We find ourselves venturing into a microcosm of the horror realm, yes it obviously deals with the subject of the title and while this movie isn’t about a phobia (formidophobia) of this nonentity it is not the first film to dive into this category that would be Dark Night of the Scarecrow [1981] with the credit nod to screenwriter J.D. Feigelson for ‘Killer Scarecrow’. While the scarecrow in general is to ward off crows, it often finds itself as a representation of fear into many, these don’t appear as The Wizard of Oz (1939), rather creepily designed while only one film had the usage as a form of rhythmic therapeutic arousal mannerisms namely in Pearl [2022]. As for the curious there’s quite a few movies in the exclusive club, while some connect directly to the theme which is about 10-films but roughly 44-movies have close association to this topic, just depends how one wants to interpret their classifying. William Wesley (Route 666 [2001]) had his first inspiration for a horror film by using a novel central theme figure that of a scarecrow, but with very few funds but big on his project strive forward and made an effective horror movie that still entertains very well. He actually found solid footing in the diverse year of 1988 within the horror genre, yes the slasher subgenre was still cranking the franchises but overall it was waning fast, so there plenty diversity from a creature feature of Pumpkinhead to the bug infestation of both The Nest and Slugs, with an art-house vampiric lore in the form of The Lair of White Worm and one devious possessed doll named Chucky in Child’s Play; easily a time to find several eyeballs willing to rent one’s movie in the fame video stores of then. The script moves along well with one other screenwriter beside Wesley which was Richard Jefferies (Bloodtide [1982]), although three others provided additional dialogue Larry Stamper, Stephen Gerard, and Marcus Crowder.
As the scant 83-minute film opens, already mid-flight group of paramilitary soldiers turned crooks have stolen Camp Pendleton’s $3 million payroll and then hijacked a private plane as their getaway vehicle. Along the way the audience hears important news broadcasts giving important backstory information. However, one golden rule drifts into effect, there is no honor among thieves, as Bert (B.J. Turner) tosses a grenade towards the front of the plane bails out with the cash. The rest of his former buddies quickly diffused as the grenade situation, and they order their hostage pilots Al (David Campbell) and his daughter Kellie (Victoria Christian) to land immediately to reclaim the money and eliminate Bert, who landed at an abandoned farm who starts to encounter a series of problems. Due to budget constraints the scarecrow monsters make their presence known subtly never sprung upon the invaders in a hurry, they await the opportunity in the third act. A strange scene occurs when Beret finds a pickup truck and the money attempting to drive through the cornfields, as the vehicle suddenly stops and he realizes there was no engine, it is never explained. The film transitions to the remaining thieves Jack (Richard Vidan), Curry (Michael Simms) and Corbin (Ted Vernon) in pursuit who him talking incoherent add to puzzlement of why he continues to giveaway his position unbeknownst to them taunting chatter coming from within the stalks. They enclose on the farmhouse at the center of the location, with Bert nonchalant returning no words spoken as his beaten by them only to discover his wounds were filled with the money his eventually is very gruesome and thoroughly strange, taking page from The Thing [1982]. Other odd but curious sights involving a money bag caught in a tree raining down blood and guts, stabbing in the head, dismemberment, and much more that should drive curiosity among the gorehounds, except forewarned much of it is in the shadows. In addition, the scarecrows seem to have the ability to use both working walkie-talkie and broken phones to communicate by mimicking the voices of the living, which suggests both demonic possessions and the Scarecrows mindless living dead creatures, but rather something much sinister. While inside the house it is hinted that some sort of ritual lead to the Fowler family, original residents, to become living scarecrows the reason why and how goes unanswered no one no asks the questions, though they might be growing the growing their family through the death and destruction of others.
Let’s understand one key factor that drags the film downward, it’s heavily layered with dialogue, which is at times clunky for the actors to slug through, a little more action sequences would have worked to strong beneficial standpoint. The scenes near the fields and scarecrows do work effectively provide a sense of paranoia which leads to the mental breakdown between former team members does add some suspense. However, Norman Cabrera truly invested quality time in creating a menacing demeanor for the scarecrows, even with their limited screentime. The filmmakers made sure to give the special mercenary group all the latest tools plenty of ammo, night vision goggles, and limited loyalty to each other and the mission. The cinematography works well to confuse the viewers with the long shadows from the corn stalks while film from low angles and just barely eye-level making sure they see the visual damage inflicted upon each victim.
I was quite pleased that Scarecrows had some effective creepy scenes while clearly low budget, but Wesley worked to overcome the financial shortcomings; though is does falter at times losing the unique spookiness as the film moves along yet does strive to convey how fate can pay a part in anyone lives. It is by the third act the film becomes more of a slasher with various farming tools deployed to displace the living, skipping all the mysteriousness that had captured the viewers’ attention. There’s never any direct information on why the scarecrows live and work to splatter-slaughter anyone, human or animal who crosses into their domain, just an indirect nod to black magic. Therefore, the film works to grow on the viewers with more brutal slayings.
Footnote: For the horror fans ideally curious about this niche subgenre fret not here’s a partial list of some scarecrow themed flicks Dark Harvest (1992), Night of the Scarecrow (1995), Scarecrow [2002], Dark Harvest [2004] Video), Hallowed Ground [2007], Husk [2011], The Scarecrow [2013], and Scarecrows [2017].
TAGLINES:
- They Only Want A Brain … Yours.
- Trespassers will be violated.
- Trespassers will be mutilated.
- When it comes to terror they’re in a field of their own
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096046/
IMDb Rating: 5.4/10
Baron’s Rating: 5.0/10