The Final Terror (1983)

A group of rangers go camping on unfamiliar forest grounds. All's well until the group members start getting killed by a cunning killer in the woods.

Director:

Andrew Davis

Writers:

Jon George (screenplay), Neill D. Hicks (screenplay) (as Neill Hicks)

Stars:

John Friedrich, Adrian Zmed, Ernest Harden Jr.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Friedrich	...	Dennis Zorich
Adrian Zmed	...	Marco Cerone
Ernest Harden Jr.	...	Nathaniel Hines
Lewis Smith	...	Boone
Rachel Ward	...	Margaret
Daryl Hannah	...	Windy Morgan
Akosua Busia	...	Vanessa
Joe Pantoliano	...	Eggar
Mark Metcalf	...	Mike
Cindy Harrell	...	Melanie
Irene Sanders	...	Sammie
Richard Jacobs	...	Mr. Morgan
Donna Pinder	...	Mrs. Morgan
Jim Youngs	...	Jim
Lori Butler	...	Lori (as Lori Lee Butler)

Storyline

A group of rangers go camping on unfamiliar forest grounds. All's well until the group members start getting killed by a cunning killer in the woods.

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Plot Keywords:

slasher | camping | woods | stalker | characters killed one by one | 

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Taglines:

If you go down to the woods today you're sure of...

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shot in 1981, but was shelved when the filmmakers couldn't find a distributor right away. It wasn't until 1983 when it was released to capitalize on the rising stardom of Daryl Hannah and Adrian Zmed.

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Goofs

When the bus is seen on the bridge alone, you can tell it is daylight, when it is supposed to be dark.

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Quotes

Dennis Zorich: If you people want to survive, you better start looking and thinking like the forest.

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Alternate Versions

An alternate version titled "The Creeper" includes some alternate footage and extended scenes not found in the regular "Final Terror" version. This version was never released in the US.

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Connections

Featured in Post Terror: Finishing 'The Final Terror' (2014)

User Reviews

80s slasher completists will want to see it.

This could best be described as an adequate wilderness slasher with some effective moments. It does benefit from the atmosphere of its very woodsy environment, which is actually more of a star here than the human actors. It's creepy at times without ever being really scary. Many fans of this genre are likely to be less than satisfied because the body count is quite low, and the gore content (supplied by Kenny Myers) is likewise minimal. The main reason why "The Final Terror" would have some stature nowadays is because 1) it's a rare venture into horror for acclaimed veteran action director Andrew Davis ("Code of Silence", "Under Siege", "The Fugitive"), and 2) it's the chance to see a couple of very familiar faces in the beginning years of their careers - not, of course, that they really get a chance to show off much acting chops.

A group of male forest rangers embark on an excursion in the company of some female friends, and they soon begin to be threatened and killed by a mysterious presence in their midst.

While there are genre fans who will take exception to so many people being alive at the end, others should appreciate the fact that this movie takes the trouble to depart from some of the conventions of this sort of thing (perhaps a contribution from co-writer Ronald Shusett of "Alien" fame). For one thing, the survivors actually take proactive steps against the character whom they believe to be the killer. The one major murder set piece occurs during a bout of love making, unsurprisingly. The means of dispatching the murderer is rather ingenious, but Davis doesn't bother with an epilogue. Once this sucker is over, it's OVER. An undeniable highlight is the score by Susan Justin, which is haunting and catchy. Davis, a former cinematographer, also shot the movie himself under a pseudonym. The attack on the bus and a scene involving a dead body both work fairly well.

Among those paying their dues here are Mark Metcalf, Daryl Hannah, Rachel Ward, Adrian Zmed, Lewis Smith, and a priceless Joe "Joey Pants" Pantoliano as the volatile Eggar.

This is okay as slasher movies go, but as was said in the summary, it's mainly for completists.

One of the final films for legendary producer Samuel Z. Arkoff of A.I.P. fame.

Six out of 10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 October 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carnivore

Filming Locations:

Crescent City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arkoff International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1