The ultimate drive-in movie and the first non-pornographic film to earn an X rating due to its graphic scenes of gore and violence. Sure, by today's standards this is all old hat, but I could only imagine the audiences reaction when this first hit the screen 4 decades ago. Also notable for being one of the first films to draw inspiration from the 'Manson Family', which was still fresh in the minds of the public at the time of its release. Awesome 'wah-wahs' in the theme!
2) The Deathmaster (1972
The second film on this list to draw inspiration from the infamous 'Tate/LaBianca slayings' and enigmatic cult "guru" Charles Manson. This time around though, the Manson figure is actually an ancient vampire by the name of Khorda played by none other than Count Yorga himself, Robert Quarry! Yet another early 70's drive-in gem and like I Drink Your Blood, also has kick ass 'wah-wahs' in the theme!
Depending on whether or not you believe all the bullshit the media has spewed out for the last 40 or so years in regards to Charles Manson and his "hypnotic powers", one thing is certain, Jim Van Bebber's cult masterpiece, 'The Manson Family' is a lo-fi tour-de-force sure to captivate fans of 80's style cult cinema (Street Trash, Bad Taste, The Evil Dead) with its over the top gore and rapid fire editing.
4) Race With the Devil (1975)
After Peter Fonda and Warren Oates stumble upon a Satanic human sacrifice somewhere out in the sticks, Race With the Devil turns into one of the ultimate 1970's drive-in chase flicks with the duo being relentlessly pursued by a satanic cult throughout the Texas landscape. Mandatory.
Awesome documentary about the Manson Family with tons of interviews and footage of the family at their Spahn Ranch hideout as well as Devil's Canyon and Barker Ranch (Death Valley).
Honorable Mentions:
The Wicker Man (1973)
The Believers (1987)
God Told Me To (1976)
I eagerly anticipated "The Manson Family" for years...having only rumor, legend, and Download's amaze (yet rejected?!?) soundtrack to go by, and was thoroughly disappoint, son! When I saw the cheap home-movie with fake lookin blood and unappealing poor actors...100% meh on that jalopy. THEY DIDN'T EVEN USE THE DOWNLOAD SOUNDTRACK...WHICH IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS EVER!!!! srsly. check it out sometime...to me it plays like the white album plays to mildly stoned bourgeois suburbanites. Anyway...I could make a better movie than "Manson Family".
ReplyDeleteI know what your saying about the "home movie" thing. I felt the same way. I actually went into it expecting that so I guess I was a bit prepared for it. For me, the movie's appeal is more in the sense that it comes off as some sort of low budget 80's splat-fest. The film has the same sort of vibe as Street Trash or something Troma would've released in those days. I definitely wasn't expecting any sort of award winning period piece, but I completely understand where you're coming from. I'll have to check out that Download soundtrack you mentioned.
ReplyDelete"death valley '69" by richard kern is a much better film, even, and its basically an art-house abstraction. I like your other choices here, and yr. blog in general :-) I hold out hope that one day someone will compose the ultimate drug-soaked, mystical, psychedelic xxx manson flick. until then... I lurk in the shadows and bide my time....
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