[
6]
Savage Water
Savage Water, for a time, seemed like the holy grail of bad slasher films. I had been failing miserably to track it down for so long, until Vinegar Syndrome came to my rescue. But even that release got pulled. Luckily I was still able to gain one of those copies. I was actually hugely surprised at how well it starts; the film conveys a genuine awe and respect of the environment evocative of Deliverance. Sadly from the introduction of the tourists the film becomes a mess of stereotypes, clichés, horrific acting, inane dialogue, eventually culminating in the worst death scenes, all of which destroy any kind of headway the film was making. You can’t help wondering if the slasher elements were tacked on at the last minute for commercial reasons. I’m glad I got to see it, and it didn’t disappoint, it’s just as horrible as its reputation suggests.
[
7]
Death By Invitation
This was a genuine surprise. It doesn’t seem to have many fans, has a pretty low rating at many an aggregate based site, I would never have gone out of my way to watch this had it not been included as part of a double feature on a DVD with Savage Water. What a gem it is, overflowing with atmosphere, featuring a hugely captivating opening that deliriously pulsates throughout. It’s clearly a low budget production, but they manage to accentuate what they have. There are some poor performances, but Shelby Leverington is chillingly compulsive viewing. It’s one of those cult 70s gems whose worth has been masked by those looking for cheap thrills and scares, overlooking this slow burning psychedelic potboiler.
[
8]
The Initiation Of Sarah
I’ve found myself in recent years checking out a lot of made for TV movies from the late 70s and early 80s. There are some really interesting finds, so when Scream Factory announced a double pack, I was hopeful it could lead to more, sadly that doesn’t seem to be the case. It’s not all bad news though, both of the films are interesting, and well worth watching. The Initiation Of Sarah is very clearly Carrie inspired, a little obvious and ever so slightly twee at times, but features some great performances, from those established like Shelley Winters, to those who would go on to find success later, like Morgan Fairchild. It’s the performances that hold your attention, but the hokey plot and theatrics are really enjoyable.
[
9]
Are You In The House Alone?
The poster for Are You In The House Alone gives a false impression, suggesting something along the lines of When A Stranger Calls, or Don’t Answer The Phone. It’s a far more subdued drama, which does venture into rape territory. However, the attitudes to rape at the time are far more shocking than anything else on display in the film. It’s well made, with endearing characters (Kathleen Beller’s wide-eyed performance in particular is empathetic), and very watchable. It’s interesting to see a young Dennis Quaid and the type of role he played this early in his career.