High Desert Kill

Three guys (2 buddies and the nephew of their dead friend) go on a hunting trip that happens every year. They meet up with always good Chuck Connors who plays expert hunter Stan Brown. He tells them there is no game anywhere, but the three brush it off and go off on their hunting expedition anyway. But once the hot female campers disappear and they catch themselves eating some raw bear it's time to hit the road Jack, but they find out it's not that easy.

Now, there really is some mystery shrouding the story, some good music throughout and Chuck Connors is good and not wasted. Yet the execution on the story needed to be reworked I thought in order for this to hit the mark. The final act works best, but the opening act is bad. As well there is this evil or bad guy P.O.V. while the characters are sleeping that is down right cheesy and not scary at all. It gets old real fast, but they keep going to it during the movie. Also starring Marc Singer.

I did wonder when watching this movie though how many days were they planning to go without a change of clothes? Did they not bring any with them?

Close, but not close enough 5/10

Possibly the finest film I have ever seen. After receiving this movie from my brother for my birthday along with "Air Disasters 2" from a dollar bin at a 49er video, my expectations were low. However, the movie started off with a bang and engulfed me into its majesty.

In the first scene it punches you in the mouth with the classic, "What can I say? Men bond; women network." Followed up by a man receiving a gun in a gym and pointing it at pedestrians walking outside on the street. "All right. Good deal!" Just when you think the hits have stopped coming you get kicked in the ca-hones with, "Good god, if I wanted to hear old women bicker, I'd go visit my great aunt --- AT THE NURSING HOME!" Which promptly led to possibly the greatest cinematic sequence of all time, which we will simply refer to as 'campfire madness'.

If you have not seen this movie yet, do as the immortal actor Chuck Conner, who plays Stan the Mountain Man says --- "Go on. Take a look. RARRRRRRR, rip you open like a sack of manure!"

Compared to a lot of the Horror movies today, many may find this story rather slow and feel that 'not a lot happens' But, for me personally, this is one of my favourite kinds of older Horror/Sci Fi films. I've always had a real soft spot in my heart for this particular one, so I may favour it more than most (I personally would have given it an '8', but I think people on average would probably not like it quite as much as I do, so I just gave it a '7' : )

The absolute standout in this movie is that it is ***ALL*** about Atmosphere and Mood. I thought the soundtrack was very effective too and adds a lot to the feel of the film. Also, I feel another thing that makes this movie appealing is the strong Mystery factor. I mean, even from the beginning you're wondering, 'What the hell is going on!'

I like the way it starts with the ancient Native American village and that really sets the tone for the entire story. The acting is nothing to get too worked up about, although good ol' Chuck Conners does a nice job with his role. The rest are okay, they get the job done, but no Oscars will be forthcoming, especially since it was made in 1989 :D

I really liked the increasing sense of Mystery and dread. Along with the people the audience gets the tension ratcheted up little by little as they begin to question their own perceptions and even they own sanity. There is not really very much in the way of special effects or anything super visual, it is really old-school that way. I also particularly like movies where they play with your sense of reality (and in this case the reality of the characters) where you are not quite sure as to what is real and what isn't. To me that adds an extra layer of suspense.

Actually, the reason why I say this is a 'Throwback' is because even though it is made in 1989, it still is strongly reminiscent of many of the Telefilms made around 1973 or thereabouts. And, this is most definitely a Telefilm. You can tell by the 4x3 framing (full screen) and the obvious breaks for commercials. So, as you likely know, it is VERY tough to make a truly effective Horror Telefilm, especially back at that time, with the limitations that come with television. Thus the reason I feel strongly that this movie is made very well and is quite effective for a Horror telefilm. In mood and atmosphere it kind of reminds me of another very effective and scary telefilm made in 1973 starring the great Eli Wallach and Robert Culp called 'A COLD NIGHT'S DEATH' Another outstanding example of the use of mood, atmosphere, and sound design to build to a pretty effective Horror movie - in that movie's case, it is more psychological, a tad more scary, and a bit better made, and of course with A-List actors.

So, I would say, don't go into this movie expecting a lot of action or effects or intense violence that is indicative of many of the Horror films today. But, like I mention in my title above, this is a nice old-fashioned throwback with I feel excellent atmosphere and mood, and just a little touch of Science Fiction. If you appreciate older, slower building films like this, then you might enjoy this one.

First the good news."High Desert Kill" is what bad movies are supposed to be, and I guess that's good. Now for the bad news. You will absolutely be mesmerized by the pathetic acting by everyone involved, including Chuck Conners. It's like they just got the script the day of shooting. All the animals are gone and human behavior is being altered by some unseen force. Now just sort of wing it for ninety minutes. Keep the audience guessing or put them to sleep, or both. This movie is what it is, and what it is, is bad. The only redeeming feature is the eerie New Mexico landscape, but you could buy a postcard and save ninety minutes of your life. "High Desert Kill" is a keeper for all the wrong reasons, sort of a gold standard for the worst of the worst. - MERK

Four men in the desert, on a hunting trip. But something is watching them... and affecting their moods/behaviour...

The cast are good - particularly Chuck Connors and Marc Singer - and the story pulls the viewer in, right from the start. Some of the odd behaviour (like the orgy with the two 'hippy girls') is a genuinely weird viewing experience. But it works because, just like the characters, you are constantly wondering 'what the heck is going on?'

None of the characters are particularly likeable. Deliberately so. And the points made about male bonding and friendship are well observed. There's plenty of tension and a small amount of action. It's never dull or boring, there is always something new/interesting happening. And the ending is good. Both the way the surviving characters use to escape, and the twist in the final seconds.

One of the first TV movies made for USA Network.