Deathdream (1974) - CANADA

Deathdream (1974) - CANADA 

Deathdream is a 1974 Canadian horror film, directed by Bob Clark and written by Alan Ormsby. It was inspired by the W.W. Jacobs short story The Monkey's Paw.Deathdream revolves around Andy Brooks (Richard Backus), a young soldier who is gunned down in the jungles of Vietnam. At the time of his death, Andy's mother is praying for the safe return of her son. Despite being told by the U.S. Army that their son is dead, the family is shocked when Andy returns in the middle of the night. But Andy isn't the same as the war has changed him. He spends his time sitting quietly in rocking chair, has no desire to see old friends and dresses to conceal his body with turtlenecks, gloves and glasses. Only at night does he become animated, going out on the town to find victims that can quell his thirst for blood.

This movie is a true rarity in the annals of horror cinema in that it manages to be both creepy and genuinely poignant. The fact it manages to combine both of those emotions makes it something truly special indeed, something worth watching despite whatever production flaws it contains. The acting ranges from good (John Marley) to rather mediocre and overdone. But thats to be expected from these low-budget offerings of the time. The direction by Clark is rather unpolished, and he obviously wasn't completely comfortable with direction by this point. However, he does maintain an appropriate sense of pacing. The screenplay is fantastic and ultimately what makes this work. "Dead of Night" is an unique and emotional production that needs to be seen by fans of either cult cinema or more interesting horror films (ones that work on actual mood opposed to loads of graphic gore). The ending is more dour and stunning. I didn't see it coming, but it made perfect sense in line with everything that had happened. It's the kind of ending that a film would never have now. It's simply too honest. One of the better horror endings I've seen, actually.