Review of Sadgati (1981) by Thomas M — 16 Jan 2010

The scariest thing about this movie is that I have been to and stayed at all the locations this movie takes place in. What is scarier is that these people depicted do inhabit these parts. But the thing is, and this is also my main problem with the movie, is that they exist in every place, every color, every sex and every creed.

This movie makes the somewhat tragic mistake of branding one group of people (hillbillies) as being demented and evil. And while I have been in situations where I don't know what could happen (My one night in Mossy, West Virginia comes to mind) and am unnerved by the possibillities.

I am more likely to meet a violent situation or person in my own backyard than in a strange city. The movie was shot on the border of South Carolina and Georgia and I can tell (as you already know I have been there).

I have been down in that area two or three times now. Most people are really nice people and are willing to help a stranger out. This movie is dated in that respect. I am sure that when this movie was made redneck hill people were cutting hippies hair and generally being a nuisance.

Now things are at least a little bit different. Though I don't know. I remember being in a backwoods restaurant in Janesville, Wisconsin with two friends of mine that were bi sexual in February 2006 and in walked this stereotypical redneck guy crowing about how he beat the shit out of this "homo-fag".

It was a very unnerving moment as just when you think people have let go of the past and the stupid notions of backwards people you run into just such a thing. The movie is well made and well acted. Burt Reynolds starts off leading the show but slowly it becomes about Jon Voights character.

The best scene is in the beginning when Ronny Cox has a guitar/banjo duet with a kid. Iconic scene. As is the disturbing scene involving Ned Beatty....well........if you know anything about this movie you sure as hell know about that scene.

Once again this movie reminds me of my terrifying and bizarre night in Mossy, West Virginia. But that is another story.