Since the release of Tobe Hooper's classic film 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' there have been a handful of Horror films involving a homicidal backwoods family. There's just something about these kind of films that makes them so much fun to watch, but none have come close to Hooper's film. Even the sequels, the remake, and it's prequel can't match it, but most of them are still worth a look. None of these films inspired by the original 'Chainsaw' film have captured it's raw power or sheer terror, but there are some still notable ones. The family that slays together, stays together.
This is one of the lesser known types of Slasher Film, a subgenre dominated by films with a masked madman killing teenagers. This may be a good thing though because so many of the lesser known Horror films have a certain charm that more mainstream films could never capture. Though 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' was a success, it was an independent film that lacked the polish of films like 'Star Wars.' Instead it's got this gritty and real down and dirty look and feel to it. Also in films like this the filmmakers could get away with a lot more and some really pushed the envelope. Even Hooper himself went further in terms of gore and depravity with the first 'Chainsaw' sequel.
These films influence can be seen in many other films such as 'Motel Hell' and 'Deranged.' There's nothing like watching a film where people from the city, some innocent some not, end up in the wilderness and are tortured and killed by some backwoods lunatics. This has started to make a comeback in recent years with films like 'Wrong Turn 1, 2, and 3' and the upcoming remake of 'Mother's Day,' so this little slice of the genre hasn't died out yet. Back in the 1980s there were a few decent examples of this that could be found on the video store shelves. One was directed by John Hough who would go on to make the mediocre 'Howling IV: The Original Nightmare,' but this film would fare much better.
After being released from an institution, a young woman (Sarah Torgov) joins her husband (Mark Ericksen) and their friends on a vacation. They run into some trouble with their plane and have to land on an island. They come across an old house, which is deserted...or is it? The inside of the house looks like something out of the 1920s, which is nothing compared to the family that lives there. At first Ma (Yvonne De Carlo) and Pa (Rod Steiger) give them a warm welcome, but after meeting the rest of the family (Janet Wright, Michael J. Pollard, and William Hootkins) things start to go sour. The "kids" say they want to play, but no one can survive what they have in mind.
This was one of those movies I rented as a kid just for the artwork. Often times that ends up being a big mistake, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. Not that 'American Gothic' is a must see film, but if it's movies about homicidal families you like then you could do much worse. There's enough goodies here to make this little film worth a look. Also worth a look for fans of icons like Yvonne De Carlo, Rod Steiger, and Michael J. Pollard.
The material is pretty standard stuff, but the actors rise above that. Everyone gives it their best and seems to be having fun, especially the actors playing the family. And though not original, the initial premise has potential. Having the kids portrayed by adults who think they're about 12 years old was a good idea, but unfortunately the good ideas aren't taken to their full potential. Whether that's due to the low budget, a tight schedule, or a mediocre script I don't know, but it is a shame. Filmed in British Columbia, Canada, the film features some really beautiful scenery. The shots from the plane are especially lovely.
Some are off screen, but the kills that are seen are memorable. They're also creative and very bloody. This is one twisted bunch of people. Speaking of that, there are also a lot of really disturbing moments and images that'll be tough to shake. I won't give any away, but let's just say there are some humdingers here. The movie as a whole really has a creepy vibe about it, which lasts until the very end. But as I said, this film isn't all too special and has some serious flaws that bring it down a couple notches.
The most glaring flaw is the first fifteen minutes. They drag like you wouldn't believe and it almost made me want to fast forward, but since this is where the two main characters and their friends are introduced you might as well bare with it. Speaking of the friends, none of them are developed enough for us to get to know them. The actors playing the roles do fine, but can't give the characters any real depth. Thank goodness Cynthia and Jeff are fleshed out enough so that we don have someone to care about.
There's really nothing here you haven't seen before. If you've seen others film of this ilk then you'll find a lot of familiar stuff here. But I guess the filmmakers weren't trying to break new ground and instead wanted to try their hand at making a film of this kind. They did an admirable job and like I said you could certainly do much worse. The film is available on DVD, so if you really are interested in seeing it then I do recommend it, if only slightly.
***/*****
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