Cropsy Joins the Hall of Killers: The Scissor-Wielding Legend Enters Second Class
The infamous slasher Cropsy has officially carved his way into the Second Class of the Hall of Killers. Emerging from the cult classic The Burning, Cropsy’s inclusion not only honours his grisly on-screen legacy but also marks a significant nod to horror history, especially the notorious era of the UK’s “video nasties.”
A Burned Monster Is Born
Released in 1981, The Burning was loosely inspired by the urban legend of the Cropsy maniac, a former summer camp caretaker who returns to take revenge after a tragic prank leaves him hideously burned. The film opens with Cropsy’s fiery accident and spirals into a relentless stalk-and-slash rampage as he picks off unsuspecting campers with his weapon of choice, a massive pair of garden shears.
Directed by Tony Maylam and boasting early work from makeup effects master Tom Savini, The Burning stood out for its visceral gore, suspenseful pacing, and atmospheric setting. It also marked the film debut of future stars like Holly Hunter and Jason Alexander.
The Video Nasty Scandal
Despite being an American production, The Burning gained infamous notoriety in the UK during the 1980s as part of the so-called “video nasty” panic. This moral uproar followed the rise of home video, when horror films were released uncut on VHS and reached audiences without certification from the British Board of Film Classification.
Alongside titles like Cannibal Holocaust, The Driller Killer, and I Spit on Your Grave, The Burning was one of the original 72 films targeted under the Video Recordings Act 1984. These films were seized, banned, and often demonised in the press as corrupting influences on youth.
Though The Burning was later cleared of obscenity charges and re-released in a censored form, its early association with the video nasty era cemented its reputation as one of the most controversial slasher films of its time.
Why Cropsy Deserves His Place
Cropsy isn’t just another masked slasher, he’s the embodiment of revenge, trauma, and the primal horror of being hunted in the woods. His melted visage, silent stalking, and signature shears have earned him a cult following among horror fans. While he never spawned a franchise, his legacy lives on as one of the genre’s most underappreciated icons.
By inducting Cropsy into the Second Class of the Hall of Killers, we’re not just recognising a villain, we’re acknowledging a time in horror history when films like The Burning pushed boundaries, challenged censorship, and shaped the future of the genre.
Welcome to the Hall of Killers, Cropsy. May your shears stay sharp.
