Review of The Manitou (1978) by Eric W — 03 Sep 2010

Amusingly daft cult flick based on the novel by horror master Graham Masterton. This is the final film of director William Girdler(Abby, Grizzly) before his tragic death in a helicopter accident.

Tony Curtis plays Harry Erskine a psychic who manages to make a living by swindling rich old ladies. One day he is contacted by an old friend Karen Tandy (Susan Strasberg) who has discovered a tumor growing on her back. Tests show that there is actually a human foetus in there- which turns out to be the reincarnation of of 400 year old Native American medicine man, Misquamacus. Erskine seeks out the assistance of John Singing Rock (Michael Ansara) to help destroy Misquamacus.

The film hasn't dated very well- viewers will snicker at the outdated technology and the silly effects at the climax of the movie, which look like outtakes from a D grade video game.

The scene involving the actual birth is more silly than disturbing, but this fits in well with the spirit of the movie and is probably for the best, since the idea of a woman giving birth to a deformed creature will be most disturbing for female viewers (though this is tame when compared to similar scenes in movies such as last year's "Orphan" (aka "Esther").

Of interest mainly to horror buffs, bad movie addicts and fans of Masterton. It's a shame more of his work hasn't been filmed apart from several short stories. The perfect movie to watch at 3am when you have insomnia.