Review of Rituals (1977) by James L — 15 May 2011

A Canadian classic and a personal favourite horror movie of mine, Rituals has that special creepy quality you just don't get anymore that comes from great acting and using the elements of nature as great cinematography.

5 doctors go on a camping trip together for a vacation away from it all. But their plans isn't the plans of someone else. Or something else. Torturing and horrifying events plague the doctors who look for help through the woods, but find themselves only doing exactly what they're expected to do. Rituals is kind of like Deliverance, but without anyone squealing like a pig. (if you get my drift) But this incredibly freaky horror movie keeps you wondering what is trying to kill them, eventually unfolding a puzzle that needs some thinking, but is pretty smart and very intriguing. You don't really see any goss slasher violence, you see the aftermath of violence. Rituals isn't just a horror but a psychological thriller that tests survival and morality, and that is shown to the fullest because of some incredible small time but talented actors. The star, Hal Holbrook, plays a very interesting, hard as nails character with a stubborn and prideful moral code. All the actors are great and play off eachother and their situations nicely, and talk about moral decisions that makes Rituals smarter than your average horror movie.

The best thing about good Canadian horror movies is that they use what's best about Canada as their key element. Like how Black Christmas was filmed during winter, Rituals was filmed in the great outdoors in the woods of Ontario. And don't get me wrong, this is an inexpensive movie, so what you see is mostly what you get. The actors go through everything! The dark woods, raging rivers, burnt out and rocky areas all WITHOUT SHOES! But this movie was still beautifully filmed. Great cinematography through the whole enviroment, capturing many, MANY hard scenes with in very good angles. I spacifically like the scenes shot on the river and crossing the burnt out forest. The score is a little too retro, sometimes working, sometimes awkward, but when it fits it really makes the scene good. You won't find any of the horror cliches here. Rituals is a rare horror that relies on its unpredictable and horrifying scenes that gets you under your skin by its excellent directing.

Rituals is a small Canadian jewel. It's not a big movie with star studded cast. It doesn't rely on blood splattering gore or sexy scenes to keep you interested. Rituals is the best kind of horror that gets in your head to frighten you. And this movie doesn't loose its steam. This horror movie has true quality because it only gets better and more interesting the more you watch it.