The Killing of America
A mondo film on America's decline through violence and murder.
The Killing of America, released in Japan as Violence USA, is a 1981 mondo film directed by Sheldon Renan and written by Leonard and Chieko Schrader. The film premiered in New York City in February 1982 and was shown at the 2013 Fantasia Festival. It focuses on what the director feels is the decline of the United States, featuring interviews with law enforcement and convicted killers, as well as footage of murders and news broadcasts.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Sheldon Renan
- Producer
- Mataichirô Yamamoto / Leonard Schrader
- Writer
- Leonard Schrader / Chieko Schrader
- Narrator
- Chuck Riley (English) / Yoshio Kaneuchi (Japanese)
- Cinematography
- Robert Charlton / Tom Hurwitz / Willy Kurant / Peter Smokler
- Music
- W. Michael Lewis / Mark Lindsay
- Editing
- Lee Percy
- Studio
- Filmlink International / Towa Production Company
- Distributor
- Toho-Towa (Japan) / Golden Harvest (International)
- Released
- 5 September 1981
- Runtime
- 115 minutes (Japan) / 95 minutes (International)
- Country
- Japan / United States
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Killing of America connects the beginning of America's woes with the assassination of John F. Kennedy and posits that hope of recovery was snuffed out when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968. It features footage from the Zapruder film and news footage from the night Robert Kennedy was killed. According to the film, the 1960s saw the rise of 'sniper' mass murderers, often white and well-adjusted, exemplified by Charles Whitman, while the 1970s saw the rise of 'sex killers' such as Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy.
Reader's Guide
The film's significance lies in its controversial portrayal of American violence as a chronic decline, using real footage and interviews with killers like Sirhan Sirhan and Edmund Kemper. It analyzes the Cleveland Elementary School shooting of 1979 and ends with the murder of John Lennon, concluding with a vigil and a narration stating that while the viewer watched, five more people were murdered. Critical reception has been mixed: Allmovie gave it 2.5 stars, criticizing its emphasis on violence and gun control over in-depth study, while Mikita Brottman in The Horror Film considered it 'one of the more thoughtful and fascinating examples of the mondo genre.' The film did not receive a commercial U.S. release but had a wide release in Japan, where financial backers reportedly pressured Renan to add peace vigil footage to make it less depressing.
Did You Know?
- The film was released in Japan as Violence USA (Japanese: バイオレンスUSA).
- It features interviews with Los Angeles County Coroner Thomas Noguchi and retired sergeant Ed Dorris.
- The narrators' last lines state that while you watched the movie, five more people were murdered, one a random killing of a stranger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Killing of America?
It is a 1981 American mondo film that examines the perceived decline of the United States through a lens of violence. The documentary-style piece weaves together interviews with police officers and convicted murderers alongside raw footage of killings and television news coverage.
Who directed The Killing of America and who narrates it?
Sheldon Renan helmed the project, with the screenplay credited to Leonard and Chieko Schrader. Chuck Riley served as the film's narrator, guiding viewers through the assembled material.
What is The Killing of America's Japanese title and release year?
In Japan the film was released under the title Violence USA. It hit Japanese screens in 1981, which is actually earlier than its February 1982 New York City premiere.
Why is The Killing of America significant in mondo film history?
It stands as a stark, unflinching portrait of American society's relationship with murder and lawlessness, capturing a specific era of cultural anxiety. The film found a new audience decades later when it was programmed at the 2013 Fantasia Festival, proving its lasting resonance with genre fans.
What does The Killing of America actually show on screen?
Rather than following a traditional plot, the film assembles a collage of real-world violence: on-camera interviews with both sides of the justice system, recorded murder scenes, and clips from contemporary news broadcasts. The overall narrative arc is one of societal deterioration, framed through the director's critical perspective on the nation.
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