Review of Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) by Tonypolito — 09 Oct 2010
Caught this as a TCM wee-hours double feature on Halloween along with 1963's "Blood Feast," this film's immediate directorial predecessor. Better production value and far less blood/gore than the latter. Still it was surely pretty gory for drive-in goers in 1965.
A pack of over-the-top, campy swamp-goobers who haven't really forgotten "The War of North-dern Aggression" and 'dem murderin' Yankee carpet-baggers snag some seriously century-overdue payback off of some incredibly gullible Yankee tourists passing through town.
As with "Blood Feast," the film's best recommendation is its historical value as starter for the slasher film genre - as well as the 'stranger wanders into CreepyTown' setup. This is a film to which "Friday 13th" et. al. are strongly indebted.
Draws loosely upon the plot of "Brigadoon.".
Filled with a score of authentic 1920ish mountain music that adds a realistic creepiness, most notably a rendition of "The South's Gonna Rise Again.".
RECOMMENDATION: There's little doubt this film gets an annual screening, as cause for a major kegger, in every fraternity house throughout the Deep South.
This review of Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) was written by Tonypolito on 09 Oct 2010.
Two Thousand Maniacs! has generally received mixed reviews.
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