In Stephen King’s book Danse Macabre, he talks about horror in books and movies and why we are so drawn to these themes and stories. It’s a great book by a master of the genre. He talks about many movies in the course of the book and there’s a big appendix at the back with some recomended viewing. This Hallowe’en I picked some movies from this list to watch and share with you.
Starring: Kirk Douglas, John Cassavetes, Amy Irving, Carrie Snodgrass, Andrew Stevens.
Director: Brian De Palma
An ex-CIA agent (Douglas) has to team up with a college girl (Irving) who has psychic powers when his son Robin is kidnapped by a rogue group within the government. This group plans to use the powers of teenagers as a weapon, but the fury that lives inside Robin might kill everybody if his dad can’t rescue him in time.
Based on a book that feels so emblematic of the horror thrillers that were being churned out in the late 70’s, this has a solid director and cast which feels funny with this intense, out there plot. What is this film and how did they get these names together to make it? Well, I guess that these kinds of plots and ideas were just super popular then.
I did enjoy this film. It’s a little slow compared to more recent horror or thrillers, but I liked the style and look of the whole film. It’s really of it’s time and I had never heard of this film before, so I wasn’t completely sure where it was going. It’s a bit like Carrie but less bloody and more governmenty, and has a lot in common with King’s story Firestarter that was made into a film with a young Drew Barrymore. You can see why King recommends this one then.
Not as colourful as some of the films this month, this one is more of a paranormal thriller than a all our horror, but I think the acting and direction is good and it’s a bit of a nostalgia trip. Worth watching just for the late 70’s hair and clothes.
Scale Of Scary: 4/10 More of a thriller than a horror, though there is some violence and supernatural themes.
Wildfire Movies 
That’s one I haven’t seen in a long time!
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It’s a bit of a forgotten one
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And strange that it is forgotten. De Palma was BIG, back in those days. He directed the first film version of Carrie, and Al Pacino in Scarface. Major movies of the time.
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Very true
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I have to admit that I can’t remember much about this film. I have seen it, that I know, but it’s so long ago that I hardly remember it at all. Might have to revisit it at some point. As always great post! 😀
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Thank you! It was a totally new one to me, but quite a fun watch because of its era and tone.
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