Donner Pass (2012)

Donner Pass has a well-known and macabre history - the place where George Donner and his party got stuck in the winter of 1846 and were forced to resort to cannibalism to keep from starving. But what if it wasn't just history?

Director:

Elise Robertson

Writers:

R. Scott Adams (story), R. Scott Adams,

Stars:

Elise Robertson, Russ Russo, Joel Stoffer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elise Robertson	...	Dead Mother
Russ Russo	...	Jed
Joel Stoffer	...	Robert
Thomas Kopache	...	Reed
Luca Bovelli	...	Boy
Eric Pierpoint	...	George Donner
Colley Bailey	...	Mike
Erik Stocklin	...	Thomas
Adelaide Kane	...	Nicole
Desiree Hall	...	Kayley
Desiray Ortiz	...	Waitress
Kevin P. Kearns	...	Carter (as Kevin Kearns)
Andrew Reyes	...	Gullible SUV driver
Dominic DeVore	...	Derek
Brandon Morales	...	A.J.

Storyline

Donner Pass has a well-known and macabre history - the place where George Donner and his party got stuck in the winter of 1846 and were forced to resort to cannibalism to keep from starving. But what if it wasn't just history?

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Plot Keywords:

donner party | cannibal | curse | donner pass

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Genres:

Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for bloody horror violence, language, a sexual assault, nudity and teen drinking

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 November 2012 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Cannibal Rising

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

At around 20 minutes into the film, Nichole is accused of texting her boyfriend as the group of friends has received the final instructions to get to Thomas's house. And yet, later none of the cell phones have "bars" or reception to call for help.

User Reviews

Run-of-the-mill slasher thriller

I have no idea why this film is classified as a horror. It's a slow-paced borderline thriller with a bit of slasher material. It's ordinary and unoriginal, but still somewhat watchable at least.

The film makers had no intentions of making historically accurate statements regarding the real story of the Donner party. It's a shame, because true accounts of the incident can readily be found in any library or online. A more comprehensible and effective horror story could have been woven from actual facts. Hear Me, producers? A little homework could have made for a more believable movie.

What we have is a movie based loosely around supposed local legends. The plot is mostly able to be followed, yet bizarre and insensible. Thus, the film staggers about stupidly like an old drunk spouting tall tales.

I did like a few moments of the camera work and set and there's beautiful scenery at times. It's unmistakably low-budget, but manages a few nice shots. In large though, the camera work is an amateur production, just shy of shoddy.

There's sexuality and heavy drinking in this movie, plus partial frontal nudity in one scene, so this is not for young eyes. There is gore, but it's no where near as disgusting as the gore you'll find in similar films that have came out recently. It's more on par with the Nightmare on Elm Street movies.

I am unimpressed, but do NOT feel that the experience was a total waste of time given My original expectations for it.