I must say I'm very surprised, even quite shocked, to see all the negative ratings and read the downright harsh reviews on "Craze". Sure, it's far from original and probably not even all that memorable, but one simply has to admit it provides tremendous 70s horror entertainment thanks to its schlocky plot, Grand Guignol make-up effects and the fabulously over-the-top performance by the great Jack Palance! Honestly, if you love the horror genre, I cannot believe, nor accept, that you won't enjoy "Craze". Good old Jack depicts financially struggling antique dealer Neil Mottram, living in the heart of London. He organizes ritual sacrifice games in his basement to honor the God ChuKu, which is a hideous African statue with huge eyes and razor-sharp fingers. Neil already was loony, but he gets dangerously disturbed when he learns the tacky sacrifices weren't sufficient. In return for dead female sacrifices, ChuKu offers wealth and luxury. So, predictably, Neil gets hooked on the thrill of both money and committing murder, and roams around London to scout for potential new victims. As soon as the police begins to suspect him, Palance's murder schemes turn into meticulously prepared plans, and I thought this was great. The whole set-up to get rid of his rich aunt, for instance, with waterproof nightly alibis and even his own car sabotaged, is very ingenious and fascinating to observe. The kills are deliciously gruesome, nasty and perverse. Poor ladies get impaled, stabbed, viciously strangled or even stuffed in the incinerator. "Craze" clearly isn't director Freddie Francis best work, but his weak direction is widely compensated by the unhinged Jack Palance and the numerous guest appearances from great starts in minor roles.
