5/5 "Goin' Crazy, Crazy on You!"
  by Raegan Butcher (Rain City, USA)
After coming out of nowhere with NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD in 1968 Pittsburgh director George Romero made two flops that no one has ever heard of, THERE"S ALWAYS VANILLA and SEASON OF THE WITCH. Then in 1973 his financially strapped indie distributors begged him to make another "horror" film and for a paltry 270, 000 dollars he went to Evans City, PA and made THE CRAZIES. Its about an accidental bio-warfare spill that drives people crazy(you seeing where Danny Boyle got some inspiration for 28 Days Later?) and the Army's disastrous attempt at containment. Watching it today one is struck by its relentlessly downbeat tone and the power of the imagery; i was amazed at the hard-headedness; no one is spared unjustifiably to satisfy the demands of an audience--this is the 70's, remember--its got scenes that, in todays climate, seriously resonate: bio-suited soldiers taking over a small town, dragging screaming children from their beds, shooting escapees in the back; this has to be the most outright anti-militarist film from the early 70's besides PUNISHMENT PARK. This is heavy stuff, especially seen in the light of our current domestic situation,where police and military intrusions upon everyday life are becoming more and more "normal". You've got to hand it to George Romero, he doesn't pull any punches; At one point he has some civilians saying to our protagonists, " Let's wait for the army to help us!" to which one of the heroes, a vietnam veteran, replies,
"The army ain't anyone's friend, we know--we were in it!" For a film that originally came out in 1973 that line is not only prescient but brave;THE CRAZIES is unsparing in its depiction of the lunacy of the armed forces--even the soldiers themselves recognize it--in this way the film is similar in spirit to CATCH 22 and its chilling to think about how the entire concept was considered pretty far-fetched upon its first release--even though it was inspired by true events in Utah in which a cannister of nerve gas fell from an army truck and killed a bunch of cattle (also the subject of George C Scotts directorial debut, RAGE 1972. ) and to then realize how familiar, dare i say COMFORTABLE we are with these kinds of concepts today after the cult attacks in the tokyo subways in the 90's and all our current preoccupations with bio-warfare,dirty bombs and Homeland Security.
This is an excellent edition of this long unavailable film; It looks the best it probably ever has since it was first barely released in theatres back in '73. The commentary by George Romero
is hilarious and very entertaining as well as very informative. There is a big-budget remake scheduled for 2006 and I, for one, can't wait. If its anything like the fantastic 2004 remake of Romero's Dawn of the Dead, it will be awesome!THE CRAZIES remains one of the most potent indictments against out of control militarism that has ever been made in America and its also a gripping adventure story, told with style and ingenuity.

4/5 Interesting thriller from George Romero!
  by John Lindsey (Socorro, New Mexico USA.)
A deadly government made virus called "Code: Trixie" has just been unleashed into a Pennslyvania town called "Evan's City" as it contaminates some people as the effects are either death or insanity that leads them to kill people. However the local army and scientists are working on a cure as they must give vaccines to some of the non-infected people of the town. A few people such as a Vietnam vet with his pregnant wife secretly have to flee the virus and the deadly infected folk.

Interesting Sci-fi action horror thriller from the creator of "Night of the Living Dead" and "Dawn of the Dead" George A. Romero that has his trademark brand of social satire mixed with horror elements and there are good themes about biological warfare including the effects of what it could do to people. Cult actress Lynn Lowrey, Richard France (Dawn of the Dead 1978) and Richard Liberty (Day of the Dead) co-star in this chilling action packed movie of paranoia and militant fear.

The DVD has good picture and sound quality with that nice remastering that "Blue Underground" always does to cult movies! A good audio commentary by George Romero is here with some nice extras like an interview with legendary Lynn Lowrey, poster-and-still gallery, George Romero bio, TV Spots and Trailers.

Also recommended: "Outbreak", " 28 Days Later", "Rabid", "The Brood", " Dawn of the Dead (1978 and 2004)", "Night of the Living Dead ( 1968 and 1990)", "Day of the Dead", "Resident Evil", " Scanners", " I Drink Your Blood", " The Hills Have Eyes", " Night of the Comet", " Return of the Living Dead 3", " Nightmare City ( a.k.a. City of the Walking Dead)", " Cannibal Apocalypse", "Akira", " The Omega Man".

4/5 Good Romero fare
  by JK2 (Boise, ID USA)
THE CRAZIES was filmed during the time between Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and DAWN OF THE DEAD. This film certainly has more in common with DAWN in terms of pacing and editing.THE CRAZIES benefits from a lightning-fast pace and over-the-top editing which keeps you glued to the screen. The story is essentially your "small town is exposed to a lethal virus and quarantined" plot. We follow 5 people as they try to dodge the military and escape the town, but marshal law is declared and the military begin slaughtering the civilians, infected or not.

This film has so much in common with DAWN OF THE DEAD in terms of overall feel and production, that if you love DOTD, as most horror fans do, you really can't go wrong with THE CRAZIES.

4/5 Excellent, underrated horror film.
  by HeavyGuitarSunn
Considerably smarter than many of the horror movies of the time, "The Crazies" ranks with "Night of the Living Dead" as Romero's bleakest film. This is an occasionally funny movie -- though only rarely -- but the conclusion is apocalyptic. The whole she-bang has shades of "Strangelove" written all over it. This movie will probably make you sigh in sadness before it will make you scared, but it will most assuredly make you think.

4/5 A good addition to a complete Romero collection
  by B. VEREEN (Norcal, CA USA)
What a shame that we don't have more of a culture of independent filmmaking in this country. "The Crazies" is not "Citizen Kane", but Romero completists will appreciate this fine presentation. You won't find the script and production values of "The Andromeda Strain", but if you enjoy out-of-control virus thrillers, then this film is a good choice. It's an odd bridge between the bleak horror of "Night of the Living Dead" and the apocolyptic farce of "Dawn of the Dead".

As expected, many classic Romero themes begin to formulate in this early film. The replacement of one society by another, with the "new" society simply expressing exaggerated characteristics of the "old". We see a bureaucratized, inefficient government that ends of doing far more harm than good. And of course we see the usual two-dimensional negative depiction of military characters. (This has always been a weakness in Romero's word - we know the government is bad, why underscore that point with a bad cliche).

Like almost all of his work, Romero filmed this in the Pittsburg area largely with local talent. The acting is hit-and-miss...but Romero takes some interesting risks, especially in light of its age. In terms of directing, writing, and cinematography, Romero accomplished a great deal with very limited resources. There are some images you won't forget...an insane grandmother killing a soldier with knitting needles is more disturbing than it sounds, for example.

I run hot and cold towards Romero's films. He's had some excellent success, and some profound failures - but in general, there should be more filmakers like him. I'd much rather see something as risk-taking as "The Crazies" than normal Hollywood fare. The extras on this DVD are first-rate. We're treated to a director's commentary, an interview with a period actress, trailers, and some clips from other period works.