Best Worst Movie (2009)

A look at the making of the film Troll 2 (1990) and its journey from being crowned the "worst film of all time" to a cherished cult classic.

Director:

Michael Paul Stephenson

Stars:

George Hardy, Lily Hardy, Pita Ray

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Hardy	...	Self / Interviewee - Actor
Lily Hardy	...	Self / Interviewee
Pita Ray	...	Self / Interviewee
Micki Knox	...	Self / Interviewee
Tommy Bice	...	Self / Interviewee - Superintendent, Alexander City Schools
Lila Graves	...	Self / Interviewee - George's Friend
Laura Gulledge	...	Self / Interviewee - George's Friend
Merry Hardy	...	Self / Interviewee - George's Ex-Wife
Barbara H. Young	...	Self / Interviewee - Mayor of Alexander City
Mary Ann Hardy	...	Self / Interviewee - George's Mother
Wade Jones	...	Self / Interviewee - Convenience Store Owner
Bill Hardy	...	Self / Interviewee - George's Father
Mollie Barrett	...	Self / Interviewee - George's Sister
Michael Paul Stephenson	...	Self - Actor, Director
Jason Steadman	...	Self / Interviewee - Actor

Storyline

In 1989, unwitting Utah actors starred in the undisputed Worst Movie in History: TROLL 2. Two decades later, the legendarily inept film's child star unravels the improbable, heartfelt story of an Alabama dentist-turned-cult movie icon and an Italian filmmaker who come to terms with this genuine, internationally revered cinematic failure.

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Plot Keywords:

making of | fandom | midnight movie | actor | actress | 

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Taglines:

The Story Behind The Worst Movie Ever Made - "Troll 2"

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Michael Paul Stephenson came up with the documentary when he was getting into filmmaking, and knowing that Troll 2 (1990) had a massive fan base.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
George Hardy: I was in a movie called Troll 2.

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Connections

Featured in Half in the Bag: Neil Breen's 5 Film Retrospective and Rawhead Rex (2020)

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Soundtracks

Carol of the Bells
(uncredited)
Composed by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych

User Reviews

Where the heck is Creedence?

Although I love Troll 2, I cannot concur with the general consensus that it is even close to the "worst movie ever made." (For that honor, you have to look at something that takes itself really seriously, with pretenses to high art, like a "film" by Godard). Troll 2 is a nutty little comedy with a ridiculous plot, silly dialog and amateurish costumes, and, as such, I really enjoyed it. It's fun.

IMHO, the main fault of this good-natured and generally excellent documentary is its failure to mention Deborah Reed, whose way over-the-top portrayal of veggie villainess and hippie druid Queen "Creedence Leonor Gielgud" is the wacky heart of the movie. She morphs from maniac priestess to gorgeous Elvira-like vamp whose hotness can literally pop corn (in the film's most overtly comic scene). Did Deborah Reed ask to be excluded from the documentary? (She does have an incomplete website). Was there a conflict between the documentary's creator and the actress? The documentary's failure to make any mention of Reed causes a real WTF moment. Anyway, Deborah was a doll, full of manic comic energy, and I was surprised to see that her career as a film actress seems to be limited to Troll 2. What happened to her? We want to know! But all-in-all, I am very grateful for Troll 2, and for Michael Stephenson's delightful documentary. Both of these films have made my life a marginally happier place. Bravo! And hang in there Margo! I really sympathize with your feelings about crappy neighbors!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

14 March 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Best Worst Movie

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,503, 25 April 2010

Gross USA:

$109,895

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$109,895

Company Credits

Production Co:

OJO Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1