MovieChat Forums > Deadly Blessing (1981) Discussion > Questions for Americans...

Questions for Americans...


Watching this movie I was started by the number of shots of menacing looking tarantulas crawling about. It seemed every establishing shot did a rack focus to one crawling about and of course there's that dream sequence.

My question is:

Are there really that many tarantulas crawling about in rural America? I was under the impression they were fairly tropical creatures. I know Wes loves using spiders in his movies, but he usually puts them in places like the desert of "Hills Have Eyes" or the Carribean in "Serpent and the Rainbow", not down-to-earth locales like in "Deadly Blessing".

So is it an artistic license (sure was creepy!) or is it fairly accurate in that regard?

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Accurate indeed. I can tell you that living here in Texas (where the movie was filmed) there are numerous types of snakes and tarantulas spiders and it is common to see them crossing the road especially in rural areas. I have personally seen them. Texas has some of the biggest most menacing looking spiders around.

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While it's true that some species of tarantulas live in tropical areas, the ones we have in America are usually desert dwelling tarantulas. They live in the desert, dry and dusty areas of the countries.

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In America the tarantulas lay eggs in women's bun hairdo's.

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[deleted]

The tarantulas confused me as well. I didn't realize the movie was set in Texas; I though it was in Amish Country (rural Penn) where there are no tarantulas.

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You can find tarantulas and snakes just about anywhere in America that is rural. I am from Ok. There are many snakes and spiders, especially in the panhandle. SO...this film proves to be about as right as rain.

When will you ever learn, this feeling is all you can discern?

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I would have guessed PA as well and I think they just went for a classic "big ass spider" to go for effect.

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