REMAKE WARNING: MGM has the production date listed as 12-7-07
Farmer Vincent and sister Ida run a farm that harvests people for use in their smoked meats. When the nubile Terry is found hurt on the road, Vincent decides to treat her. When she later agrees to marry him, the suspicious and horny Sheriff gets involved. Eventually, the "harvested" come back to sow their own crops. And it all culminates in a final showdown in the slaughterhouse when Vincent dons a pig's head and battles the Sheriff with chainsaws.
There is some fun to be had here, which kicks in when a wacky couple stops by for some couple swapping and the female does a wild whip dance to the symphony. There is the goofy band getting stoned in a van that later become veggies. Oh and Wolfman Jack makes an appearance as an evangelist who speaks in tongues.
Rory Calhoun is great as the charismatic Vincent always in smiles even when farming people at night. Apparently, the old man appeals to everyone because he miraculously convinces a beautiful young woman that she is in love with him. This subplot confused me because I thought it was a joke that the chick would dig an old man. I thought either she was pretending, so she can run away or he hypnotized her with some voodoo magic. I guess I was wrong on both counts because the reason wasn't explained. I guess I wouldn't know true love even if it laid a stinker. Oh and when sister Ida gets jealous, she tries to kill Terry by, get this, tubing in the lake! Vincent hypnotizes his crops in what he calls "astro projection". The people no longer have a choice, are brainwashed, and are "saved", which symbolizes Vincent playing God. And it is hard not to notice the Evangelist droning on TV in the background of multiple scenes. In the end, Vincent admits he is a hypocrite.
Weird Fact: Tobe Hooper was originally set to direct, but when Universal Studios balked at the bizarre story, he parted. The chainsaw images later used in this flick were inspired by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). I believe this could have been better with Hooper.
Favorite Quote: Farmer Vincent surveying his human crop, "Sometimes I wonder about the karmic implications here. Well, I can't take credit for the good done." DVD Extras: French, English, and Spanish Languages and Subtitles.
Bottom Line: Black comedy with a disturbing premise, but fails to deliver any real scares. Watch only if you love chainsaws or planted people.
Rating: 6/10 by Molly Celaschi www.HorrorYearbook.com
Farmer Vincent and sister Ida run a farm that harvests people for use in their smoked meats. When the nubile Terry is found hurt on the road, Vincent decides to treat her. When she later agrees to marry him, the suspicious and horny Sheriff gets involved. Eventually, the "harvested" come back to sow their own crops. And it all culminates in a final showdown in the slaughterhouse when Vincent dons a pig's head and battles the Sheriff with chainsaws.
There is some fun to be had here, which kicks in when a wacky couple stops by for some couple swapping and the female does a wild whip dance to the symphony. There is the goofy band getting stoned in a van that later become veggies. Oh and Wolfman Jack makes an appearance as an evangelist who speaks in tongues.
Rory Calhoun is great as the charismatic Vincent always in smiles even when farming people at night. Apparently, the old man appeals to everyone because he miraculously convinces a beautiful young woman that she is in love with him. This subplot confused me because I thought it was a joke that the chick would dig an old man. I thought either she was pretending, so she can run away or he hypnotized her with some voodoo magic. I guess I was wrong on both counts because the reason wasn't explained. I guess I wouldn't know true love even if it laid a stinker. Oh and when sister Ida gets jealous, she tries to kill Terry by, get this, tubing in the lake! Vincent hypnotizes his crops in what he calls "astro projection". The people no longer have a choice, are brainwashed, and are "saved", which symbolizes Vincent playing God. And it is hard not to notice the Evangelist droning on TV in the background of multiple scenes. In the end, Vincent admits he is a hypocrite.
Weird Fact: Tobe Hooper was originally set to direct, but when Universal Studios balked at the bizarre story, he parted. The chainsaw images later used in this flick were inspired by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). I believe this could have been better with Hooper.
Favorite Quote: Farmer Vincent surveying his human crop, "Sometimes I wonder about the karmic implications here. Well, I can't take credit for the good done." DVD Extras: French, English, and Spanish Languages and Subtitles.
Bottom Line: Black comedy with a disturbing premise, but fails to deliver any real scares. Watch only if you love chainsaws or planted people.
Rating: 6/10 by Molly Celaschi www.HorrorYearbook.com