Disciples of the Crow

Before the films in the "Children Of The Corn" franchise began to be made, it all started with this short film that only adapts half of the original story. It begins in an interesting way showing what would already be the beginning of the cult of children. This time they decided that the entity they adore would be represented with the image of the raven, which gives it some originality, for which the image of the raven comes to symbolize. All good, then when they introduce us to the leading couple and then nothing else. It is noted that due to the limited budget, they could not adapt the entire story and this short film ends up being a free adaptation that tells only half of the story. Even so, this was just the beginning of a horror saga that started well, but then deteriorated as more installments were released. My final rating for this short film is 6/10.

Disciples of the Crow (1983)

*** (out of 4)

Just about everyone, horror fan or not, has heard of CHILDREN OF THE CORN be it the original Stephen King story or the 1984 film, which has since gained six sequels and a remake (to date). What most people might not remember is that the 1984 film wasn't the first to adapt the King short story. This film starts off in 1971 as a child leads other children into killing all of the adults in town. Jump forward to 1983 as a couple are driving through Nebraska when they accidentally run over a kid and soon run into the evil cult. Having seen all of the CHILDREN OF THE CORN movies (including the remake) I must admit that this is the best of the bunch. Perhaps part of this is due to the fact that this runs a quick paced 18-minutes but it doesn't contain any stupid subplots and instead just delivers the goods in terms of creepy atmosphere and a rather suspenseful ending. I'm not sure what the budget was on this thing but it was obviously low and that helps the small town atmosphere that it gets. The movie has an effective music score, nice editing and just an all around great pacing. Eleese Lester does a pretty good job as Vicky and Gabriel Folse isn't too bad either as the husband. The film shares a lot more in common with the eventual 2009 remake as the husband and wife are constantly fighting and the ending here is one used in the later film. Speaking of the ending, it manages to pack a pretty good punch and makes this film worth viewing.

This is intense and well-made for a b short film. Disturbing atmosphere, somehow decent acting, and overall much better than the later films based on Children of the Corn. Well-made effects, especially the corpses and the "blue man" (hehe). The music is eerie as hell. Worth watching for any King fan.

One year before the famous adaptation of King's "Children of the Corn" from 1984, student John Woodward made this twenty-minute film. Not only was he the first to adapt the "Children of the Corn", but practically with no budget, and with amateurs and actors in their first roles, he made a horror that in some respects is even better than the franchise that followed. Although it's too short, and just when it reaches its peak it ends, Woodward manages to achieve a very effective eerie atmosphere, which is particularly difficult in a movie that takes place during the daylight, and the acting is surprisingly realistic and believable. If he only had a little more money and time this film could occupy the place where today is the movie from 1984.

7/10

I have not read Stephen King's story, and the only Children of the Crow movie I can swear to having seen is the sixth one. This short stands well on its own, without requiring knowledge of the story, though that may add something.

It's available on a German DVD as Night of the Crow, and on an out-of-print videotape titled Stephen King's Nightshift Collection. That video also has the short The Night Waiter (1987), and a "coming soon" teaser called "Highrise," supposedly from something called "Slightly Astounding Stories." I don't know that anything by that name was ever released, and it's unfortunate it lacks credits, as it is actually well done and has a funny, surreal ending. Confusingly, there is another videotape titled Stephen King's Nightshift Collection that has different shorts on it (though the box does indicate which shorts) It opens in Jonah, Oklahoma in 1971. A child with a mole on his chin has an unusual shrine in a cornfield, where is is watched by crows. He and some other children do some sort of ritual, dropping things into a boiling pot. When the kid is in church with his mother and her boyfriend, he looks at a stained glass window depicting Jesus, whose face turns into a skull. That night the children kill their parents with a variety of implements, though this happens offscreen.

In 1983, a couple driving near Jonah, OK hit a young man who runs into the road. They find some strange things on the body, and try to find someone to whom they can report the accident. This is only the beginning of their problems. The couple's arrival in Jonah is somewhat reminiscent of ¿Quién puede matar a un niño? (1976) AKA Who Could Kill a Child?, although this is perhaps inevitable given the shared subject matter.

It's quite well directed and acted. The art direction and locations are well done too. Surprisingly, it appears director John Woodward only did two movies after this one.