Sadly this 1983 horror film did not get a whole lot of attention or gets talked about. Writer/Director Avery Crounse does show he has some skill as some great creepy imagery does come across the screen. This being his directorial debut he went on to direct only two other movies. Perhaps if this film performed better he may have been able to carve out more of a film-making career.
A preacher (Dennis Lipscomb) is nearly hanged for adultery and polygamy. He escapes death by the skin of his teeth thanks to the assistance of one of his lovers in Leah (Karlene Crockett). So a gang of pioneers leaves the town to start a new life on their own. After narrowly missing attacks from Native Americans they decide to go to land others do not want to venture towards. It is here that things do start to go haywire for the group. But, not in typical fashion as Crounse does bring some freshness with his approach to telling this story. At the same time that may have hurt the film's ability to stay in the public's mind starting back in 1983 as I believe the film did make money at the box office and was not a flop. Slow-moving, but that is deliberate to allow the story to take hold and shape itself.
A more modern film that does have some similarities to this film is THE WITCH (2015), which I would recommend and thought was even better than this one.
So, give this rare early-80s horror flick a chance if you can find it and at least give it a viewing.
A preacher (Dennis Lipscomb) is nearly hanged for adultery and polygamy. He escapes death by the skin of his teeth thanks to the assistance of one of his lovers in Leah (Karlene Crockett). So a gang of pioneers leaves the town to start a new life on their own. After narrowly missing attacks from Native Americans they decide to go to land others do not want to venture towards. It is here that things do start to go haywire for the group. But, not in typical fashion as Crounse does bring some freshness with his approach to telling this story. At the same time that may have hurt the film's ability to stay in the public's mind starting back in 1983 as I believe the film did make money at the box office and was not a flop. Slow-moving, but that is deliberate to allow the story to take hold and shape itself.
A more modern film that does have some similarities to this film is THE WITCH (2015), which I would recommend and thought was even better than this one.
So, give this rare early-80s horror flick a chance if you can find it and at least give it a viewing.