MovieChat Forums > Dead of Night (1974) Discussion > Great Film - SPOILERS

Great Film - SPOILERS

posted 12 years ago by hexedd
10 replies | jump to latest

This film was very layered and full of good social commentary about family relationships, the changing role of the sexes (the mother is treated by the father like a second-class citizen, especially when he says to the doctor "don't listen to her this is MY house"), and about how war permanently changes people. Andy becomes a "monster" (in both a literal and figurative sense) and while the mother is in total denial, the father is torn between reporting his son to the police and protecting him. The sister, for her part, is totally sheltered from what is going on (they don't even tell her how the dog died) and doesn't realize what's happened to her brother until it's too late and he kills her boyfriend. Andy's "girlfriend" also wants to believe the best and "pick up where things left off" but there is nothing she can do to help the situation and unfortunately ends up dying herself. There are a lot of meanings in this movie, and I don't think it gets enough credit for how complex it actually is. If you put it in context that the Vietnam war still wasn't officially over when this was made, and American society was going through a post-1960s malaise and tumultuous time, it is obvious why this movie would have hit home more to people during that time. Nevertheless, many of its messages still stand the test of time, and the plot could just as easily be updated with a story about a soldier from Iraq or Afghanistan. A great film in my opinion and it's right up there with Paperhouse as a "horror" film that is so much more than just a typical slasher or zombie flick.

[–] henrimaine 11 years ago

If you put it in context that the Vietnam war still wasn't officially over when this was made

I think it could be the first American movie that dealt with Vietnam war and even showed (albeit briefly) the Vietnam war.

[–] hexedd 11 years ago

Good point. I don't know of any other films that had broached the subject in 1972.

[–] mattropolis 10 years ago

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this movie. I love it and appreciate the insight of others.

I was quite moved by this movie when i watched it years ago and watched it again recently and was reminded of why it haunted me. The depiction of death at the beginning really hit me. The actors were all tremendous and saved this movie from complete obscurity.

Due to my age it is often lost on me that this would have been a major statement at the time. Andy's PTSD behavior is remarkable and creepy and this could easily be relevant today.

[–] Fargo_North 9 years ago

From their interaction with each other after Andy's return, I got the impression the family must have had a history of dysfunction as well as other buried issues (no pun intended). One very revealing scene was when the father explains to the postman that it was his hope that by sending Andy off to the war, it would keep him from being a Mama's boy, which explains the mom's blind devotion to protect Andy at any cost.

"That man's nuts, Grab 'em!!!

[–] hexedd 9 years ago

Ah yes, I didn't remember that scene. Thank you, I will have to re-watch it and keep an eye out for those hints of dysfunction. There was definitely a fear of "Momism" going on in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. There are lots of newspaper and magazine articles from the time with doctors, psychologists, etc., blaming coddling mothers for why men were unable to stand the test of modern war. It never occurred to them that war is hell, and those it did occur to were often too hyper macho to admit it. Many suffered in silence instead. Vietnam was the first time that men began to openly discuss feelings and question the John Wayne portrayal of war and way of handling fear, trauma, etc.

[–] denis-38 9 years ago

Just caught this last night. I must say--truly scary and creepy, despite the abysmal acting. In fact the amateurishness somehow heightened the fright. There seemed to be a certain kind of bad acting in 70s films that was either laughable or somehow worked for the material--usually in horror films. This was the latter, for sure. Nice surprise!

[–] antonasmodeus 9 years ago

Denis, exactly my sentiments! This was the style of late director Bob Clark back in the early 70s. His horror films were very effective for being so low-budget and they still scare the crap outta me today. If you haven't already, check out "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things" and "Black Christmas" and let us know what you think!

[–] hexedd 9 years ago

I second both of your statements. :)

For some reason the amateur nature of it really makes it even more creepy. I find the same thing with movies such as Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

This is definitely a great film and I can't think of any like it. Combat Shock is similar I guess, but more 80s cheese and minus the zombie plot.

[–] pepperprentiss 9 years ago

The bad acting, the low budget realism of this film is what made it all the more creepy.

[–] antonasmodeus 9 years ago

Don't forget the music. Carl Zittrer was the absolute master of low-budget horror scores. The spine-chilling work he did for Bob Clark was incredibly effective and still haunts my nightmares!