Due to the Soviet-Afghan War, the U.S. led several countries to boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. The boycott made international news, eventually leading the USSR to boycott the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. With the slasher boom in full effect, many studios and would-be filmmakers wanted to capitalize on this trend. Rafael Buñuel and Christopher Mankiewicz, sons of surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñel and Oscar-winning filmmaker Joseph L. Mankiewicz, were among them. Around 1982, they brought on first-time writer/director Michael Elliot to helm a slasher film centered on The Olympics. Under the title The Killing Touch, filming took place around University High School and Aviation High School in California. Unfortunately, the movie had numerous production issues, including constant rewrites and a rushed 5-week shoot. After struggling to find distribution, the film had a limited theatrical release in 1984 under the new title Fatal Games.
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Synopsis
At the Falcon Academy of Athletics, young athletes are training for the Nationals, hoping to qualify for the Olympics. Overseeing the students is Dr. Jordine (Michael Elliot), who’s been administering steroids so they’ll outperform Russia and China. His assistant, Diane Paine (Sally Kirkland), objects to what they’re doing, but Jordine convinces her that it’s for the best. Things worsen when some athletes, such as gymnasts Nancy Wilson (Melissa Prophet) and Sue Allen Baines (Angela Bennett), go missing. Unbeknownst to anyone, a masked killer stalks the campus with a javelin, picking off the athletes one by one. Fellow gymnast Annie Rivers (Lynn Banashek) and her boyfriend Phil Dandrige (Sean Masterson) decide to investigate the disappearances. All the while, the other students struggle with interpersonal relationships, unrealistic expectations, and student-teacher relations. Who will be next, and who will take it all the way and survive these fatal games?
Review
Fatal Games is a pretty silly slasher, but it has some unique qualities that make it stand out. Setting it in an athletic school for Olympic hopefuls is a novel concept that isn’t the usual summer camp. Also, the killer has a distinctive look and a signature weapon that they stick with, even when killing someone underwater. It helps that almost every shot featuring the killer has them backlit, which makes them look more ominous. Plus, similar to how The Mutilator had a ridiculously catchy theme song, this one has a similarly infectious title track. It’s worth noting that the opening song was composed by Shuki Levy, who later founded Saban Entertainment with Haim Saban. There’s also an exciting climax that keeps you on edge, especially with the twist that adds a layer of cheese. Plus, there’s plenty of nudity, both male and female, to suit your tastes.
Unfortunately, aside from a unique setting and a decent killer, this film offers little else. For one, the acting falls flat, though it doesn’t help that the cast doesn’t have great dialogue to work with. Future Oscar nominee Sally Kirkland performs well, though the filmmakers’ handling of her character is questionable. Spice Williams-Crosby is also a highlight as the likable Coach Drew, even though her character sleeps with a student. Sadly, Lynn Banashek, who only has one other credit to her name, is a weak and forgettable lead. The film tries to add character development, but none of the characters are interesting enough to warrant this. Also, this one’s pretty weak on the gore for a slasher film, only showing a little blood here and there. It doesn’t help that every kill is the same stabbing by javelin, a wasted opportunity for some Olympic-themed kills.
Many people have compared this film to 1981’s Graduation Day, and it’s easy to see why. Both involve a masked killer going after a group of young athletes and have a shocking twist. Considering Herb Freed’s movie made more money, I’m sure Michael Elliot and his team took some inspiration. That said, Freed’s movie is better because it has more inventive kills, better characters, and a sense of fun. Patch McKenzie is a much better lead than Lynn Banashek, and that film had more of a sense of humor. Still, there’s enough unintentional camp to enjoy this film, especially with some friends and your substance of choice. While I wouldn’t call this a long-lost gem, it’s still an interesting artifact worth seeing if you love slashers. Overall, Fatal Games isn’t terrible, but if you want to start getting into 80s slashers, there are better options.
Buy Fatal Games from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4devxqP.
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