For horror fans, Robert Englund's name has been etched into the almanacs of the genre with razor-sharp talons. Gary Smart and Christopher Griffiths's Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story tells the real-life story of the classically trained actor who became an icon of terror thanks to his performance as the infamous monster Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The documentary looks at the man behind the character, and interviews his peers to find out more about his importance in the world of horro, and the film industry as a whole.
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story doesn't focus solely on Englund's time as the nightmarish Freddy. It looks at his early life -- both professionally and personally -- and how he came up through Hollywood in the early years. Englund recounts his life's events interspersed between the interviews with his co-stars, friends, loved ones, and other notable industry figures, who help to flesh out the story and discuss his impact.
While the people interviewed -- such as Heather Langenkamp, Slipknot's Corey Taylor, Eli Roth, Tony Todd, and Kane Hodder -- all sing his praises, it's the moments where Englund speaks frankly that bring the most honesty and realness to this documentary. He discusses both his highs and lows of the horror industry as he explores what it was like to be an actor before fame and how his personal life suffered for his dreams. Englund takes the audience on a journey through some of his most memorable failed auditions, such as 1977's Star Wars and how he played a critical role in the casting of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker.
As directors, Smart and Griffiths split Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story to focus on Englund's life pre-Freddy and afterward. From a narrative perspective, there's a clear desire to present how the role of Freddy and the subsequent stardom was also a double-edged sword for the actor. One of the segments pays particular attention to the failure of 1989's The Phantom of the Opera, which stars Englund as the Phantom. Through the interviews and footage, it demonstrates how the marketing tried to capitalize on Englund's newfound fame at the time, but it ultimately backfired when the audience watched the film. It's equally frustrating and hilarious since it feels like such a Hollywood mistake to make.
Undoubtedly, a key theme of the documentary is to present Englund as an actor who doesn't always get the credit he deserves since he is typecast as a horror antagonist. The talking heads shower him with praise for his classically trained acting ability and what he adds to his roles that fans might not realize. At the same time, Englund never bemoans the fact he is primarily known for the singular role of Freddy. Instead, he counts it as a blessing as he was never short of work because of it.
For fans of Englund and Freddy Krueger, Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story is a wonderful portrait of the rise and establishment of a horror icon. While there are many anecdotes that have been covered ad nauseam, it remains a comprehensive look at a modern cinema legend who deserves his flowers.