BUNDY: A LEGACY OF EVIL

Ted Bundy is a brilliant young graduate in psychology and engaged in the study of law. Already marked by a difficult childhood, he suffers another shock when Stephanie, his first love, leaves him accusing him of not being a real man. Thus begins his path towards a life as a ruthless serial killer, kidnapping and brutally murdering an undefined number of women until he is arrested. After escaping from prison and postponing his death sentence twice, defending himself, he is finally executed in the electric chair. The true story of one of the most ferocious serial killers in America in the 1970s has inspired several films, including "Bundy - A Legacy of Evil" also known as "Bundy - An American Icon". The work in question aims to retrace the life of the murderer, from childhood to the tragic ending that saw him sentenced to death. Although the runtime of the film is rather substantial, director Michael Feifer puts together a rather fragmented story, omitting important events that, in addition to making the film more truthful, would have facilitated the understanding of the plot. For example, the discovery of Bundy's true mother, who always passed herself off as his older sister, an episode that certainly caused him serious turmoil and influenced his ruthless conduct in the years to come, is omitted. In addition to glossing over the relationships Ted had with various women (at one point he got married but this is not mentioned), the entire part of the investigations, with annexed testimonies from victims who survived the attacks, is completely bypassed, providing a picture that is not only incoherent but also unrealistic. Ted's involvement in politics and his work as a volunteer at the Seattle Crisis Cyrcus telephone center, a non-profit association that assisted victims of violence and people in difficulty, play a marginal role. This last activity allowed him to come into contact with various female figures who played an important role in his life; this event is absolutely not taken into consideration. Corin Nemec's performance as the protagonist is not outstanding: physical resemblance is not enough to embody such a controversial and characterized character. Ted's madness, in fact, hardly manages to emerge, and the murders appear rather clumsy and not disturbing. In reality, the serial killer attacked young women in an extremely cruel manner, beating them, raping them, and inflicting inhuman torture; none of this is seen in the film. Instead, a series of murders, devoid of details, is shown in an anonymous atmosphere that fails to disturb the viewer at all. The 110 minutes of the film are also filled with unnecessary delays that weigh down a film already affected by a shaky screenplay and a lackluster direction. A work that leaves much to be desired, not faithful to the actual events and made in a questionable way.