HOLLYWOOD DREAMS & NIGHTMARES: THE ROBERT ENGLUND STORY **** UK 2022 Dir: Christopher Griffiths & Gary Smart. 134 mins
Here’s an engaging, insightful tour through the career of one of the few bonafide “horror stars” of the modern era in which, not surprisingly, the always witty and articulate Englund has the best tales to tell. It opens with a story of his first Freddy Krueger makeup experience and how he channelled his anger at the process and his envy of his pretty younger co-stars into the performance that would make him an icon. From there, we trace his life and work from the age of 12, when he realised what he wanted from life – naturally going against parental expectations.
In addition to Englund’s charming wife Nancy, the well-structured documentary rounds up a fantastic array of collaborators and admirers. Tim Sullivan enthuses about directing him in his directorial debut 2001 MANIACS, Heather Langenkamp and WIlliam Katt celebrate his friendship and generosity, ELM STREET victims Amanda Wyss and Tuesday Knight (both looking fabulous) share Krueger memories, Kane Hodder retells That FREDDY VS JASON story again and Lance Henriksen shares his own memories of being a jobbing actor.
Englund himself is terrific value as he reflects on how his skinny, curly-haired surfer look translated into character parts and spills hilarious on-set yarns: you’ll love his tale of killing Burt Reynolds (and upsetting his toupee) while shooting HUSTLE. There’s a fun section on Freddy’s entrance into pop culture and how Englund came to embrace his most famous character despite the frustration of how many years playing the Bastard Son of 1000 Maniacs resulted in missing out on other roles.
Particularly valuable are the discussions of movies and parts that haven’t had nearly as much attention as Krueger: we hear about Tobe Hooper getting locked out of EATEN ALIVE, the Hammer-esque intentions of Dwight Little’s flawed but fun THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (great to see Jill Schoelen interviewed) and Englund’s 21st century commitment to working with young directors that resulted in impressive independents like BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON. Throughout, the actor (and occasional director) is thoughtful and modest – and the film ends on the loveliest possible note as he pays touching homage to the genre greats of the past and conveys his pleasure that he might fill that void for contemporary fans.
Review by Steven West
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story is available on the Icon Film Channel and available on Blu-ray and Digital Download from 6th November 2023