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Post by bruce on Apr 13, 2011 21:08:55 GMT -5
The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a 1976 slasher film about a hooded serial killer stalking residents of a small town. Set in 1946 Arkansas, this film is loosely based on the real case of the 'Texarkana Moonlight Murders'.
Shot in an almost documentary style this film centers around a hooded serial killer that is stalking the residents of a small Arkansas town after nightfall and the Texas Ranger who will stop at nothing to find him.
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Post by bruce on Apr 14, 2011 12:29:14 GMT -5
While this is a very good 1970s horror film, it bares little resemblance to a Slasher film. It is however a seminal film when it comes to Serial killer films, which is a separate and distinct genre of horror film. These serial killer elements outweigh the Slasher aspects contained within the film. On the Slasher front, the film has possibly had an influence on Friday the 13th part 2, as the killer within this film wears a sack or pillow case over his head, and is dressed like Jason from Friday part 3.
The things which challenge its status as a Slasher are those aspects which you generally do not find within the Slasher genre, but you do find in the classic serial killer movie. You have the expert called in to head the investigation for finding the killer, car chases and the buddy-team determined to get the killer. Generally the killers in Slashers kill their victims, which is their main reason for doing what they do, but within this film murder doesn't seem to be the killers first priority. The killer also exhibits characteristic associated More with vicious serial killers then the killer depicted in the genre, he bits his female victims. The killer also only kills the men, saving the females to taunt and torture.
Interestingly enough this film bares a striking resemblance to the movie ZODIAC and the crimes of the Zodiac Killer, makes one wonder if the zodiac might have been influenced by these murders, which took place in the 1940s and was apparently a very famous case. When all is said and done, the Town that Dreaded Sundown is very different from the traditional Slasher film.
I'm certainly up to persuasion, let me know what you think, remember the majority rules.
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Post by FireStar on Apr 15, 2011 22:17:09 GMT -5
Personally I think its both, just not sure which it seems to take more from. Slasher or serial killer films, probably need to watch it again to get a better feel. Your right though it does seem alot like Zodiac and other films of that kind.
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