There are those who are such icons of their trade, their names become synonymous within the industry that goes beyond their own body of work. You’d be hard pressed to find a more indisputable example of this than Tom Savini.

Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini takes a deep dive into the life and work of the multi-talented master of stunts and practical effects. Directed by Jason Baker, this self-narrated documentary offers a deeply personal look at Savini’s journey, from childhood to present day, offering up a plethora of clips and interviews. 

We first get a glimpse into how he grew up, as a self-proclaimed child from a poor family who didn’t have much. He attributes this to his resourcefulness and ability to make something out of nothing, a quality he is known for in his Special Effects career. He speaks with reverence about his family while interlaced with interviews with a few of his siblings, giving the first real look into the character Savini is. 

What’s most intriguing, though, is hearing first-hand from Savini himself as he recounts the steps he took to make it in the industry. His first love was theatre, and we see rare footage of a young Savni performing on stage as both an actor and stuntman.

Savini speaks briefly of his time in Vietnam during the war, and how it forever changed him, making him “dead inside” and unable to maintain relationships or have the motivation to do what he loved. Eventually, he found his footing again, throwing himself into special effects work. His talent and vivacity for the craft began to get him noticed by other industry titans, leading to the illustrious resume he has today.

We are also given an in-depth look at his directorial debut Night of the Living Dead, and his frustrations and discouragement over how the film he wanted to make, and the end result, were vastly different. It’s an intimate view through the lens of a creator who felt as though their love and appreciation for the art was ultimately stifled.

Savini is a larger than life personality, and we are treated with interviews from industry peers such as the late George Romero, Sid Haig, and Alice Cooper, as well as fans and his daughter, who he raised primarily on his own. There’s a wealth of insight here, as it is clear the impression he has left with those in his life is profound. 

While it’s interesting to discover various circumstances of his personal life, Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini spends possibly a little too much time focusing on these points. Many of these have no real impact on the path he took in his career, and serve more as filler anecdotes. The film could have clipped some of these down to really focus on how he executed more of his most famous effects.

Ultimately, Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini is a fascinating and insightful glimpse into the life and thought process of a true legend and pioneer in film and television. It’s said that you should never meet your heroes or you’ll be disappointed in who they really are, but it’s clear that this is not the case with Tom Savini. His legacy and body of work will remain cornerstones for the next generation, while his enthusiasm and persona will leave a mark that won’t soon be forgotten.

8 out of 10