia. Actor Alex McArthur prepared for the role by consulting psychiatrists and reviewing interviews with serial killers to portray an unassuming demeanor.

A violent outburst following Reece’s escape from custody was inspired by an actual event in Illinois during filming when a killer painted his face silver.

The negative depiction of courtroom experts reflects director Friedkin’s own experiences with custody disputes.

Production and release

The film was inspired by a 1985 novel authored by William P. Wood, a California prosecutor who participated in the 1979 trial of Richard Chase. Wood forwarded his book to Friedkin, who announced the adaptation project in December 1985. To ensure accuracy, Friedkin consulted defense attorney Colleen Grace regarding the novel’s depiction and the death penalty arguments, while also communicating with Sacramento’s District Attorney’s Office to gather detailed case insights that shaped the portrayal of the murderer’s behaviors.

In early 1986, Friedkin encountered criticism after revealing intentions to portray the killer as schizophrenic, drawing concern from mental health advocates worried about associating schizophrenia with violent conduct. At that point, the screenplay’s initial draft had not yet been completed.

During a 1992 interview on Charlie Rose, Friedkin articulated his aim to produce films that confront significant social issues rather than conventional entertainment. The subject of capital punishment had appeared in his work before, notably in his 1962 documentary The People vs. Paul Crump. Friedkin characterized Rampage as a largely factual recounting of the Richard Chase case, employing violence sparingly. Among the cast, Michael Biehn was identified as the most recognizable actor; although William Petersen was initially attached, he ultimately did not participate.

Principal photography took place between October and December 1986 in Stockton and Lodi, California, with prison sequences filmed at Lodi Prison. The film debuted at a one-day fundraising event in Stockton in August 1987 and was shown again in January 1988 with author Wood present. It also screened at the Boston Film Festival in September 1987 and saw limited theatrical runs across Europe.

Originally planned for a U.S. theatrical release in mid-February 1988, the film’s distribution was interrupted when producer De Laurentiis Entertainment Group (DEG) declared bankruptcy in August 1988. As a result, Rampage remained unreleased domestically for five years during which Friedkin reedited the film, modifying its ending prior to Miramax’s U.S. release in October 1992. European editions frequently retain the original conclusion. The initial cut credits DEG, whereas the later version credits Miramax and includes an updated disclaimer referencing real-life events.

Friedkin later clarified that DEG’s financial collapse hindered proper marketing and distribution efforts, causing a five-year delay until Miramax acquired rights and reissued the film. Discussions with Miramax involved addressing narrative clarity and reflecting Friedkin’s changed perspective on capital punishment. The 1992 edition incorporated an additional scene depicting Reece buying a handgun through deceitful means—a detail absent from the original cut.

Reflecting on the protracted release delay, actor Alex McArthur noted personal growth since filming and expressed some unease about his role’s suitability for family audiences.

When Rampage finally premiered in the United States beginning October 30, 1992, it opened in 175 theaters and earned roughly half a million dollars against its multimillion-dollar production budget. McArthur acknowledged that commercial profitability was never intended to be the film’s primary objective.

Soundtrack

The musical score for the movie was created, orchestrated, arranged, and conducted by Ennio Morricone. It was made available on vinyl LP, cassette, and compact disc formats through Virgin Records.

Reception

Rampage elicited mixed reactions from critics. Several reviewers considered it among Friedkin’s finest achievements. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert awarded it three out of four stars, interpreting the film as a commentary on madness within the American criminal justice system and underscoring the principle that perpetrators of atrocious crimes must be held responsible regardless of their mental state. Janet Maslin from The New York Times commended the performances and the film’s authentic atmosphere, highlighting its avoidance of sensationalism.

On the other hand, Owen Gleiberman from Entertainment Weekly condemned it as "repugnant" propaganda with confusing legal reasoning. In contrast, Stephen King publicly defended the film in correspondence with the magazine. Desson Howard of The Washington Post recognized its pertinence given recent notorious serial killer cases, while Richard Harrington criticized its outdated appearance resulting from a five-year release delay. Gene Siskel speculated that its theatrical debut was influenced by the success of The Silence of the Lambs, noting its explicit scenes and limited mainstream appeal.

In 2009, Games Radar included it in a list titled "The Most Delayed Movies Ever," describing it as a "dark little thriller." Taste of Cinema positioned it sixth among "The 10 Darkest Serial Killer Movies of All Time." By 2021, Patrick Jankiewicz writing for Fangoria characterized it as a chilling exploration of malevolence and societal reaction.

William Friedkin later expressed that although many now value Rampage, he personally felt he missed his objective, partially blaming audience expectations for something less grave.

Home media

Friedkin’s original version featuring an alternate ending was released on LaserDisc in Japan by Shochiku Home Video in 1990. The film also received a DVD release through SPI International in Poland.

In February 1992, Miramax formed a partnership with Paramount Home Entertainment to distribute home video; Paramount subsequently issued the second version on VHS in the United States that same year. This arrangement ceased when Disney acquired Miramax in 1993, assuming home video distribution responsibilities until Miramax was sold in 2010. Paramount also managed a 1994 LaserDisc release of the second cut. In 2020, Paramount Global obtained rights to Miramax’s library, which includes Rampage. The catalog of De Laurentiis Entertainment Group—the producer behind the initial cut—is primarily owned by StudioCanal.

Both versions are accessible digitally on Amazon Prime in standard definition. In December 2023, Kino Lorber announced intentions to release a 4K UHD edition during 2024 under a sublicensing agreement covering both cuts; however, delays emerged due to challenges in locating original film materials. On July 29, 2025, Kino Lorber confirmed an official release date for the 4K UHD version set for October 21, 2025.

External links

• Director Friedkin Confronts Social Issues in Film at The Harvard Crimson