Legend of the Phantom Rider

Interesting but failed attempt to mix western and horror. There's just not enough horror in it, that's pretty much the problem with it. The titular character (aka Pelgidium) has no background story whatsoever (Why the hell does he do what he does?). The prologue-scene is incomprehensible (compared to the rest of the story) and all-in-all, there's not really much going on in this movie. But it does have Angus Scrimm in a supporting roll and Pelgidium's face actually looks like he could have been the brother of Jenifer (from Dario Argento's MOH-episode). I'll just be a softie again and not flunk this dusty baby, because, well, it doesn't really deserve to be flunked. The leading scorned woman is portrayed by Denise Crosby from "Pet Semetary" and (fans of spectacular cheesy 80's action sci-fi rejoice!) Charles Band's "Eliminators"!

Alex Erkiletian's "Legend Of The Phantom Rider" of 2002 is, as far as I am considered a rather boring and crappy attempt of a Horror Western, and I am actually a big fan of Horror Westerns.

According to the film, an ancient legend says that good and pure evil face each other in man-shape once in a few centuries. In 1865, a little town somewhere in the West is terrorized by a gang of outlaws lead by a former confederate called 'Blade' and his right hand man 'Suicide'. Sarah Jenkins (Denise Crosby), whose husband and son were murdered by villainous Blade and who has to take care of her little daughter on her own, is especially victimized by the gang, and desperately tries to convince the townspeople to fight back. But then a creepy, mysterious stranger turns up, and he turns out to be extremely fast with his guns. Thenceforward, the brutal gangsters have to learn what fear is every time the eerie man with the fast guns shows up. Blade, however, doesn't seem the least bit afraid...

"Legend Of The Phantom Rider" is basically just the same old western tale of good vs. evil, which the makers of this movie tried to spice up with a little bit of creepiness. This turned out to be a failed attempt, however, since the movie is not really creepy, the mysterious 'Phantom Rider' may look a little creepy, but that's basically it. The movie is also said to be very violent by some, but it is by far not as brutal as it is hyped to be. Most of the acting is terrible, the only actor I liked in this was Irvin Keyes (in the role of an Outlaw named Bigfoot), simply for the reason that he has got to be one of the ugliest looking people I have seen in a movie. The constant drum score, which would normally be intended to build up suspense in some parts of a movie, but certainly not throughout the whole movie is more than annoying.

To be fair, "Legend Of The phantom Rider" is not a completely terrible failure. It has some stylish moments, in some parts of the movie the photography is quite good, there is some good gunplay and the mysterious stranger looks quite creepy. This is a bearable movie, but certainly not a good one. If you are looking for a good Horror-Western, I would recommend movies like Giulio Questi's great surreal Spaghetti Western "Se Sei Vivo Spara" aka. "Django Kill... If You Live Shoot!" of 1967 instead.

All things considered, "Legend Of The Phantom Rider" is not a movie that has to be avoided at all costs, but it is definitely rather crappy. Bearable 3/10

In 1865, while traveling with her family close to the city of Sogus, Sarah Jenkins (Denise Crosby) is raped and her husband and son are cowardly killed by a group of outlaws. Sarah and her daughter survive and walk to Sogus, where they are advised by a local to leave the place, which is dominated by the bandits leaded by the maleficent Blade (Robert McRay). However, tired and starving, they decide to stay in the town and the owner of a store and his wife lodge them. The gang of evil criminals rules the city with fear and violence, killing people without motive. Pelgidium, a mysterious rider with a deformed face, appears in the town as if he were listening to the prayers of the locals, and faces the bad guys. "Legend of the Phantom Rider" is a mixed bag of western, violence and mystery. This deceptive low budget movie was released on VHS in Brazil, the art of the cover is prepared to attract the viewers as if it were a horror film, but indeed it is a violent western. The soundtrack, with the constant sound of drums usually used in the climax of the story, is very boring. I did not like this film. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "A Lenda do Cavaleiro Fantasma" ("The Legend of the Phantom Rider")

I love Westerns. I love Horror.

Naturally, when I saw a trailer for this many years ago, I was stoked. However, after seeing the final product, I wish it had stayed buried.

While displaying some decent cinematography (which was all they showed in the trailer; surprise-surprise), everything else in this film was a lousy mesh of Z-grade talent. Among the lifeless direction, we get a dude ranch set, horrible editing, a soundtrack consisting of three drum beats and sound design worse than a student film. These aspects were the highlight of the movie.

Where 'Legend of the Phantom Rider' ('Pelgidium' at least sounded interesting) really screws the pooch is in it's casting. I've seen people on daytime soap operas that would make more convincing Old West characters. The lead bald guy (Blade/Pelgidium) should be barred from the acting profession - he's as bad as they come. Even reliable actors like Angus Scrimm and Denise Crosby felt gone.

Did I mention that every scene moved like a slug at a salt mine?

Please...do yourself a favor and stay as far away from this film as possible.

I 1st watched this movie in early 2000 & somethin, somethin off 1 of the movie channels after reading the description for it.I expected it to be a Supernatural Horror set in Western times.It really wasn't a Supernatural Horror but did have a Supernatural feel to it.Watching it now, I watched it because the cover art looked pretty cool.Up until now I had completely forgotten about it.I don't think my opinion of the Legend Of The Phantom Rider has changed since the 1st time I saw it.I was disappointed when I 1st watched it & I'm disappointed now.I'm disappointed it wasn't more of a Horror flick & I'm disappointed it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be.I'm guessing if you're looking for it to be more of a Horror flick like I was, You'll be disappointed as well.The movie wasn't all that great either.It felt like something to watch, just to be watching it.I've completely forgotten about the Legend Of The Phantom Rider for 15 years now & that should about sum up what I think about it.I can imagine somebody looking at it once but (definitely) not more than once