The Banker

My review was written in December 1989 after watching the movie on MCEG/Virgin video cassette.

A bank chairman as a heartless monster? What sounds like a job description is the basis for an effective horror tale in the flasher genre.

William Webb, shose films have inevitably gone direct to video, makes no pretense at making a whodunit here. We're immediately informed that banker Duncan Regehr is killing call girls, then ritualistically mutilating their bodies. It seems he's following some ancient South American Indian practice, even painting his face and using a crossbow.

Robert Forster is the plodding cop tracking him down. Giving the film an interesting wrinkle is Forster's old flame, Shanna Ree, who becomes a successful newscaster and wins popular support when her uncensored outrage at the killer is allowed to be broadcast. Regehr becomes one of her biggest fans and then turns against her in a love-hate fashion.

Though low on suspense, pic benefits from casting of such luscious actresses as Teri Weigel and Deborah Richter as the targets of Regehr's bloodlust. There are overt overtones of "The Most Dangerous Game" as he often refers to hunt down his human prey.

The Banker is a real B-movie. According to lead actor Robert Forster, this film was one of director Quentin Tarantino's favorites, when he was still working at a video store. It would be this film that landed Forster a role in Tarantino's film Jackie Brown.

Foster plays the bad ass cop who is hot on the heels of a serial killer who likes bizarre South American rituals.

But it never rises above average, and Spaulding's motives remain shrouded in mystery.

It is also clear that the budget was too low to give the film a more professional look, but the premise wasn't that bad.

This film had some potential but the end result is a bit of a failure.

Some "B" movies just deliver the goods, and "The Banker" is just such a film. Anyone who has seen any of the numerous "Most Dangerous Game" type clones, will definitely feel on familiar ground. The main difference being that the "hunter" uses as crossbow instead of a rifle, and the stalking takes place in the city instead of the wild countryside. One thing "The Banker" has going for it is a competent performance by Robert Forster. Shanna Reed and Jeff Conway seem pale by comparison, and Duncan Regehr over acts, while Richard Roundtree is mostly wasted in a no name type role. The film does generate some tension, and thankfully there are no car chase time fillers. Definitely worth a viewing by "B" movie admirers. - MERK

Duncan Regher is THE BANKER. He's a mild mannered Banker by day, at night he's a sociopathic homo sapien hunter. Being a good sport, Duncan always give's his weaker prey a second chance. Robert Forester (80's DTV star) plays a cop who's hot on the Banker's trail. Faded 70's Pop Star Leif Garrett makes an apperence as one of the Banker's trophy's and Taxi's Jeff Conaway co-stars as well.

Mindless fun. Worth watching.

B

This is the type of movie you shouldn't approach with high expectations. If you do, you'll be extremely disappointed. However, if you approach this movie with low expectations, and remember that it was made in 89' you will probably enjoy this film for what it is; an amusing thriller. Of course the dialogue is a bit lame, and the acting can be very wooden, but if you sit back, and have a couple of drinks, you'll probably find this movie hilarious. I know I did! The concept of the movie is great to begin with; A rich banker is going around murdering prostitutes with a cross-bow...I mean how awesome is that? He wears fantastic face paint and runs around bare chested. Of course, the movie is extremely predictable and I wouldn't recommend that you buy it, but if you see it at the video store and want a laugh, rent it out! You may regret it....