PDA

View Full Version : Scalps (1983)


Gluttony
12-07-2004, 04:17 PM
Has anyone seen this vintage Fred Olen Ray classic?

The story concerns a group of kids who go up to the mountains for an archeological dig and end up either being possessed by the spirit of the mountains or being killed in various bloody ways.

The atmosphere is intended to be the in the vein of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes. It succeeds with a cool amateur look and the grizzly killings give it a snuff feel at times. Plus, the actors are all horrible, there's a lot of ranting and raving, and some of the best timing in dialogue I've EVER heard.

For Instance:

Indian- "Don't go past the black trees."

One of the kids turns towards the standing codger.

Kid- "What old timer?"

The old man walks towards them.

Indian- "I must sit down."

It doesn't fit, but it's actually pretty funny. The effects are bad, the style is tacky and unrefined, there's a random lion man, and an downbeat ending. Completely bipolar effort is actually a lot of fun!

7/10

Romero&Juliet
12-07-2004, 09:45 PM
I happen to love it.. the fact that Fred Olen Ray ACTUALLY made this is a feat in itself.. the was a bit of atmosphere and I think he milked the setting really well.

It has been a while, though, sadly. If it weren't for the bad DVD cover I'd have bought it already. :)

the dead one
12-07-2004, 10:00 PM
I did a review of "Scalps" because its a worthy film, in the tradition of "Evil Dead", that and I dig Fred! The DVD cover was one of the original movie posters used to promote the film...an underrated classic! Check it out!!!

http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81575

dan draven
12-09-2004, 02:50 PM
This does look like a good one. I will have to take a view of that and realy get into it.