Blackout (1985)
Blackout is a psychological thriller from 1985 directed by Douglas Hickox. Starring Keith Carradine and Richard Widmark.
Blackout gained notoriety with Ed Sherman’s murder of his wife Ellen who was pregnant at the time on 3 August 1985 in Connecticut. Sherman was inspired by the film and used an airconditioner to slow decomposition and get an alibi. He was sentenced to fifty years in prison in 1992, but died of a heart attack after serving three years.
Plot
Superior TV film opens with a murdered mother and her kids set up as if they were celebrating the youngest’s birthday, which was when the murders took place. 
The father/husband, Ed Vincent, is missing and assumed the culprit. Detective Steiner (Richard Widmark) becomes obsessed with finding Vincent.
Steiner suspects that local realtor Allen Devlin who is new in the neighbourhood may actually be the same man who committed the murder of his wife and their children several years earlier. Allen Devlin has received full facial reconstruction after a near-fatal accident and is now married to the nurse who helpwd him recover.
Notable scenes
The scene of the birthday murder in the beginning of the film and the homecoming of the mother.
The scenes where Allen Devlin is recovering from facial reconstruction.
Making of Blackout
A microphone is visible several times when the detective visits Mike Patterson at the precinct.
Our view on Blackout
Blackout was made for tv for HBO. The killer wears a leather black mask so you don‘t know who it is. There is great suspense during the whole movie with great performances of all the actors. Blackout is now out of print so you could find a copy on Ebay. Exploitflix recommended!
Trailer
Not available
Where to buy Blackout
DVD/VHS/Betamax/VCC
Watch on Youtube
Youtube link English
German
Polish
Details:
Genre: slasher thriller
Released in: 1985
Era: eighties
Actors: Richard Widmark, Keith Carradine,
Director: John Hickox
Poster artist: unknown
Country: USA
