Sunburst (1975)

User Rating:

3.1/10   

Director:

James Polakof

Writers:

James Keach (writer)
James Polakof (writer)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Rape is Something That Happens to Someone Else...

Plot:

A couple on vacation in the woods is stalked by a pair of rapists. |

Plot Keywords:

Rape | Independent Film

Cast

Peter Hooten	...	Robert
Kathrine Baumann	...	Jenny
Ric Carrott	...	Marshall
Anne Lockhart	...	Tina
Robert Englund	...	Michael Sutherland
Rudy Vallee	...	Proprietor
James Keach	...	Levon
David Pritchard	...	Danker
Randy Ralston	...	The Pledge
Susan McCormick	...	Susan
Peter Brown	...	The Professor

Also Known As:

Slashed Dreams (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

USA:74 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R

Movie Connections:

References Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Soundtrack:

Mornin'

Somebody PLEASE kill that singer!!!

Well, the other reviewer was right when yelling out that "Slashed Dreams" is NOT A HORROR MOVIE, but it does feature some typical exploitation trademarks. The setting is somewhat similar to the classic "Deliverance", there's the constant menace of imbecile hillbillies and, of course, the obligatory bit of sleazy images of an attractive girl skinny-dipping. So I understand how this movie ended up in the horror section of video stores, but that still doesn't tell you how irredeemably BAD it is! For the first time ever, I really can't determine the "raison d'être" of a film. Seriously, what IS the point? Is this movie supposed to teach young people that it's okay to search for the meaning of life but still always watch out for rapists? If so, that's a pretty lousy and invaluable life-lesson! Or maybe this whole production is a hiking guide to promote the rural sites of Northern California…but, of course, always watch out for rapists. The plot involves a couple as they're on their way to visit a former college friend who exchanged civilization for a spiritual life in the Californian woods. For nearly a full hour, the camera simply follows them walking up mountain paths, climbing down rocks and sleeping next to a lake! Oh, how fascinating! All this time, THE most annoying songs can be heard; performed by probably the lousiest female singer in America! It's basically the exact same song repeated 8 times, but each time the stupid lyrics are different. Eventually two local idiots rape the girl but her "heroic" friends do very little to avenge her. Then the movie ends with the couple walking towards the sunset. Have they found the meaning of life yet? Who cares! In case you're considering to rent "Slashed Dreams" because it features an early role of Robert "Freddie" Englund, well, DON'T! He only appears in the last ten minutes and his character is the biggest weakling to ever hit the screen. I guess that, after starring in this completely pointless movie, Englund decided to exclusively play villains and evil monsters. Wise choice, Robert.