Strangled or A Martfüi Rém (The Monster from Martfü) is based on true events and tells the story of a Hungarian serial murderer/necrophiliac in the 1960's. It's an interesting story to follow, but it's also not the most captivating movie about a psychopath like him, nevertheless it's a well made movie. The murder/rape shots are a bit graphic and that makes the movie look real, without being too disgusting to watch though. The acting wasn't bad. I didn't know any of the actors but they all did a good job. You can't help thinking that research and justice were not the greatest things in that era in that country. I don't think I watched a lot of Hungarian movies before but this one is worth a watch.

Based on a true story in Martfü, Hungry, a small shoe factory town. In 1957 a woman is murdered and Réti Ákos (Gábor Jászberényi) confesses to the crime, although he is confused on the events. Seven year later more women are being murdered and the police question if they convicted the right man, as they look for the killer. They don't want to admit they made a mistake as it would effect their career. An outsider to the community is brought in to investigate.

I watched the film with English subtitles. The acting was fine and screen play well adapted for a drama. At 37 minutes into the film we have no doubt who the killer is. In spite of the production being good quality, it was a slow burn with a small climax.

Guide: F-word, sex, nudity

Quite a find, this one, shown apparently at the London Film Festival last year, this seems not to have had a theatrical release, outside Hungary. Bleak and disturbing, this is an uncompromising look at what we are told is a true story going back to the late 50s/early60s. There is some attempt to set this horror within the political upsets of the time but I have to say, at least to an outsider, these seem rather unconvincing. Not so the main thrust of this daring film, however, which certainly visits areas not often visited in tales of brutal serial killers. The film begins with great style and carefully composed scenes and ends similarly with beautiful period vehicles and street posters, the rest of the film though is not pretty at all and the harrowing tale is realistically told in dark and subdued lighting with nothing too pretty at all. Very impressive but not an easy watch.