Don't Go in the Woods

9/5/19811h 22m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Everyone has nightmares about the ugliest way to die. ~

Overview:

Four backpackers decide to take a hike in the mountains of Utah. But within the woods lurks a killer. But who...or what...is it? The lazy local sheriff blames bears. But the escalating body count seems to point to a human killer. Ignoring the warning signs, our campers remain lost in the woods...alone...awaiting their fate.

Director:

James Bryan

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

slasher
camper
video nasty

Cast

Jack McClelland

~ as ~

Peter

Mary Gail Artz

~ as ~

Ingrid

James P. Hayden

~ as ~

Craig

Angie Brown

~ as ~

Joanie

Ken Carter

~ as ~

Sheriff

David Barth

~ as ~

Deputy Benson

Larry Roupe

~ as ~

Store Owner

Amy Martell

~ as ~

Artist's Child

Tom Drury

~ as ~

Maniac

Laura Trefts

~ as ~

Dr. Maggie

View full cast & crew

Reviews (2)

JPV852
Written 4 year(s) ago
2
Really awful in every regard: acting, setting, pacing, intensity, horror/gore. Nothing. And at times, at least early, absolutely hilarious with the dialogue and bad dubbing work. I did watch this very late so I did get a little tired towards the end, but still this is quintessential good-bad territory. 1.0/5
Wuchak
Written 2 year(s) ago
3
Possibly the worst Friday the 13th knockoff of the 80s

Hikers in northern Utah find themselves the prey of a psycho outcast living in the wilderness.

"Don’t Go in the Woods” (1981) is a low-budget slasher in the tradition of “Friday the 13th” (1980). It’s similar to the future "The Final Terror" (1983) and "Berserker” (1987), but those are masterpieces by comparison; so is “Blood Hook” (1986).

Everything is here for a competent slasher, but the creators forgot to include a story with fleshed out characters. As such, the proceedings come across as random gory killings in the wilds (with glaringly fake blood) attached to a dull “story.” It doesn’t help that the “mad” antagonist is too cartoonish to provoke fear.

Some other issues off the top of my head: There’s a rotund Sheriff who could hardly walk a city block on paved sidewalk, let along hike rough trails in the Rockies. Meanwhile the two main female characters are plain Janes so the creators throw in one attractive brunette in the opening snippet, plus a curious cameo of an alluring redhead skater. Then there’s the oddball humor, like the guy in a wheelchair who gets decapitated.

Unless you need to see every 80’s slasher or if you’re interested in quality forest cinematography and thrills à la "Open Season" (1974), give it a pass.

The film runs 1 hour, 22 minutes, and was shot in Utah, southeast or east of Salt Lake City in Provo (falls), Heber City, Brighton and Park City.

GRADE: D+/C-