Cry for the Strangers (TV Movie 1982) Poster

(1982 TV Movie)

User Reviews

Review this title
9 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
6/10
There's got to be a reason for what's going on here. What if there isn't? Then I'll find one!
sol-kay3 November 2012
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** Planing to stay at quiet and scenic Clark's Harbor for the summer psychiatrist Dr. Brad Russell and his wife Eline, Patrick Duffy & Cindy Pickett, are a bit taken back about how unfriendly everyone in the town is towards them; That from the police chief Whalen, Brian Keith,on down. It's not long that Brad & Elaine feel that the place is not for them and plan to got back home to Seattle. It's when Brad later spots a friend of his from Seattle there Glen Palmer, Lawrence Pressman, that he decides to stay. It's Glen's young son Robby, Shawn Carson, whom Brad was treating for his emotional problems back home that got him interested in staying. Not to continue to treat him but to find out what made Robby so normal almost overnight!

It doesn't take long for Brad to realize that the once overactive and uncontrollable Robby is not as normal as he seems to be. It's for some strange reason the violent ocean storms that hit the town that seem to quite the boy down. Storms that seem to come out of nowhere and left those who aren't natives to Clark Harbor dead in their wake!

So-so horror or supernatural made for TV movie with a double twist ending that instead of explaining what's been going on in it confuses the issue even more. People, or strangers considered by those living there, who moved into Cark Harbor over the last 30 or so years Brad finds out suffered horrible and in most cases unexplainable deaths. It's old man Riley, Jeff Corey, an nutty beachcomber in the town who warned the couple ,Brad & Elaine,to get out of town before they end up dead themselves. In his trying to warn the away Riley ended up dead himself.

***MAJOR SPOILERS*** We finally find out what's been going in at Clark Harbor in the films Storm and wind swept final moments. It did have something to do with what happened to a person who's living there when he was a little boy which we saw at the very beginning of the movie. Something that had him searching for answers, that eventually ended up driving him insane, all his adult life! And in the end when the truth finally came out we in the audience as well as the cast of the movie were in for quite a shock!
1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
5/10
Lock the darn window!
JohnSeal12 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Bearded psychiatrist Dr. Brad Russell (Patrick Duffy) has just moved to the remote coastal town of Clark's Harbor with dutiful wife Elaine (Cindy Pickett). Things are a bit strange from the get-go, as they learn that their neighbours will include the family of one of Brad's former juvenile patients, Robby Parker (Shawn Carson). The fact that a local fisherman then shows up dead in his own net seems to seal the spooky deal, as does the story of local loony Riley(Jeff Corey), who informs the Russells in best method acting style that the town's beach once served as the site of sacrifices made by a now extinct tribe of Indians. The balance of the film consists of three things: ominous stock footage of storm clouds rolling in, Robby's nightly trips to the storm-lashed beach (ostensibly to search for the family mutt) via his bedroom window, which never seems to be locked or secured, and gauzy shots of ghostly Native Americans dancin' the night away. There's a 'surprise ending' that won't surprise anyone who's seen more than one or two fright flicks and plenty of screaming. As unambitious as it is, though, this is a perfectly enjoyable Movie of the Week filled with familiar faces like Brian Keith, Martin Kove, and Parley Baer. Perfect late night viewing on a cold winter's night, as long as you keep expectations in check.
1 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
couldn't they have picked a BETTER john saul book to make into a movie?
triple823 April 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Forgettable movie adaptation of a mediocre book by John Saul, an incredibly talented writer of atmospheric horrors/thrillers. Saul,A master of scary novels has some books that are as good or better then King. So-there comes the questions:1)why haven't more of his books been adapted to movies? and 2) why was the ONE book picked cry for the strangers?

This story is big on atmosphere I'll give it that but aside from that I wouldn't say it's memorable in the least-and I have been a big fan of Saul. I never even made it fully through the book. The strange thing is, every other-or practically of saul's stories is better. So you gotta wonder:who on earth picked this one?

The movie is just another thriller. I think more books should be adapted by Saul, a great writer on many levels. When I think of the great ones I think:"comes the blind fury","punish the sinners", and "The god project" to name a few. all of which would have made superb movies.
8 out of 11 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
Very bad.
jamesroyhold24 December 2017
Overall plot is a rip-off of "The Fog." The special effects are lifted from Roger Corman-Vincent Price Poe movies (same shots of rolling clouds and lightning endlessly repeated). The two kids can't act; I think the boy was chosen because he could make his eyes real big. Duffy is surprisingly okay. Easy to figure out who's the villain, just look for who isn't around when things happen.
5 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Pretty Darn Good Movie
Rainey-Dawn22 January 2017
"I'm A Cop, Not A Witch Doctor". ~ Chief Whalen

Dr. Brad Russell and his wife decide to movie to a nice little coastal town of Clark's Harbor. Seems like a nice place to live although some of the people aren't overly friendly it's still a seemingly alright place to live - it's beautiful and the house is nice. Soon enough one person turns up dead, then another - this happens every time a storm rolls in off the sea. There is an old Indian legend around time but as Chief Whalen says 'legends don't kill people'. Is it ghosts? Is it a crazy murderer? Or is it all a series coincidences?

Very atmospheric: storms, fog, dark nights, suspenseful moments, murder. This one is a pretty darn good TV movie. I really enjoyed it.

8/10
7 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
First and only John Saul adaptation
notail9919 July 2001
Saw this on UK TV some years back - just as my interest in John Saul reached a peak.

Not a bad film, really - considering the TV-movie limitations imposed on it - but not so great either.

If you like John Saul give it a go - otherwise......don't bother.
6 out of 12 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Makes you not want to live in a small town.
OllieSuave-00716 July 2018
Patrick Duffy stars as a doctor who moves to a small town with his wife, where they experience strange events taking place and a sinister presence dwelling there. Seems like the entire town's out to get them.

It's based on a novel by John Saul, known for his mixture of mystery, horror, and diabolical genres.

Not a bad TV movie - has plenty of suspense and even some jump-out-at-you moments to keep you on the edge of your seat. The acting was a little cheesy at times, particularly that of the two children. But, the plot was well-paced and the overall movie was quite entertaining.

Grade B
3 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
"I'm A Cop, Not A Witchdoctor!"...
azathothpwiggins15 September 2022
CRY FOR THE STRANGERS opens with a grim, sepia-toned flashback sequence set in1937. Mysterious deaths occur -near a huge seaside house- that set up what is to come.

45 years later, in the same small town, Brad and Elaine Russell (Patrick Duffy and Cindy Pickett) move into the very same house from the opening. This doesn't seem to sit well with some folks, but other than that, all appears to be fine.

That is, until they witness the deadly outcome of what's said to be "another accident". The Russell's soon discover that whatever's going on has something to do with a local superstition.

This made-for-TV horror film is packed with foreboding weirdness and ghoulish goulash. Based on a book by John Saul, it takes full advantage of his particular style of storytelling. The supernatural factor is off the charts, and the "unexplained" thunderstorms start about every two minutes!

Actually, it's not bad at all. For lovers of spooky shenanigans and "surprise revelation" endings!...
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
One of the worst of the worst. Early 80's mediocrity.
insomniac_rod13 August 2004
Boring early 80's ghost film. In the likes of "Poltergeist" this movie tried to copy the winning elements that made the fore-mentioned film a classic in the genre.

Cheesy f/x, bad acting, and confusing scenes make this a terrible horror movie. The "strangers" appearance is a good moment as the scene is kind of creepy but then the movie fails to create scary moments. Watch "Poltergeist II" instead of this crap.

Patrick Duffy is the best thing about it no doubt about it.

2/10. At least it made a little effort.
6 out of 31 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed