1. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
Henry Lee Lucas was an American serial killer convicted on 11 charges of murder. He claimed to have killed 60 people after arrest, 100 people in court and outside of court 3000 people. He later recanted the confessions but his death toll seems to be at the 350 mark. He was sentenced to life in prison and died in 2001 of natural causes. The Otis that is Henry's compadre throughout the film is a real life person who did kill with Henry. He was convicted of 6 murders and died of cirrhosis of the liver in prison. Less of a portrait of a serial killer - more observation of the serial killer. There is a brief reference to an abusive mother but the film offers up no explanations for Henry's murderous, psychopathic tendencies. It is a bleak and grim film. Henry is totally beyond redemption. This film is violent and bloody with some very disturbing kill scenes such as the home invasion Otis and Henry stage where they kill an entire family and we see them watching it on video. The ease with which Henry is able to kill is quite disturbing. There are no police in the film. Henry just fades into the busy urban life as another nobody. He kills without discrimination - anyone could be his victim and he dispatches of them ruthlessly, without a second thought. Just watch the hooker killing car scene. Featuring a major down beat ending, viewers are usually left shocked and appalled at the carnage on the screen. Heavy, heavy viewing.