...a movie without a script totally bombs. From the writer of "Universal Soldier" (1 & 2) and "Hard to Hold", it's a wonder this movie is even as good as it is. The actors and director do a remarkable job despite the drivel they are forced to work with. If they did a total rewrite of this movie, it would probably be pretty good, but as it is, it is somewhat boring and just BLAH. It has some moments but I wouldn't bother unless it is on TV and you are bored anyways.
33 Reviews
Ralphie Parker Versus the Death Valley Slasher
Coventry9 November 2009
I've been on the lookout for this obscure early 80's slasher since many moons, for the same old reason why I often track down films I don't know anything about
Because the poster/cover image here on the IMDb, showing a killer with a knife in the reflection of a little kid's glasses, looks tremendously cool. That's all. So, of course, in too many of these cases the films turn out to be big disappointments, but luckily "Death Valley" is a worthwhile little hidden gem. It's a modest and reasonably stylish slasher/thriller with a marvelous setting (why there aren't any more horror flicks taking place in Death Valley, California is beyond me), an admirably creepy atmosphere, likable characters (no hormone driven teenagers out camping this time), a handful of unexpected brutal killings and a surprisingly well-written screenplay (sometimes). The film begins with a father in New York explaining to his intelligent and eloquent young son Billy – that Ralphie kid from "A Christmas Story" with the big glasses – that he has to spend his vacation with his mother and her new lover down in a touristy cowboy village near Death Valley, California. Once there, and in between the difficult acceptance of new parent process of little Billy, he spots a vicious looking old car following them around. There's a serial killer on the loose in Death Valley and he/she just butchered three people in a motor home. Billy wanders around the area and finds the killer's necklace. From then onwards he's the killer's prime target. "Death Valley" distinguishes itself from the other contemporary slasher flicks because of its dramatic and identifiable sub plot of parental divorce and the children's slow process of accepting mummy/daddy's new life partner. Many (too many even?) sequences revolve on conversations between Billy and his mother, begging him to give the new boyfriend a proper chance. The identity of the killer isn't exactly kept secret and the "twist" near the end is very predictable as well, still director Dick Richards attempts to bring more depth and tension-building than we are used to see in early 80's horror movies. The handful of murders are, as said, fairly gruesome with some slit throats and a lovely axe in the chest moment. There's also a hilarious comical interlude when Billy has to remain at home with the babysitter. She's a corpulent eating machine who munches all of the kid's chocolate, crisps and ice cream.
Fine cast, so-so thriller.
Hey_Sweden23 December 2012
I really don't think it's as bad as the review in the Leonard Maltin paperback would indicate; it's just not particularly distinguished. It places a child front and centre and in a considerable amount of jeopardy as he runs afoul of a sadistic serial killer in Death Valley. This kid is Billy (Peter Billingsley of "A Christmas Story" fame), an NYC native devoted to his loving dad (Edward Herrmann) who visits his mom (Catherine Hicks) and her new boyfriend (Paul Le Mat) in Arizona. While visiting the site of an abandoned gold mine, he enters an RV and pilfers a necklace that he finds, not knowing that he's obtained valuable evidence that links the killer to the scene of a crime. From then it's sort of a cat and mouse game as the killer sets out to keep Billy quiet. Dick Richards ("Farewell, My Lovely", "March or Die") directs from Richard Rothstein's script, which starts out as if it's going to be told entirely from the childs' perspective as he tries to come to terms with his parents' divorce and with the new man in his moms' life. Soon enough, it edges into slasher film territory, as our killer chops up unfortunate victims. It also attempts to make a substantial character out of our villains' car, which features a vanity plate with the word "hex" on it. The actors do a creditable job; Herrmann shines in what is really a very brief part, and Hicks and Le Mat are likewise very likable. (Le Mat has one standout scene where he's trying to make a connection with Billingsley.) And speaking of Billingsley, he also creates an endearing character and doesn't fall into the trap of being too cute. Good ol' Wilford Brimley is engaging as the local sheriff. But the show is stolen by Stephen McHattie who's as intense as he's ever been, and in fact he has one amusingly off kilter scene where he's intimidating our heroes as he stalks across the roof of his house. Another scene that the viewer will vividly remember is the scene with a corpulent babysitter who does little else besides stuff her face and then pay a big price at the hands of the killer. The thundering music by Dana Kaproff does its best to manipulate us, but what is far and away the biggest asset to the film is the on location shooting. The twist ending just comes off as a little silly. Overall, this is a passable time killer but no more. Six out of 10.
That Babysitter DESERVED IT!
XFA24 October 2004
Yep - I like this film. I am also happy to finally see a promotional photo for this film , thank you a lot IMDb! I have a copy of this film. I find this film a one-of-a-kind. I like it cause it's early 80s. And I LOVE what happens to the eat-too-much babysitter! LOL I never see this for rental at the video store - I had actually seen it on TV.... Not that this is a marvelous film , but I have definitely sat through more boring , supposed-to-scare-me films. Not exactly gore , not exactly a slasher - Hard to pinpoint this one exactly , but I'll call this a thriller - with a touch of mystery....with a completely 80s-style view. PEACE
Just shoot his eye out, kid!
mark.waltz16 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Just your ordinary 80's slasher film has throats cut, hatchets tossed in chests, and kids being stalked, and for Scrooges that hate the holiday perennial "A Christmas Story", that's perfect revenge for Peter Billingsley who becomes one of many intended targets for a vicious serial killer with divorced Catherine Hicks taking son Billingsley on a road trip with her newest boyfriend. Billingsley notices a car moving far too fast towards them while they are on the road, and the audience witnesses a young couple obviously having sex when out of the blue one of them gets the Sweeney Todd treatment. There's a gruesome attack on the local sheriff, and other victims (including a babysitter who is too interested in snacking rather than sitting) get violent deaths. With a kid as a possible target, the audience gets more fear in their bowl rather than popcorn.
While this probably has a bit of a cult following, I found it dull with far too much talking and not enough slashing, although personally, that's not my thing. But this is a horror film, not a family film, and there's little in the way of action. Edward Herrman has a small part as Hicks' ex, seen in tge opening that follows a montage with him and Billingsley exploring Manhattan, and Wilford Brimley, a few years before he became a recognizable character actor seen everywhere, is seen briefly as well. This is far too predictable and rather exploitive so I lost interest pretty quickly. Too gruesome for TV, but too trashy for mainstream big release, it's one of those dusty old films that horror movie fans will seek out for collective genre viewing then quickly forget about.
While this probably has a bit of a cult following, I found it dull with far too much talking and not enough slashing, although personally, that's not my thing. But this is a horror film, not a family film, and there's little in the way of action. Edward Herrman has a small part as Hicks' ex, seen in tge opening that follows a montage with him and Billingsley exploring Manhattan, and Wilford Brimley, a few years before he became a recognizable character actor seen everywhere, is seen briefly as well. This is far too predictable and rather exploitive so I lost interest pretty quickly. Too gruesome for TV, but too trashy for mainstream big release, it's one of those dusty old films that horror movie fans will seek out for collective genre viewing then quickly forget about.
"Lets see if your gun is loud as your mouth"
lost-in-limbo24 July 2010
Coming out during the influx of the slasher craze, "Death Valley" could be seen as one of those unlucky films that got lost in the crowd and was pushed aside with those lesser imitations. Unfortunately if that's the case it's undeserved (sadly no DVD release either), as it's a lot more accomplished than its rancid shockers. One thing though, it was one of those video cases that always drew me to its strikingly cool artwork.
Billy and his recently divorced mother leave New York for a vacation to California to meet up with her new boyfriend. For Billy it's hard seeing his mum with another man, but it's the less of his worries. As on their vacation to "Death Valley", Billy stumbles across an empty RV and picks up a necklace. Later they come across this RV again, but it was in an accident or so it seems. Unknowingly to them, there have been brutal murders in "Death Valley" and killer now has Billy in his sights.
"Death Valley" is like a second-rate Hitchcock-like thriller that decently grows on bone-rattling suspense, taking time to let the characters and circumstances unfold that when the threatening tic-tack-toe nature breaks out we're put in an act of alarm and desperation. It really puts the characters on the spot and breathing down an ominous air, the material doesn't do much to hide the killer's identity and the surprise twist is easy to figure out. The rural California locations do it wonders, as the secluded landscapes are harsh and vast with it being truly alienating --- nowhere to hide and help is a long way. Dick Richards directs with panache and vision, orchestrating the unhinged sounds (a suspenseful music score) and observatory imagery (moody camera angles and slow-motion) with the foreseeable one-track story. While slow-winding, as it's slowed up by passages involving family issues --- Billy accepting his mother's new boyfriend, but this does give it a grounded sincerity to the character's relationships and dynamics. These moments are broken up by the heighten tension and an odd nasty jolt that's well-timed by throwing you off with false bumps.
Performances are agreeable. Peter Billingsley (whose massive glasses are somewhat distracting) is likable as the know-all Billy and Catherine Hicks is simply delightful (although she does some questionable actions in the film's climax) as Billy's mother. Paul Le Mat is sturdy, but does look quite bemused more often. Wilford Brimley is hardy as the suspicious sheriff and Stephen McHattie is suitably random and menacing. There's also a minor part for Edward Herrmann at the beginning as Billy's father.
Nothing special, but a diverting, fine old-fashion thriller with the modern unpleasantness.
Billy and his recently divorced mother leave New York for a vacation to California to meet up with her new boyfriend. For Billy it's hard seeing his mum with another man, but it's the less of his worries. As on their vacation to "Death Valley", Billy stumbles across an empty RV and picks up a necklace. Later they come across this RV again, but it was in an accident or so it seems. Unknowingly to them, there have been brutal murders in "Death Valley" and killer now has Billy in his sights.
"Death Valley" is like a second-rate Hitchcock-like thriller that decently grows on bone-rattling suspense, taking time to let the characters and circumstances unfold that when the threatening tic-tack-toe nature breaks out we're put in an act of alarm and desperation. It really puts the characters on the spot and breathing down an ominous air, the material doesn't do much to hide the killer's identity and the surprise twist is easy to figure out. The rural California locations do it wonders, as the secluded landscapes are harsh and vast with it being truly alienating --- nowhere to hide and help is a long way. Dick Richards directs with panache and vision, orchestrating the unhinged sounds (a suspenseful music score) and observatory imagery (moody camera angles and slow-motion) with the foreseeable one-track story. While slow-winding, as it's slowed up by passages involving family issues --- Billy accepting his mother's new boyfriend, but this does give it a grounded sincerity to the character's relationships and dynamics. These moments are broken up by the heighten tension and an odd nasty jolt that's well-timed by throwing you off with false bumps.
Performances are agreeable. Peter Billingsley (whose massive glasses are somewhat distracting) is likable as the know-all Billy and Catherine Hicks is simply delightful (although she does some questionable actions in the film's climax) as Billy's mother. Paul Le Mat is sturdy, but does look quite bemused more often. Wilford Brimley is hardy as the suspicious sheriff and Stephen McHattie is suitably random and menacing. There's also a minor part for Edward Herrmann at the beginning as Billy's father.
Nothing special, but a diverting, fine old-fashion thriller with the modern unpleasantness.
Unbelievably Awful!!!
mcgirr11 December 2007
It's hard to believe that a movie this bad could actually be released. The dialog was unnatural. Especially poor was the portrayal of the relationship between the boy and his future step-father. I guess you could say that they succeeded in producing awkward dialog, but what was said seemed false and artificial. The suspense just wasn't there. The music was about as bad as it gets. The only reason I watched this movie was because I live in the Death Valley area and was curious about what locations would show up on the screen. Fortunately the movie was on TV and so I didn't waste any money renting this sorry excuse for a film! I honestly believe that most amateurs could put together a more captivating plot than was presented here. It's too bad that the time of an entire film crew was wasted on such trash! I guess the only positive thing I can say about the movie is that some of the scenery was good.
Much more of a thriller than a horror, slow paced but decent
Robert_duder26 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I had never heard of this film and as a huge horror buff and even more of an 80's horror buff, I was instantly intrigued. The fact that this introduced A Christmas Story's "Ralphie" was kind of neat and the story sounded like a good old fashion slasher flick. Well I wouldn't even classify this as a slasher flick although a few times it does certainly try. I would say the story is much more of a thriller and even that is pushing it simply because the pacing of the movie is very slow. They could have really edited this down as it spends a whole lot of time establishing the main youngster. Its sort of like you're watching home videos of his entire vacation and then at the tail end a killer shows up. As expected from a low budget 80's horror movie the kills are a little cheesy and the blood is so light red that it looks like strawberry ice cream syrup. (This isn't a complaint because this is just true 80's, just an observation.) There is also a completely unnecessary and forced scene of topless-ness that made me laugh out loud because it was so blatantly pushed into the scene. Again, this isn't a complaint just an observation of a classic low budget 80's move.
As I mentioned Peter Billingsley makes his big screen debut as Billy. He is really the quintessential youngster. He looks adorable, he loves cowboys and guns and he is a good actor! He is believable and fun and you really root for him partially because of his performance and partially because they spend so much time focusing on developing his character. Catherine Hicks is the perfect 80's horror movie Mom. She reminded me a lot of Andy's Mom in Child's Play and that's a compliment. She is perfect in her role and helps support Billingsley's performance. Paul Le Mat is the new man in Hicks' life that Billy has to warm up to. He does a good job and plays his role well. He and Hicks have very good chemistry and...attempting to not give anything away...I was relieved at how they ended the film. Somehow you become attached to his character as Billingsley's character becomes attached to him. Veteran actor Wilford Brimley's name is all over this film but he has barely more than a cameo in the film as the old Sheriff. He is basically a B character to be fodder for our killer. Jack O'Leary is our crazed killer and he's good but very cheesy and campy. He overplays his scenes and the final scene when he battles with Le Mat is so hokey that you'll be howling with laughter. It is so choreographed and just really overplayed.
Director Dick Richards does an adequate job as director. However, he should have took a harder look at editing the film. The pacing is far too slow and the killer is far too hokey. On top of that, the story is about as deep as a hillside. There is no rhyme or reason to the killer's spree and the thinnest of reason behind him stalking little Billy. The entire concept of the killer coming after him because he found his necklace in an RV is ludicrous. All the shortcomings of the film are overcome by a solid lead in Billingsley, and the fact that this was a low budget 80s thriller and that automatically allows for some wiggle room in the camp department. Horror fans will enjoy it, but it is certain to not blow anyone away. 7/10
As I mentioned Peter Billingsley makes his big screen debut as Billy. He is really the quintessential youngster. He looks adorable, he loves cowboys and guns and he is a good actor! He is believable and fun and you really root for him partially because of his performance and partially because they spend so much time focusing on developing his character. Catherine Hicks is the perfect 80's horror movie Mom. She reminded me a lot of Andy's Mom in Child's Play and that's a compliment. She is perfect in her role and helps support Billingsley's performance. Paul Le Mat is the new man in Hicks' life that Billy has to warm up to. He does a good job and plays his role well. He and Hicks have very good chemistry and...attempting to not give anything away...I was relieved at how they ended the film. Somehow you become attached to his character as Billingsley's character becomes attached to him. Veteran actor Wilford Brimley's name is all over this film but he has barely more than a cameo in the film as the old Sheriff. He is basically a B character to be fodder for our killer. Jack O'Leary is our crazed killer and he's good but very cheesy and campy. He overplays his scenes and the final scene when he battles with Le Mat is so hokey that you'll be howling with laughter. It is so choreographed and just really overplayed.
Director Dick Richards does an adequate job as director. However, he should have took a harder look at editing the film. The pacing is far too slow and the killer is far too hokey. On top of that, the story is about as deep as a hillside. There is no rhyme or reason to the killer's spree and the thinnest of reason behind him stalking little Billy. The entire concept of the killer coming after him because he found his necklace in an RV is ludicrous. All the shortcomings of the film are overcome by a solid lead in Billingsley, and the fact that this was a low budget 80s thriller and that automatically allows for some wiggle room in the camp department. Horror fans will enjoy it, but it is certain to not blow anyone away. 7/10
National Lampoon's Vacation.
greene51529 March 2014
A divorced mother, Catherine Hicks her young son A Christmas Story's Peter Billingsley and her new boyfriend American Graffiti's Matt Clark. set out on a road trip through Death Valley and run afoul of a local serial killer, Stephen McHattie co-stars who is as usual intense, a post John Carpenter's 'The Thing' Wilford Brimley shows up as the sheriff investigating the gruesome goings on,the gore is badly done in this one! it looks akin to bright red poster paint! one of the highlights is the scene with the greedy babysitter who gets her just desserts!
Death Valley s a great sounding premise, but sadly it runs out of steam and it is let down by an all to abrupt ending,
Death Valley s a great sounding premise, but sadly it runs out of steam and it is let down by an all to abrupt ending,
Kid in peril - you won't see that today
udar5525 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Billy (Peter Billingsley) heads from New York to Arizona with his recently divorced mom (Catherine Hicks) so she can hook up with old high school boyfriend Mike (Paul Le Mat). Along the way, the makeshift family stumbles upon the handiwork of a local serial killer. When they report it to the sheriff (Wilford Brimley), word gets out and the killer comes looking for quasi-witness Billy. This hard-to-find early 80s horror offering is unique in that the person being stalked is a 9-year-old. I doubt you would ever see a major studio film today with a kid being in the line of fire from two killers. Unfortunately, the film has little else going for it.
The identity of the killer is given away almost immediately, with a "shock" ending added on that won't surprise you. Stephen McHattie, who was the robber in Cronenberg's A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, plays the set of evil twins and is good. It isn't really a shock because you know right off the bat that his character Hal has a brother. Their motive for killing (keeping people away from Pa's worthless goldmine) is straight outta SCOOBY DOO.
Watching the film and its desert locations and creepy set ups, I wondered if Eric Red saw it and thought to himself, "Man, I wonder what this would be like if done right?" before writing THE HITCHER. Edward Herrmann has a completely thankless role as Billingsley's father in one scene. Since he is in it so little, I suspect he might be the killer. I guess not.
The identity of the killer is given away almost immediately, with a "shock" ending added on that won't surprise you. Stephen McHattie, who was the robber in Cronenberg's A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, plays the set of evil twins and is good. It isn't really a shock because you know right off the bat that his character Hal has a brother. Their motive for killing (keeping people away from Pa's worthless goldmine) is straight outta SCOOBY DOO.
Watching the film and its desert locations and creepy set ups, I wondered if Eric Red saw it and thought to himself, "Man, I wonder what this would be like if done right?" before writing THE HITCHER. Edward Herrmann has a completely thankless role as Billingsley's father in one scene. Since he is in it so little, I suspect he might be the killer. I guess not.
Occasionally shows promise, but mostly mediocre.
BA_Harrison9 July 2020
A divorced mother, Sally (Catherine Hicks), her young son Billy (Peter Billingsley), and her new boyfriend Mike (Paul Le Mat) take a road trip through Arizona, stopping off at various tourist traps. While at a disused gold mine, Billy discovers an abandoned R.V., which he explores, unaware that the owners have been murdered by a serial killer who has been slashing travellers' throats for the past five years (and apparently cleaning up behind himself: he leaves the R.V. spotless). Inside the vehicle, Billy finds a frog-shaped medallion, which he pockets, unaware that it is a clue to the identity of the killer.
Directed by Dick Richards (producer of Tootsie), Death Valley is, for the most part, a forgettable horror/thriller that delivers very little in the way of suspense or genuine chills, Billy's perpetual peril failing to generate the intended tension. I found the kid thoroughly obnoxious and was longing for him to be bumped off; sadly, this doesn't happen. The early R.V. murders show some promise, Richards ticking both the gore and nudity boxes (a gashed throat and a smashing pair of breasts), and the later brutal slaying of a local sheriff (Wilford Brimley) with a pickaxe is both shocking and bloody, but the bulk of the film is extremely lacklustre, the biggest letdown being the death of Billy's gluttonous babysitter (Mary Steelsmith): she has her throat unconvincingly slashed with a joke shop knife (squeeze the handle to squirt fake blood) - I was at least hoping for her to be choked to death on that banana split!
The revelation that the antagonist has an equally psychotic twin is treated as a surprise, although it is clearly stated that murderous waiter Hal (Stephen McHattie) has a brother named Stu, so it's a given that he'll make an appearance at the end, just as Billy, Sally and Mike think that the horror is over. It's that predictable!
Directed by Dick Richards (producer of Tootsie), Death Valley is, for the most part, a forgettable horror/thriller that delivers very little in the way of suspense or genuine chills, Billy's perpetual peril failing to generate the intended tension. I found the kid thoroughly obnoxious and was longing for him to be bumped off; sadly, this doesn't happen. The early R.V. murders show some promise, Richards ticking both the gore and nudity boxes (a gashed throat and a smashing pair of breasts), and the later brutal slaying of a local sheriff (Wilford Brimley) with a pickaxe is both shocking and bloody, but the bulk of the film is extremely lacklustre, the biggest letdown being the death of Billy's gluttonous babysitter (Mary Steelsmith): she has her throat unconvincingly slashed with a joke shop knife (squeeze the handle to squirt fake blood) - I was at least hoping for her to be choked to death on that banana split!
The revelation that the antagonist has an equally psychotic twin is treated as a surprise, although it is clearly stated that murderous waiter Hal (Stephen McHattie) has a brother named Stu, so it's a given that he'll make an appearance at the end, just as Billy, Sally and Mike think that the horror is over. It's that predictable!
Gina Christian is the reason tube tops were invented!
gein24 January 2000
This film is not as bad as many people would have you believe. Peter "The Dirt Bike Kid" Billingsley, in his first starring role, plays Billy, a boy who is forced to vacation with his mother and her boyfriend in the middle of the hot California desert. During a desert outing, a bored Billy decides to do a little exploration and comes across a seemingly abandoned RV. Unbeknownst to Billy the RV contains the freshly butchered bodies of three teenagers who are stuffed into the forward compartment. Billy nearly opens the forward compartment's door when he's pulled out and reprimanded by his mother's boyfriend. Billy doesn't leave empty handed though; he has stolen a necklace that he found on the RV's floor.
Later the necklace becomes a clue that is handed over with much guilt and tears to the town's sheriff played by Wilford Brimley. Soon after, the sheriff has a mining pick stuck in his chest after stupidly going over to the killer's house with clue in hand and basically asking, "Hey, look what I found at a murder scene," and knowing full well that the necklace belongs to the killer. Oops!
The killer believes Billy knows too much and needs to be eliminated. From this point on the film becomes a tense cat-and-mouse game that ends with more than a few dead.
Death Valley was released in 1982 without much fanfare or promotion and was quickly lost among the glut of slasher films being churned out by Hollywood at that time. That is unfortunate because the film features everything horror fans love: breasts, gore and excitement. This film also features a tense Henry Manfredini-like musical score by Dana Kaproff and excellent cinematography by Stephen Burum. Billy's mother is played by the beautiful Katherine Hicks (spelled Catherine on the video box) who played Marilyn Monroe in the television movie, Marilyn: The Untold Story.
Another reason to watch this film is for the brief appearance of Gina Christian, in her only film role, as R.V. Girl. Gina Christian is the reason tube tops were invented. Wow!
Later the necklace becomes a clue that is handed over with much guilt and tears to the town's sheriff played by Wilford Brimley. Soon after, the sheriff has a mining pick stuck in his chest after stupidly going over to the killer's house with clue in hand and basically asking, "Hey, look what I found at a murder scene," and knowing full well that the necklace belongs to the killer. Oops!
The killer believes Billy knows too much and needs to be eliminated. From this point on the film becomes a tense cat-and-mouse game that ends with more than a few dead.
Death Valley was released in 1982 without much fanfare or promotion and was quickly lost among the glut of slasher films being churned out by Hollywood at that time. That is unfortunate because the film features everything horror fans love: breasts, gore and excitement. This film also features a tense Henry Manfredini-like musical score by Dana Kaproff and excellent cinematography by Stephen Burum. Billy's mother is played by the beautiful Katherine Hicks (spelled Catherine on the video box) who played Marilyn Monroe in the television movie, Marilyn: The Untold Story.
Another reason to watch this film is for the brief appearance of Gina Christian, in her only film role, as R.V. Girl. Gina Christian is the reason tube tops were invented. Wow!
A decent rare movie.
acidburn-1022 January 2014
This was one of the many slashers that kinda came and went during the 1980's. Not one of the remembered ones though and not quite a classic though, but still a decent movie.
The storyline is different from the usual fodder instead of featuring a group of thirty year old teenagers, we get a young boy named Billy who goes to visit his mother and stepfather and the three of them decide to take a little holiday to the infamous "Death Valley" where Billy stumbles upon a crime scene and then becomes the target of a serial killer, who then starts to stalk him.
"Death Valley" really does have a decent story line and interesting characters allowing us time to get to know each of them, but it does lack in the actual slashing department, but it's actually more story driven than most and the killer was actually quite menacing, he wears no mask or anything and no motive which makes things even more creepier. But the pacing of this movie doesn't quite pick up speed and it does get rather tiresome at times, but the scene where the boy is being stalked does keep you at the edge of your seat and creates tension and the twist at the end was pretty decent and came to a total surprise.
The acting was really good which is kind of rare for an 80's slasher movie. Peter Billingsley was spot on as the young Billy he was really good. Catherine Hicks was also a real highlight in this movie as well and who I recognize from the first Chucky movie, nice to see her in another horror movie. Paul Lemat was also decent as the stepfather as well and Stephen McHattie who played the creepy serial killer was menacing and really decent also.
All in all a decent enough movie, not much in the blood or gore department but still worth a look if you're into forgotten movies.
The storyline is different from the usual fodder instead of featuring a group of thirty year old teenagers, we get a young boy named Billy who goes to visit his mother and stepfather and the three of them decide to take a little holiday to the infamous "Death Valley" where Billy stumbles upon a crime scene and then becomes the target of a serial killer, who then starts to stalk him.
"Death Valley" really does have a decent story line and interesting characters allowing us time to get to know each of them, but it does lack in the actual slashing department, but it's actually more story driven than most and the killer was actually quite menacing, he wears no mask or anything and no motive which makes things even more creepier. But the pacing of this movie doesn't quite pick up speed and it does get rather tiresome at times, but the scene where the boy is being stalked does keep you at the edge of your seat and creates tension and the twist at the end was pretty decent and came to a total surprise.
The acting was really good which is kind of rare for an 80's slasher movie. Peter Billingsley was spot on as the young Billy he was really good. Catherine Hicks was also a real highlight in this movie as well and who I recognize from the first Chucky movie, nice to see her in another horror movie. Paul Lemat was also decent as the stepfather as well and Stephen McHattie who played the creepy serial killer was menacing and really decent also.
All in all a decent enough movie, not much in the blood or gore department but still worth a look if you're into forgotten movies.
Death Valley
Scarecrow-8831 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Decent 80's slasher with divorcée Sally(Catherine Hicks)and her son Billy(Peter Billingsley)meeting mom's new boyfriend, Mike(Paul Le Mat), in Arizona, touring Death Valley, running into murderous Hal(Stephen McHattie)and another accomplice along the way. With Edward Herrmann as Billy's Princeton professor father and Wilford Brimley as the sheriff of his county where the murders reside. We see how Mike has a hard time getting Billy to like him, these kinds of situations(mom's new boyfriend attempting to smooth out many uncomfortable wrinkles with his potential stepson)present those awkward complications as the older man and the difficult boy, attached so emotionally and lovingly to his real father, find some sort of common ground. This slasher derives it's suspense from the idea that a boy is in danger, a psychopath(s) knowing that Billy is the key to implicating him(them)of the serial killer murders. Most of the violence consists of the killer using a knife to slice throats(it's clearly the old knife gag where the prop distributes blood from a trigger as the one using the weapon pulls the fake blade across the victims' throats)of those he attacks from behind. Solid cast in a rather so-so little thriller, with a loud score used to unnerve the audience. McHattie really owns the film as the menace out to get little Billy. Opens as if the movie was to be a family film about the complexities of a boy adapting to a possible new man and location in his life, and then settles into it's slasher routine. Little Billy encounters a mobile home where a triple homicide took place and confiscates a necklace with a toad which he hands to the sheriff(also Hal sees little Billy with it at the restaurant for which he works)soon involving himself, inadvertently, with Hal.
It's really no surprise if you haven't heard of this one
basil19849 April 2014
If you'd heard nothing about 'Death Valley' and never seen the poster, you'd get about a quarter through the film still thinking it was an overly angsty kid's movie about dealing with divorce. To your surprise, you'd find that the film is one of the most gussied-up, glitzy actor'd, low-brow slasher flicks every made.
Despite an impressive cast, it's really no surprise if you haven't heard of this one – I hadn't and I'm a child of the 80's. In 1982, with slasher films reaching their apex of interest, and audiences demanding more and more outlandish scenarios, director Dick Richards (better known for westerns and noir) set out to make a serious suspense thriller told from a young boy's perspective. Fortunately (or otherwise), he succeeded only in finding a bizarre new genre-limbo somewhere between 'Kramer vs. Kramer' and 'Slumber Party Massacre'; 'Death Valley' is a bit of an awkward fit.
Billy, played by Peter Billingsley ('A Christmas Story'), is as sublime a 'natural' as ever there was in the role of the young boy in question. He lives in Manhattan with his father, a rather sophisticated businessman played by Edward Herrmann ('The Lost Boys') and is about to take a vacation out west with his mother (Catherine Hicks – 'Child's Play') and her corn-fed boyfriend (Paul Le Mat – 'American Graffiti'). There's no question that Billy is none too pleased at the prospect but he's immediately shown to be both mature and intelligent enough to cope.
Aside from Billy's misplaced distrust of his mother's new beau, the newly-formed family unit begins a trek across the deserts of Arizona with only the mildest of dysfunction in tow. Our first hint that the story will dive into dread comes when Billy notices an ominous old Cadillac passing on the highway; the scene recalls Spielberg's 'Duel' or Carpenter's 'Christine'. From here the film spirals down into a bloody-red murder mystery with Billingsley as the hunted witness and Wilford Brimley ('The Thing') as the bumbling highway cop without any hope of protecting this unsuspecting family from a mysterious killer.
There really is a punch about a third of the way into the film (around the time we see a completely obligatory topless vixen and tomato-soup-red blood pouring from the neck of a victim – whose killing has no motivation by the way) that the whole tone turns on its head. 'Death Valley' feels a bit like 2 movies with 2 different directors - who have vastly different goals - just collaged together without much care or purpose. It's no wonder that Universal didn't really know what to do with this one; it sat in a can for over a year before it was released. Purpose aside, I sat down and tried to figure out why this film doesn't work and, in doing so, I found myself with a list of all the reasons it does: big names, epic cinematography (filmed almost entirely on location), Wilford Brimley, 1980's nostalgia (see 'SIMON'), unapologetic child-in-peril scenario, and neon-orange blood splattered across half of the movie. What's not to like?
Despite an impressive cast, it's really no surprise if you haven't heard of this one – I hadn't and I'm a child of the 80's. In 1982, with slasher films reaching their apex of interest, and audiences demanding more and more outlandish scenarios, director Dick Richards (better known for westerns and noir) set out to make a serious suspense thriller told from a young boy's perspective. Fortunately (or otherwise), he succeeded only in finding a bizarre new genre-limbo somewhere between 'Kramer vs. Kramer' and 'Slumber Party Massacre'; 'Death Valley' is a bit of an awkward fit.
Billy, played by Peter Billingsley ('A Christmas Story'), is as sublime a 'natural' as ever there was in the role of the young boy in question. He lives in Manhattan with his father, a rather sophisticated businessman played by Edward Herrmann ('The Lost Boys') and is about to take a vacation out west with his mother (Catherine Hicks – 'Child's Play') and her corn-fed boyfriend (Paul Le Mat – 'American Graffiti'). There's no question that Billy is none too pleased at the prospect but he's immediately shown to be both mature and intelligent enough to cope.
Aside from Billy's misplaced distrust of his mother's new beau, the newly-formed family unit begins a trek across the deserts of Arizona with only the mildest of dysfunction in tow. Our first hint that the story will dive into dread comes when Billy notices an ominous old Cadillac passing on the highway; the scene recalls Spielberg's 'Duel' or Carpenter's 'Christine'. From here the film spirals down into a bloody-red murder mystery with Billingsley as the hunted witness and Wilford Brimley ('The Thing') as the bumbling highway cop without any hope of protecting this unsuspecting family from a mysterious killer.
There really is a punch about a third of the way into the film (around the time we see a completely obligatory topless vixen and tomato-soup-red blood pouring from the neck of a victim – whose killing has no motivation by the way) that the whole tone turns on its head. 'Death Valley' feels a bit like 2 movies with 2 different directors - who have vastly different goals - just collaged together without much care or purpose. It's no wonder that Universal didn't really know what to do with this one; it sat in a can for over a year before it was released. Purpose aside, I sat down and tried to figure out why this film doesn't work and, in doing so, I found myself with a list of all the reasons it does: big names, epic cinematography (filmed almost entirely on location), Wilford Brimley, 1980's nostalgia (see 'SIMON'), unapologetic child-in-peril scenario, and neon-orange blood splattered across half of the movie. What's not to like?
I was looking for a slasher movie, not a boring movie
vampyrecowboy21 October 2006
It's boring.
It's slow.
Where are the nasty and brutal murders? Where is the tension that is supposed to scare us? This is like watching Sesame Street without the funny characters of Ernie and Bert or Grover.
It's really lame.
Maybe it was the writing...maybe the direction...maybe the acting, maybe the editing, maybe the cinematography, maybe the special effects, maybe the makeup.
Maybe all of the above brought this to something barely able to keep your eyes focused on.
I wanted to get scared...not bored.
This didn't scare me...it didn't even interest me...I had more fun watching the time on the microwave instead of watching this film.
Don't bother to buy it..and if you see it on television by some freak chance, there is no need to tuck the kids asleep.
It's slow.
Where are the nasty and brutal murders? Where is the tension that is supposed to scare us? This is like watching Sesame Street without the funny characters of Ernie and Bert or Grover.
It's really lame.
Maybe it was the writing...maybe the direction...maybe the acting, maybe the editing, maybe the cinematography, maybe the special effects, maybe the makeup.
Maybe all of the above brought this to something barely able to keep your eyes focused on.
I wanted to get scared...not bored.
This didn't scare me...it didn't even interest me...I had more fun watching the time on the microwave instead of watching this film.
Don't bother to buy it..and if you see it on television by some freak chance, there is no need to tuck the kids asleep.
Incorrectly classified as a slasher
slayrrr6668 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
"Death Valley" is a really underwhelming slasher film with a few things going for it.
**SPOILERS**
Getting a divorce, Hal, (Stephen McHattie) talks his son Billy, (Peter Billingsley) into going with ex-wife Sally, (Catherine Hicks) while she goes to California. Meeting with old friend Mike, (Paul Le Mat) upon arriving, they decide to visit Death Valley together. As they spend more and more time together, upsetting him more, they start to believe that a serial killer is loose in the area after a series of accidents along the way. The local Sheriff, (Wilford Brimley) feels that a notorious madman is still loose and offers them safety in a nearby Wild West novelty town. Taking a while to realize that the killer has followed them back to their hotel and has targeted them, they race to save him and stop the murderer before it's too late.
The Good News: There wasn't a whole lot here that actually worked. One of the few things it does do right is it's stalking scenes. They're wonderfully done, have an appreciable length, and at times are actually suspenseful. It's hard to pick which one's are the best, as there's lots of good ones. The big one in the hotel could be one, as there's a lot of interaction between the killer and intended victim that leads to a couple really nice confrontations between the two. A romp through a museum of Wild West memorabilia isn't that bad, and it also manages to really get in some unknown confrontations with the two early on than most. The most suspenseful is a pretty eerie walk-through of a supposed abandoned motor-home, that just has all sorts of vibes and atmosphere running through it. There's also a really big finale that is quite nice to see. A lot of action, all the pieces to the puzzle fall into place for every opportunity, and a lot happens that manages to really entertain to a big point. This is also when it goes into full overdrive and manages to showcase all it's slasher elements, including it's several confrontations and put in some really nice stalking scenes into the mix along with a couple of great confrontations and fights. These here are all the movie has in it's favor.
The Bad News: This here doesn't have a whole lot wrong, but they are major flaws. The biggest one is the sheer minuscule body count. It's almost not even right to consider this a slasher as there's nearly no slashing going on. There's a half-dozen deaths in here, several are off-screen and never found out what happened, one is run over in a car, and the others are so cliché and uninteresting that they don't deserve mentioning. These methods really decry the fact that this is a slasher film with pretty much easy picking. Another really big flaw is the really slow pace on hand. This takes forever to get going, spending most of the early going concentrating on the developing romance between the friends and how the son reacts to them. It's almost from out of another film entirely and doesn't really seem to be indicative of a slasher at all, as there's almost forty-five minutes until the first kill takes place on-screen, and with it's puny death-count, that leaves a lot of boredom in the early sections of the film. The other really big flaw is that this offers up no motivation for anything that happens. We never know why the killer is going on the rampage, what the reason is or why the targets where selected. They were simply out-of-contact with everyone around and there were no witnesses around, leaving only a state of confusion as to why they were inflicted. All these reasons drag the film down considerably.
The Final Verdict: This one isn't all that spectacular a slasher film, and by most standards is hard pressed to be called as such. Really only recommended to the curious or the most die-hard fanatic, while more casual ones can skip this and get requirements elsewhere.
Rated R: Violence, Language and children in danger
**SPOILERS**
Getting a divorce, Hal, (Stephen McHattie) talks his son Billy, (Peter Billingsley) into going with ex-wife Sally, (Catherine Hicks) while she goes to California. Meeting with old friend Mike, (Paul Le Mat) upon arriving, they decide to visit Death Valley together. As they spend more and more time together, upsetting him more, they start to believe that a serial killer is loose in the area after a series of accidents along the way. The local Sheriff, (Wilford Brimley) feels that a notorious madman is still loose and offers them safety in a nearby Wild West novelty town. Taking a while to realize that the killer has followed them back to their hotel and has targeted them, they race to save him and stop the murderer before it's too late.
The Good News: There wasn't a whole lot here that actually worked. One of the few things it does do right is it's stalking scenes. They're wonderfully done, have an appreciable length, and at times are actually suspenseful. It's hard to pick which one's are the best, as there's lots of good ones. The big one in the hotel could be one, as there's a lot of interaction between the killer and intended victim that leads to a couple really nice confrontations between the two. A romp through a museum of Wild West memorabilia isn't that bad, and it also manages to really get in some unknown confrontations with the two early on than most. The most suspenseful is a pretty eerie walk-through of a supposed abandoned motor-home, that just has all sorts of vibes and atmosphere running through it. There's also a really big finale that is quite nice to see. A lot of action, all the pieces to the puzzle fall into place for every opportunity, and a lot happens that manages to really entertain to a big point. This is also when it goes into full overdrive and manages to showcase all it's slasher elements, including it's several confrontations and put in some really nice stalking scenes into the mix along with a couple of great confrontations and fights. These here are all the movie has in it's favor.
The Bad News: This here doesn't have a whole lot wrong, but they are major flaws. The biggest one is the sheer minuscule body count. It's almost not even right to consider this a slasher as there's nearly no slashing going on. There's a half-dozen deaths in here, several are off-screen and never found out what happened, one is run over in a car, and the others are so cliché and uninteresting that they don't deserve mentioning. These methods really decry the fact that this is a slasher film with pretty much easy picking. Another really big flaw is the really slow pace on hand. This takes forever to get going, spending most of the early going concentrating on the developing romance between the friends and how the son reacts to them. It's almost from out of another film entirely and doesn't really seem to be indicative of a slasher at all, as there's almost forty-five minutes until the first kill takes place on-screen, and with it's puny death-count, that leaves a lot of boredom in the early sections of the film. The other really big flaw is that this offers up no motivation for anything that happens. We never know why the killer is going on the rampage, what the reason is or why the targets where selected. They were simply out-of-contact with everyone around and there were no witnesses around, leaving only a state of confusion as to why they were inflicted. All these reasons drag the film down considerably.
The Final Verdict: This one isn't all that spectacular a slasher film, and by most standards is hard pressed to be called as such. Really only recommended to the curious or the most die-hard fanatic, while more casual ones can skip this and get requirements elsewhere.
Rated R: Violence, Language and children in danger
Someone wasn't paying attention when making a review...
iiyuurikoii4 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I remember someone saying that the killer was two people but clearly only listed one in the credits; thats because if you pay attention to the movie which that person clearly did not, or didn't even bother to watch the end; you'd realize in the beginning the sheriff and tow trucker were talking about 'twins'. which are played by the same actor!
The movie is good for it's era'. It could have used a bit more work in where setting and plot was involved like going into more depth that the twins existed at all; but other than that if the movie was ever on big screen I wouldn't have paid to see it, renting it is a good choice, but I wouldn't buy it.
The movie is good for it's era'. It could have used a bit more work in where setting and plot was involved like going into more depth that the twins existed at all; but other than that if the movie was ever on big screen I wouldn't have paid to see it, renting it is a good choice, but I wouldn't buy it.
Not a bad B flick!
mm-3923 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Worth watching on tubi! There is a South Western serial killer that the kid for that X mass movie sees. There's a South Western flavor to Death Valley. Cowboy hats, trailers, and murders. The boys run's across the monster and is saved by some tourists. Death Valley has the characters trying go on with the daily life the killer dark cloud following the boy. What we got here, is a cat and mouse game. The baby sitter gets it real bad. A huge plot hole for a decent/exciting conclusion. Decent acting, and direct which helps give Death Valley a sense of style. A memorable bad guys blends into average story and make it better. 6 stars.
Finally out on DVD and a bit of a letdown ......
merklekranz17 December 2012
This is a movie that is somewhat scattered. While the presence of Peter Billingsly might lean towards a film that would appeal to children, that is certainly not the case here. On the other hand as a slasher, "Death Valley" is extremely mild. The musical score is interesting, and there are a few suspenseful moments, but in the end the viewer is left unsatisfied, with a bit of a letdown. The acting, especially by Billingsly, is way above average, and character development is not forgotten either, but the entertainment value is lessened by the weak slasher elements, especially since the villain is about as interesting as a mud puddle. - MERK
Death Valley
BandSAboutMovies17 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Wilfred Brimley was two years young than me when he made this movie and that's kind of screwing me up right now.
Paul Stanton (Edward Herrman) has sent his son Billy (Peter Billingsly) into going to California to meet up with his mother Sally (Catherine Hicks) and her boyfriend Mike (Paul Le Mat) who are on the way to Arizona. As things usually occur, Billy accidentally walks across the crime scene of a serial killer, takes a turtle necklace and unleashes unwitting hell.
Directed by Dick Richards and written by Richard Rothstein, this movie puts a young child into the claws of a serial killer, which is scary now but had to be even worse in 1982 when we hadn't really come to understand the evil around us.
A year later, Peter Billingsly would be in A Christmas Story in which he'd also dress like a cowboy and bring up Black Bart. What are the odds, I ask you?
Also: Wilfred Brimley was a bodyguard for Howard Hughes.
Also also: This is part of that most wonderful of horror genres, the RV movie.
If I saw this as a kid, I would have made sure that my parents never took us on vacation.
Paul Stanton (Edward Herrman) has sent his son Billy (Peter Billingsly) into going to California to meet up with his mother Sally (Catherine Hicks) and her boyfriend Mike (Paul Le Mat) who are on the way to Arizona. As things usually occur, Billy accidentally walks across the crime scene of a serial killer, takes a turtle necklace and unleashes unwitting hell.
Directed by Dick Richards and written by Richard Rothstein, this movie puts a young child into the claws of a serial killer, which is scary now but had to be even worse in 1982 when we hadn't really come to understand the evil around us.
A year later, Peter Billingsly would be in A Christmas Story in which he'd also dress like a cowboy and bring up Black Bart. What are the odds, I ask you?
Also: Wilfred Brimley was a bodyguard for Howard Hughes.
Also also: This is part of that most wonderful of horror genres, the RV movie.
If I saw this as a kid, I would have made sure that my parents never took us on vacation.
Death Valley. A must see.
raven_producciones14 August 2008
Death Valley is a perfect thriller containing all the suspense and terror without entering in the gore area. Maybe is a little old fashion and the story have some holes in it, but that goes to a second plane. The photography and the score are top notch. Also we have a very frightening performance by the great and only Stephen McHattie. The film also shows scenes and situations rarely seen on today features (like the one in the bathroom, the pool and car sequence, the dancing on the roof, the last revelation about the killer(s), and a few more). It's a very well crafted movie. The plot, for me, was just average. It doesn't matter. The movie has an unique style and that's what I love about it. Hoping a DVD release soon. Bye.
Okay I Suppose
DavyDissonance8 February 2018
Death Valley is a slasher about some brat and his parents going to Arizona to only be stalked by a psycho. It's not a slasher in a traditional sense because it lacks the horror elements to the effect of, say, Friday The 13th but plays more so as a thriller. But I don't know. Maybe it's just me. It was alright. The killings were bloody and happy and the movie functioned well but it's nothing special. Just another everyday dumb ass slasher movie.
The worst movie ever made
Dave-4434 March 1999
Years ago, I used to watch bad movies deliberately. Somehow I missed this one. No gesture rings true. No facial expression fits the scene or the action. I've never heard such inappropriate music for a film. At the final scene, I was rooting for the car to run over that ridiculous kid - one of the worst child actors ever.
Only one name in it I ever heard of - Wilford Brimley. He must've been very hungry to take this part.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WATCH THIS MOVIE!!! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!
Only one name in it I ever heard of - Wilford Brimley. He must've been very hungry to take this part.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WATCH THIS MOVIE!!! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!!
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