Terror (1978)

Directed by Norman J. Warren. Starring John Nolan, Carolyn Courage, and James Aubrey. UK, Color, 87 minutes.

What is Terror? Who is Norman J. Warren? Why isn't this film in my Leonard Maltin Movie & Video Guide? Let me tell you.

Aside from watching and writing about mainstream film, The Video Basement also serves cult films and relatively unknown films. This blog's purpose is not only to entertain, but also to enlighten. Terror is only one of many films that you probably have never heard of that will appear on this space.

So please, stay tuned, and get ready to learn.

On a dark (summer? autumn? spring?) night, in a large house in the middle of a small forest, filmmaker/producer James Garrick (John Nolan) is showing his latest film to a relatively small group of friends and relatives. The film is about the violent deaths of his ancestors and a curse that has been put upon his bloodline. Soon after the showing, strange things begin to happen in the house. Glassware breaks into pieces, relatives get into sword fights, and tree limbs act of their own accord. When a string of murders begins, James' cousin Ann (Carolyn Courage) is targeted as the prime suspect. Is she innocent, or has she been chosen to carry on the family curse?

Well, I'm convinced.

Four of the actors in this film are named Peter. And one, surprisingly, is Peter Mayhew, better known as Chewbacca from the Star Wars series. But I digress.

Terror has a unique quirk. Its scenes of dialogue are almost fascinating - they're written very well and are full of humor and characterization. But its "scary scenes", its chase scenes, are all entirely dull. Completely and utterly dull. For the first time while watching a movie, I wished that all of the characters lived happily ever after - every time one of them died, I was treated to ten minutes of slowly walking through the woods or up a flight of stairs.

What happened to the good parts of the film.

The film takes place in a different world, a world invented in the director's head. In this world, no one acts normally. Kind words are rarely found. Synthesizers are pounded on. Everyone is angry at something.

Terror put me into a different place. It was a very depressing and dull place. And I honestly never want to go back.

Take my advice. Norman J. Warren is a loony. Stay out of his world.

She must have watched the movie, too.