The Burning

The Burning (1981)

  • 58% of users liked it
    (6,058 ratings)

Apart from early appearances by Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter, an interesting score by Rick Wakeman, and some typically effective work by effects icon Tom Savini, this slasher film is also among the more frightening of its kind. The plot concerns a summer-camp caretaker named Cropsy (Lou David)… More

R,
Directed By
Written By
Harvey Weinstein, Tony Maylam, Brad Grey, Peter Lawrence, Bob Weinstein
Genres
Horror
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1981 Wide

Critic Reviews

  • Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

    Would The Burning have been a better movie without the involvement of Bob and Harvey Weinstein? Wouldn't any movie?

  • Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

    One of the unexpected horror gems of the 1980s.

  • Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com

    One of the more inspired early-'80s slasher pics.

  • Bill Gibron, PopMatters

    While it will never work it's way into the upper echelon of fright flicks, The Burning remains a solid sample of '80s horror showboating.

  • Scott Weinberg, FEARnet

    The body count is admirably high, the splat comes fast and furious, and the whole dang formula feels strangely comfortable after all these years.

Read all 7 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Chris W


    The early 80s saw a wave of clones, rip-offs, and imitators in the wake of slasher giant Friday the 13th's success. The Burning is one such film. The plot concerns a cruel groundskeeper at a summer camp named Cropsy who is left horribly burned and disfigured after a prank gone… More

  • Melvin W


    Camp Counselor: Every year he kills. Right now he's out there. Watching. Waiting. So don't look; he'll see you. Don't breathe; he'll hear you. Don't move; you're dead!  "A brutal horrific act made him kill and kill and kill" The Burning… More

  • Cory T


    If 'Friday the 13th' wasn't gleefully shlocky and stupefyingly dumb, it would probably resemble 'The Burning', a terrifying, brutal debut for producer Bob Weinstein. The nubile female bodies are abundant, the sex-starved boys are present and the frolicking… More

  • Drew S


    The Burning is trashy and not particularly innovative, but it plays around with slasher tropes just enough to make it worth watching. There are a few legitimate chills and some really sinister set pieces (the boat), and Tom Savini's gore is awesome. The acting is universally… More

  • Bruce B


    I was very surprised as to the number of young actors in this movie that went on to be stars. Karen Hunter, Jason Alexander, Ned Eisenberg, and Brian Backer just to name a few. Also very surprised at the many full female nude scenes of what are supposed to be teens at a teen camp.… More

Read all 19 featured audience ratings

Currently unavailable on Flixster

Also available on

Other Retailers

Not Available
Not Available
Not Available

Subscription Services

Not Available
Not Available
Not Available

Cast

See more (15)