Scarecrows (1988) Review:

Films that are competently crafted and executed well sometimes don't get the recognition they want right away. Like other cult films that have grown in popularity over the years, this film is no exception falling into that exact same bucket. Majority of the time, very few people think of scarecrows as an actual intimidating thing. With their static nature and distorted bodies filled with straw, it's no real shock that anyone or anything would find them realistic. For cripes sake, the animals know the difference between these stuffed imitation humans versus actual living beings. Then again, most people don't make a very convincing scarecrow to boot. However, this film will make you think otherwise if you come across any scarecrow that looks like the ones shown here. And this is all kudos to a very special crew.

Victoria Christian, Kristina Sanborn & David Campbell

The plot is about group of criminals Corbin (Ted Vernon), Curry (Michael David Simms), Jack (Richard Vidan), Roxanne (Kristina Sanborn) and Bert (B.J. Turner) escaping with a large sum of money. With them are two air pilot hostages Al (David Campbell) and his daughter Kellie (Victoria Christian). To their dismay, Bert goes rogue making off with the money himself mid-flight and lands in what appears to be a deserted farm. Quickly catching up behind him, Bert's team have the hostages land the aircraft and search for him. Little do any of these characters know that the area they landed in has something much more sinister going on. Among the quiet fields are dreadful and human like scarecrows, of which they soon learn is more to them than what they think there is.

Directed by William Wesley, with a script co-written by Wesley and Richard Jefferies, this little horror film shows what can be accomplished with much minimalism as possible. First off, the premise. What an idea. Very rarely do stories actually make their villains the main characters but also sort of make a viewer feel for them (sort of). With a cast of less than ten actors, the story is kept tight with its focus and will keep the viewer at attention with all of its mysterious setups. If anything, the only things the screenplay suffers from is what feels to abrupt character motivation changes and an interesting backstory. Having a mysterious story is the right way to go, but when there are points to be made clear and they aren't, it begs the question what were the points? However, these flaws are far from a huge problem in the overall execution. In some ways, a viewer can forgive this just because of how well the story plays out.

The actors all have interesting scenes together whether it be in their respective groups or if it's protagonists vs antagonists. Surprisingly, many of these crew members to the film did not continue on after this. Ted Vernon, Richard Vidan and David Campbell continue to act in various projects. Michael David Simms would later be in X2: X-Men United (2003) and Eight Below (2006). However, Kristina Sanborn and Victoria Christian both dropped out of acting shortly after. As for B.J. Turner, he passed away a few years later. As a little gift though, Don Herbert from the Mr. Wizard show has a small role as a radio newscaster. Richard Jefferies has gone onto write for movies like The Vagrant (1992) and Cold Creek Manor (2003). What's more surprising is that William Wesley only directed one other movie which was Route 666 (2001). With making such a great debut, it's unfortunate he hasn't gone onto bigger projects.

"Don't mind me,....just hanging out...."

As for visuals the movie has got what a horror fan could want. The makeup and practical effects are fantastic. With help from the late J.B. Jones (Shoot to Kill (1988), The Crow (1994)) and Norman Cabrera (Spawn (1997), Hellboy (2004)), the scarecrows on scene are legitimately creepy. This is also thanks to Peter Deming as the credited cinematographer. Much of Deming's shots linger on the scarecrows to show just how insidious they really are. Deming would also shoot for Evil Dead II (1987) and The Cabin in the Woods (2011). Lastly, music was another great aspect thanks to the late Terry Plumeri. Featuring a small orchestra of strings, bass clarinet and piano, the themes used in this score are very effective in bringing on the uneasy tone. There are no stings in this score whatsoever and it is quite the listening experience. Too bad he is no longer with us.

Backstory and the unwinding of the history is not done very well but that is nothing compared to the rest of the film. The premise is solid, with a focused script, credible actors, great looking special effects, camerawork and music. This is one horror film to watch if viewers are looking for something pleasantly unsettling in a fun way.

Points Earned --> 7:10