Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield (2007)

27% of users liked it
(3,085 ratings)

Friday the 13th mainstay Kane Hodder stars as the true-life serial killer whose unspeakable atrocities inspired such classic horror films as Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in director Michael Feifer's disturbing frightener. Rural Wisconsin was a quiet place until the man they called "The… More Friday the 13th mainstay Kane Hodder stars as the true-life serial killer whose unspeakable atrocities inspired such classic horror films as Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in director Michael Feifer's disturbing frightener. Rural Wisconsin was a quiet place until the man they called "The Butcher of Plainfield" began his rapid descent into madness. In the months that followed mysterious murders and a series of shocking grave robberies would make headlines all across the country. With this film, fans can finally find out just what it was that transformed a timid, child-like farmer into one of the most abhorrent figures on the annals of American crime. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Michael Feifer
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Mar 6, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Mar 6, 2007
Studio: Lionsgate

Critic Reviews

Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
The least fathfull bio of a serial killer, ever.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

It's shot well, the acting is mostly competent (even if the characters are not) and the pacing keeps it from being a complete bore. The problem with this film is it's inaccuracies. I'm all for dramatic license, but what's the term for changes that make a story less… More
It's shot well, the acting is mostly competent (even if the characters are not) and the pacing keeps it from being a complete bore. The problem with this film is it's inaccuracies. I'm all for dramatic license, but what's the term for changes that make a story less interesting? By reading up on the real Ed Gein on any website, you will get more chills and a general feeling of nausea and discomfort. This film offers none of that. The only reason for these changes are out of pure laziness and the want to cash in on a big name. However, in a film where Kane Hodder is cast as Gein what did I expect? I must gives props to Hodder who actually gave a good performance, it just wasn't the right performance for Ed Gein.
Bruce B

I am sure that in 1957 these gruesome murders did shock the world, and we thought Hannibal Lector was bad. If all that they showed in this movie were true (Most Based on a True Story, Lack the true Details), then old Ed was a pretty sick person. I am wondering just how sick I am for… More
I am sure that in 1957 these gruesome murders did shock the world, and we thought Hannibal Lector was bad. If all that they showed in this movie were true (Most Based on a True Story, Lack the true Details), then old Ed was a pretty sick person. I am wondering just how sick I am for watching it, hummm. But as far as a review, not often I have to turn my head in a movie, but did on this one, the scenes were pretty graphic and having had a large number of bones broken over my life time jumping into jungles and trees from perfect flying aircraft, it just reminded me of pure pain. As far as the movie, wouldn't add it to any collection, wouldn't see it again, and wouldn't go to the dollar theater to see it, best I can do is 2 stars on this one.
Lee K

Thought this would be awesome cause it basically was telling the true to life story of serial killer Ed Gain which the Texas Chainsaw Massacre killer Leatherface was loosely based on. Ummmm no it was really bad with nothing scary at all going on here.
paganchild1979 p

I think they could have found a different actor for his part. Gein wasn't built. But other then that they did a pretty good job at some of the details.