Released in some areas as Violent Journey, The Fool Killer is a bloody melodrama, combining various aspects of the western and horror genres. In one of his last screen appearances,
Henry Hull plays Dirty Jim Jelliman, who relates the spine-chilling story of "the fool killer" to wide-eyed orphan George Mellish (
Edward Albert). Said killer is an axe-wielding psycho whose mission in life is to purge the world of people whom he considers to be mental midgets. Shortly afterwards, the impressionable George crosses the path of an intense young man named Milo Bogardus (
Anthony Perkins). Is it only coincidental that a rash of axe murders coincides with Milo's arrival in a small community? Based on a novel by Helen Eustis, The Fool Killer was not given a general release until four years after its completion, thanks to tangled legal problems. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide