Customer Reviews

Dark Night of Scarecrow [VHS]

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

So who says you need a huge budget, a lot of computer generated special effects, and super big names to make an excellent horror film?

I saw this originally back when it first aired on TV and have never forgotten it. The screenplay is superb; I believe even Stephen King could not have done any better. One is kept wondering throughout the film if a vengeful human--District Attorney, Bubba's mother, the little girl--might be exacting the justice that was denied in the courtroom. The ending shot is almost poetic in both its simplicity and what it confides to us. The director halts the film at that touching, if horrific moment, while the little girl's voice continues speaking to the Scarecrow as the credits roll. It doesn't get any better then this.

I have always found scarecrows to be unsettling at the least and a frightening parody of man at best. Curiously, its origins actually stem back into ancient pagan religions. Scarecrows actually do not scare crows, or other birds for that matter, due to the fact that they never move (except in the movies) and the animals become used to their presence. In reality, they represent the ancient God of Fertility, and were put in fields as a supplication to this god for a bountiful harvest. Few people today realize that when they put up this effigy, they are really worshiping an ancient deity. Which, in my opinion, fits in nicely with the theme of supernatural revenge in this movie.

There is also an unsettling thread throughout this movie and others like it (Dark Secret of Harvest Home comes to mind) of just what might be occurring in these small and isolated communities. Seemingly almost out of touch with the modern world, Dark Night of the Scarecrow reminds us that anything is possible within an insular town, even murder and revenge.

This is a classic that needs to be digitally re-mastered onto DVD, if someone hasn't thought of it already. It is a refreshing change from the big blockbusters of today, and shows that imagination coupled with an outwardly innocent setting can produce a tale of pure horror. Horror, yes, but with an ending that is curiously satisfying. I could not think of a better way to end this grim little fairy tale from the depths of darkness.

I can't believe this gem of horror is finally being released on DVD. I'm glad VCI Entertainment stepped up to the plate on this one, just like they did when they released Gargoyles, which is another made-for-tv classic. Dark Night of the Scarecrow has everything going for it and then some. It's got actors who know how to act, spooky atmosphere, a decent script, great kill scenes, and of course, a healthy does of the supernatural.

I must've been around ten or eleven when I first watched this movie with my mom. We both loved it, especially Charles Durning's role as the town's mail carrier. The expressions on that guy's face are incredible. His performance alone really draws a person in. And Jocelyn Brando's performance as the mother is also amazing.

I hope that VCI does a great job on the transfer. I hope it's progressively scanned with a high bitrate without any noise reduction filters or edge enhancements. Also, I'd love to see blacks as deep as possible and colors spot on. Are you hearing me VCI?

Don't rent this baby, just go and buy it and keep it in your collection!

Excellent movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I first saw it in 1981 and I still find it one of the best horror movies I've ever seen. The fact that you don't have to endure the usual bloody mess makes it easy to watch time and time again.

So it finally comes out! Man, I hadn't seen this one since I was a kid! Go figure, it's actually a good film, therefore it never plays on television anymore. After all we gotta make room for Hardcore Pawn and Steven Seagal:Lawman, right?
Yes, Dark Night of the Scarecrow is a made for television movie, therefore it's absent of any nudity, gore or foul language, and guess what? It's not needed. Oh, we hardcore horror fans love those things, but we also love a good story and have respect for any good horror film regardless of what year it was made, the rating it got, or the format for which it was made.
Dark Night stars Charles Durning as the local postmaster, who has some serious issues with the "village idiot", Bubba(played by Dr. Giggles himself, Larry Drake) hanging out with the local children. When Bubba's best friend, young Marylee, is attacked by a vicious dog, everyone naturally blames Bubba. In true postmaster tradition, Durning gets three goons together for an ol' fashioned lynching. Bubba hides out inside the body of a scarecrow, but is found and the lynchers shoot him dead on the spot. The law proves useless and Durning and his goons get off without so much as a slap on the wrist. The D.A. swears justice will be done, but it's not to be, so now it's time to go into full on Bronson mode.
Each of the men involved in the lynching end up dying in a series of "accidents", each proceeded by the appearance of the scarecrow hanging in their field. Durning snoops around trying to find the culprit coz he doesn't believe in supernatural mumbo jumbo. He suspects the D.A. and even Bubba's mother, and drives himself nearly mad trying to figure it all out. Things come to a head when he tries to get the truth from little Marylee, who keeps claiming that Bubba is back and talking to her. Is Bubba really back from the grave? I'm sure as hell not gonna tell you, so you'd better check it out for yourself.
Dark Night of the Scarecrow is a very well written, creepy and fun little horror flick. It's not gonna scare the crap out of you as reviews tend to say(then again, what really does scare us anymore?), but the film has some great chilling atmosphere and a few suspenseful scenes. Modern film makers should take a lesson or two instead of bombarding us with torture and gore. This film definitely falls into the "they don't make em like this anymore" category. And it's certainly okay for youngsters as well.
Not much here other than a commentary, but the restoration job is great.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting screenwriter J.D. Feigelson(yeah, I'm bragging), and he remains quite proud of this film. He should.

I received this the other day & watched it immediately. The VCI DVD is crisp and clear & looks great. The film is one of the best "made for TV" horror flicks ever made. If for some reason you don't know the story, a bunch of redneck vigilantes in a small farming community kill mentally-handicapped Bubba (Larry Drake) for allegedly killing a young girl, although after they've killed him, they find out the girl is OK, and that Bubba actually saved her from an attack by a vicious dog. The men are tried but found not guilty, and this being a horror movie, you know that they don't get off that easily. Charles Durning is excellent as the despicable Otis Hazelrigg, mailman, instigator, and with a few things of his own to hide (including the implication that perhaps HE has issues with young girls). This film is proof that a horror film can be effective without excessive gore and some of the other elements that seem to be standard in horror flicks today. Well worth seeing and owning.

The seminal scarecrow classic makes its long-awaited DVD debut with a beautifully remastered transfer care of VCI Entertainment! Originally premiering on CBS as a made-for-TV movie, this brilliantly-crafted revenge film shares as much in common with Hitchcockian suspense thrillers as it does with the early 80's Slashers of its time, minus the gratuitous gore. DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW finds the simpleminded Bubba on the run from an unruly mob after he is falsely accused of killing a young girl. The four vigilantes find Bubba hiding in an empty field dressed as a scarecrow, and ruthlessly murder him before finding out that he was innocent of the crime. Now, Bubba has come back for revenge, donning the burlap mask and pitchfork that he was left to die in! Film legends Charles Durning and Lane Smith headline as the town baddies in two of their most admirable performances. Unlike FRIDAY THE 13th or MY BLOODY VALENTINE of the same year, DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW provides all of the same gruesome murders and without spilling even a single drop of blood, tastefully cutting away from the actual event while implying the worst. Director Frank de Filetta delivers a steady stream of chilling suspense, teasing the audience with scarecrow calling cards that are left in distant fields to intimidate Bubba's killers while foreshadowing who will be the next to die. The most terrifying moment comes in the film's thrilling climax, where Bubba stalks his final victim through a foggy pumpkin patch on Halloween night. DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW is not only an excellent Slasher movie, but also one of the strongest made-for-TV Horror films of all-time, and VCI has gone to great lengths to provide the definitive release that fans have been demanding for decades!

-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies

Thrilled that this movie will finally be released on DVD! Anyone wanting a slasher flick will be disappointed. It's a good horror story, nice and creepy, but not a gore-fest, which is why I like it so much. This movie is a family favorite, and I remember watching it as a kid when it premiered back in the 80's as a made-for-television movie. There were plenty of good television movies made in the 70's and 80's, and this was one of the best. DNOTS is the movie to watch on a rainy night...kill the lights, hit the couch with a bowl of popcorn, and enjoy a good scary movie that won't make you gag.

Well somehow after all these years somebody is noticing these great Gem classics that are great movies. I remember all these great movies that were shown on t.v. I have'Kingdom of the Spiders and Tarantulas the Deadly Cargo and now to be able to add this to my collection will be awesome Dark Night of the Scarecrow is an awesome movie I am shocked that someone has not wanted to do a remake of this one. This was shown on T.v and scared the crap out of me such great acting Charles Durning is a great actor( played the cop in When a Stranger Calls also starring Carol Kane the original movie not the remake) I am happy that this movie is being released have my copy reserved will be great for Halloween, what a nice treat from Amazon thanks.

DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW is another of the classic made-for-tv movies that transcends the medium. A lot of the reason for this is the superb acting of Charles Durning (WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, WHEN A STRANGER CALLS BACK) as the world's most sinister mailman. After mistakenly killing a man for a crime he didn't commit, Durning and his fellow conspirators are haunted, stalked, and killed in horrible "accidents". The atmosphere is perfectly dark, the story exceptionally creepy, and the finale is quite memorable. You'll never look at scarecrows the same way again! Watch for Larry Drake (DARKMAN, DR. GIGGLES) as the ill-fated "Bubba". Buy immediately...

I have to echo others in their praise for this film. The acting is top-notch, and the story is genuinely written well. This was rather violent for a TV movie. But don't let the "TV movie" part scare you, this is a fantastic film.