Shadow of the Hawk

I saw this for the first time recently. Got pulled into seeing this after reading lots of glowing reviews on imdb. I didn't enjoy this film as ther is nothing eerie, spooky or horror bah it.

Generous with a 4 cos the film has some good locations n most of it is shot in broad daylight. It has a creepy snake, a creepy ghost (Jennifer from Masters of Horror lookalike).

The bridge scene cud have been tension filled but they filled it up with shaky cam.

The bear scene is badly done n the bear looked fake as if some human made to act in bear costume.

What the hell are you supposed to do when suddenly one night, during your birthday celebration moreover, your old and physically exhausted grandfather shows up on your doorstep and begs of you to disregard everything and drive 300 miles to bring him back home? You could refuse and put him on a bus, seeing that he also managed to find his way there alone perfectly fine, but – like the cute woman accompanying him already pointed out – he is your grandfather and you just don't do a thing like that. So what other option is there but to politely offer a ride to both gramps and the lady? During the road trip, however, granddaddy reveals he's entangled in a spiritual battle with a ancient witch called Dsonqua and you are involved through your bloodline. A-ha! That immediately explains the eerie hallucinations you're having about wicked witch masks inside the pool and outside your bedroom window! All this is what's happening to Jan-Michael Vincent in "Shadow of the Hawk"; an above average compelling and atmospheric 70's thriller with a good cast and astonishing Canadian filming locations. Especially the first half of the film is more than fascinating to observe, what with all the mysterious Indian mythology and the genuinely creepy images of the witch's frightening mask. Unfortunately the film loses quite a lot of its pace and interest halfway and ends up being a rather dull and unmemorable supernatural hocus-pocus thriller. The most exciting moments of "Shadow of the Hawk" occur during the road trip, like for example the crash into an invisible wall, whereas the long-anticipated climax battle against the witch and her disciples is tedious and disappointing. George McGowan, known from the nature-revolts classic "Frogs", directs with a noticeable disinterest, but luckily the cast is excellent. Chief Dan George and Jan-Michael Vincent (one of my personal heroes of the 70's) are terrific and very believable as the Indian saviors. "Shadow of the Hawk" is quite difficult to track down these days, so make sure you only take the effort in case you're really interested in the film.

I really liked the first 45 minutes of this one. Usually, films made around this time come across to me anyway as pretty dated and they usually are trying so hard to be 'cool' that they come across as pretty lame. But, this director really sets a nice moody atmosphere which fits the Native American story really well. Very good use of visuals and I loved the soundtrack on this first half and felt that it was very effective.

BUT... from about the part with the guy in the bear suit... Well... that was pretty dang funny. And then they wandered around a lot during the 2nd act. The 3rd act got a bit more interesting where the Chief was preparing his grandson in order to pass his powers on to him. Again, in the cave and towards the end the effects with the faces of the Evil Ones, I thought it was fairly effective.

I'm not familiar with the woman who played the lead, but I was quite impressed with her very naturalistic and pleasant performance. Again, so many times films made during this time the characters were so artificial and irritating, but I think her character was truly one of the very best I've seen from around that time. The old Chief was pretty good too with a nice, natural, earthy style and just a shade of dry humour.

There was a scene where the Evil Witch Woman was doing this ritual to conjure the snake. It actually caught me a bit off guard with how sensual it was in a very naughty way. Many things could have come across as extremely CHEEEEZY in this film, and some do, but I honestly felt that the director particularly (although I don't think I am familiar with his work) had a good sense for what visuals, sound, and timing had the most effect.

The Blu-ray is unusually sharp and the picture quality is superb. The locations and cinematography are lovely. The sound is done very well. I really loved the soundtracks to Horror movies around that time and slightly earlier because they were more heavily used and if effectively done could really added to the mood of a film. A great example is the 1973 Telefilm 'A COLD NIGHT'S DEATH' There are only two actors, Robert Culp and Eli Wallach, and almost all the scenes take place in this one isolated research station in the Arctic. But, the use of sound is so effective that what could have been very static, boring, repetitive shots really came across as extremely dramatic and scary. The first half of this film is like that.

The 2nd half after the guy in the bear suit does start to come across more loosely and not as good. But, there are some good atmospheric moments here and there. If he had been able to sustain the same level of mood and tension in the 2nd half, then I think it would have been a really good film with nice Native American Spiritual overtones. As it is, I basically give it pretty much what the average rating most others gave it. But, overall, if you look past some of the goofier parts, there are some great, effective moments in it. Watch out for that rather sexy ritual part. It just might catch you off guard too : )

Jan Michael Vincent is very good in this role as "Hawk", the grandson of a Native American medicine man, played by the venerable Chief Dan George. The plot? He must return to his tribe to safeguard them from an evil spirit. Along the journey through absolutely beautiful Northwest woods, Hawk, his grandfather and girlfriend must face attacks from both spirit and flesh and blood foes. An exciting and sometimes rather spooky road-trip. I give it ***1/2 out of *****.

Although somewhat forgotten over time, this is an entertaining film combining drama, suspense, supernatural horror, and American Indian mysticism. Jan-Michael Vincent plays Mike, the Westernized grandson of a veteran Indian medicine man, Old Man Hawk (Chief Dan George). The old man makes a very long trek to the city to enlist the grandsons' help in defeating an ancient, vengeful entity terrorizing the old mans' tribe. Marilyn Hassett plays Maureen, a freelance reporter looking for a story and who gave the old man some assistance.

There are some effective moments in this little picture, especially the harrowing one with Vincent, Hassett, and George on a rickety wooden bridge. It's also impressive when the old man erects an "invisible wall" into which a car crashes. It all takes place among some magnificent British Columbia (Canada) scenery, and is accompanied by majestic music composed by Robert McMullin. Mike will have to ultimately face the demonic Dsonoqua (played by the alluring Marianne Jones) on his own, as well as her minions and one persistent black bear. The presence of a mystery figure, who wears a creepy mask, is another solid touch, and this figure will repeatedly appear in Mikes' visions. Although, as I said earlier, Mike is very much a Westernized character, he *will* end up embracing his heritage and his heroic destiny.

Vincent is solid in one of the vehicles from the peak period of his career, when he hadn't fallen victim to his own demons. Hassett doesn't get much to do that's actually interesting, but she is likeable as well. Chief Dan George is excellent as the mystical elder who knows all the right things to do and say, and who knows that being laid up in a hospital being treated with ineffective Western medicine will do him no good.

Overall, this is a decent little picture, spooky when it needs to be and consistently atmospheric. It's worth a look.

Seven out of 10.