Rituals

I thought this was a very well-acted, believable and absorbing film. It's is a crime that there is not yet a DVD release of this title. It is very similar to DELIVERANCE in many respects, but with more of a horror-movie feel. Five doctors take their annual camping trip into the thick wilderness of "The Cauldron," a huge, basin-like spot in the forest which was formed, according to Native American legend, when the moon once bumped into the earth. Things go from bad to worse to horrifying for the doctors, as they're faced with a trip through hell brought upon by an unseen, unknown stalker. If you're a horror fan, this is a forgotten gem. Highly recommended for fans of backwoods slashers.

Five doctor friends go hiking in the wilderness where they are stalked and terrorized by an unseen killer.

Rituals, also known as The Creeper, is a rather forgotten and underrated early slasher flick. While the premise may seem like the formula, stereotype backwoods killer story this film actually came along before the time of Friday the 13th and its countless followers. Rituals really owes its inspiration in part to Deliverance, but it is hardly the rip-off of that classic movie that some critics would have you think. It has a gritty, low budget atmosphere and some effectively nightmarish moments in its plot (head on a stick, anyone?). The film is also rather gruesome, particularly in the rare uncut version of the film. It has plenty of creepy mood to keep it from being the routine slasher outing.

However there are a few flaws. First, in all versions of the film that I've ever seen the lighting in the climax of the movie is so dim that it's difficult to understand what is happening. Second, the plot is very thinly written and the characters aren't sympathetic in the slightest. Also, the editing is very rough.

Never the less, the effective atmosphere and chills come to the rescue and save this woodsy slasher. Not bad, but best enjoyed by the dedicated horror fans.

** 1/2 out of ****

Hal Holbrook stars as one of five friends(all doctors) who are taking their usual outdoor vacation, only this year they fly into a secluded wilderness, where their rest is disrupted by a sinister and unseen figure who first steal their boots, then escalates things with terror then murder...

Well directed by Peter Carter in real Canadian locations, this film creates an effective atmosphere of suspense and fear, aided by a capable cast that really involve you in their plight, leading to a harrowing climax.

Best to see this on the restored DVD, which has the best picture quality possible, since the original negative was damaged, which makes the ending quite(literally) too dark. Otherwise, this is much more than just a "Deliverance" rip-off, which isn't a fair description.

Haunting final scene is memorable.

Terrifying and unsettling movie plenty of thrills , chills , lush outdoors and top-notch acting . Five doctors (Hal Holbrook, Lawrence Dane, Robin Gammell ..) set out in a camping trip across the Canadian wilderness which starts as a holiday but soon becomes a weekend of sheer terror . It suddenly becomes desperate when occurs a chain of nightmarish events . The four friends realize that something is very strange when someone leaves a decapitated deer head just outside their camp . Shortly after , their path is blocked by someone who doesn't wishes to see them leave the woods alive and subsequently taking place a string of weird happenings . They'll never forget into the risked back-country filled with rare and violent hillbillies . If you go down in the woods today, you're in for a big surprise. In A World Turned Suddenly Savage The Answers Have Become ... Brutally Simple! It's Too Late for Prayers . He Knows You're Out There ... It's too late for prayers. He's out there. Run...hide...it won't do any good. Start praying. The Creeper is coming.

Yet another low budget ¨Deliverance¨ rip-off , but this time the film results to be acceptable and decent enough . This good and interesting picture dealing with some companions going on vacation in the deep wilderness c, ontaining intrigue , action , violence , strong final confrontation and marvelous landscapes. This trilling film was based on an exciting screenplay Ian Sutherland . To minimize costs, the production wasn't insured and the actors did their own stunts , for instance, some actors actually climbed the mountans and risked landscapes in order to save costs . Very good cast giving nice acting , such as : the veteran and recently deceased Hal Holbrook, Robin Gammell and Lawrence Dane who produced as well.

Gorgeous cinematography by René Verzier, though a perfect remastering being really necessary . Well filmed on location in the following filming locations : Batchawana Bay, Ontario , Lake Superior, Ontario, Canada and studios : Cinespace Film , Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada . The motion picture was competently shot by Peter Carter . He was a craftsman filmmaker , making some passable films as ¨High-Ballin'¨ , ¨Klondike Fever or Adventures of Jack London¨ , ¨Highpoint¨ , but he moved to Television , where he developed most his career until his early death at 48 . As he made several telefilms as ¨The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog¨ , ¨The intruder within¨ , and TV episodes of popular Canadian series , such as : ¨Doctor Locke¨ , ¨The Swiss Family Robinson¨ , ¨The Collaborators¨ , ¨The Rowdyman¨ , ¨Shannon¨ , ¨Wojeck¨ , ¨A Man Called Intrepid , ¨McQueen¨ , ¨Corwin¨ , ¨Telescope¨, among others. Rating : 6.5/10 . Notable and better than average flick . Worthwhile watching .

Long before THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT took the crown of 'lost-in-the-woods-and-stalked-by-evil' movies, there was this poorly distributed low budget gem which deserves reevaluation, and should be seen by any serious horror/thriller enthusiast.

A buddy group of medical field professionals trek into the solitude of the forest for a relaxing fishing trip. On their first day out, their boots mysteriously turn up missing, marking the inception of a tense and distressing game played against an unseen evil adversary. One by one, the men meet grisly fates, and a scattering of vague clues which may reveal the reason behind it all are left to be pondered.

Quite good of its type, and deserving of mention in the same breath as DELIVERANCE and SOUTHERN COMFORT.

7/10.