Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.0

Just Before Dawn Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 27, 2021

While trying to participate in the growing trend of slasher entertainment in the 1980s, director Jeff Lieberman (“Squirm,” “Blue Sunshine”) aims to do something slightly different with 1981’s “Just Before Dawn.” It’s a low-budget chiller concerning innocents trying to outwit evil in the deep woods, and while it features a killer with a large machete hunting young things, Lieberman is more interested in creating a survival thriller, dealing with hiking and climbing challenges instead of giving the whole thing over to genre expectations. The effort is appreciated, but such ambition doesn’t magically make “Just Before Dawn” exciting. Pacing and limited incident are real problems for the picture, which often equates stillness with suspense, triggering tremendous impatience as Lieberman gets around to suspenseful encounters, which are few and far between here.

Heading into the wilds of Oregon for a camping weekend, pals Warren (Gregg Henry), Constance (Deborah Benson), Jonathan (Chris Lemmon), Megan (Jamie Rose), and Daniel (Ralph Seymour) are ready for extensive hiking and mischief as they make their way up a mountain. Forest Ranger McLean (George Kennedy) warns the gang that the land isn’t open for such lighthearted fun, but the youngsters ignore him, making their way into the deep woods, where they commence tomfoolery, aided by alcohol. However, instead of experiencing a real vacation, the visitors are soon targeted by a mysterious figure carrying a large machete, also meeting a family of mountain people who don’t want the trespassers around, fearing “demons” in the area.

It wouldn’t be a horror movie if young characters listened to warnings, but the screenplay tries to give some motivation to the gang as they drive their camper up the mountain. Warren’s family has a deed to the land, inspiring the trip to visit the area (to find the “soul of the mountain”), which is filled with glorious nature and ideal privacy, permitting the lead characters to indulge in drinking and sex while they make their way up the mountain. McLean doesn’t like the idea, but the kids carry on anyway, giving Lieberman plenty of opportunity to pad the run time with extended scenes of travel and camping, with Jonathan a prankster, keeping things light. “Just Before Dawn” is slow going for much of the film, with Lieberman taking a full hour before the reality of the crazed stalker is established. Select moments of death and destruction are offered, but “Just Before Dawn” isn’t in a rush to get there, enjoying the open world with the campers and some initially undefined pushback from the shotgun-toting mountain folk, with the youngest, Merry Cat (Katie Powell), excited to see outsiders around.

“Just Before Dawn” is presented in two versions: Original Cut (90:52) and International Extended Cut (102:35).

Just Before Dawn Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from "the original internegative." It's a softer viewing experience for "Just Before Dawn," which emerges with limited detail and an overall bloomy appearance. There's a basic understanding of facial textures, which naturally fare best in close-ups, and forest expanse brings passable depth. Colors are satisfactory, offering decent greenery and brighter hues on costuming, including oranges and reds. Delineation is adequate. Wear and tear is found throughout, with slight judder and jumpy frames, along with occasional scratches and speckling. Brief chemical blotches are detected as well.

Just Before Dawn Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track doesn't emerge with clarity, offering a muddier sound without falling into unintelligibility. Dialogue exchanges aren't sharp but emotional choices emerge without distortion. Some mild sync issues are encountered. Scoring cues also lack sharpness, supporting with simple offerings of synth.

Just Before Dawn Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Banana Man Intros (2:47, HD) offer time with actors Gregg Henry and Jamie Rose as they attempt to offer a welcome to the "Just Before Dawn" Blu-ray experience while standing next to a man in a banana costume. Hilarity ensues?

• Interview (30:49, HD) with producer David Sheldon examines his early work in theater, which translated to an assistant position at American International Pictures, giving him a true education in the ways of the movie business. Experiencing a career breakthrough with 1974's "Act of Vengeance" (sold to execs as, good lord, "Rape Squad"), Sheldon moved on to his own features, including "Just Before Dawn." While a smooth shoot, the interviewee reveals his struggles with another producer who wasn't eager to pay people, resulting in some headaches. Casting is celebrated and director Jeff Lieberman is praised. Locations are identified, and Sheldon details the rest of his career, partnering with helmer William Girdler for "Grizzly," and getting his own shot behind the camera with 1981's "Lovely But Deadly."

• Interview (28:04, HD) with Chris Lemmon is a lively discussion of "Just Before Dawn" with the noted eccentric (who's especially whistle-happy here). He examines the state park shooting locations, which kept the cast out in the wild for long days. Horseflies were a big problem for Lemmon, but his co-stars were lovely, and he shares thoughts on everyone, noting strong camaraderie. Stunt work is shared, and appreciation for Jeff Lieberman is offered. Lemmon is urged to explore more of his career, offering amusing anecdotes from the making of "Airport '77," "Weekend Warriors," "Going Undercover," "Firehead," and the television series, "Thunder in Paradise."

• Interview (15:33, HD) with actress Jamie Rose opens with her early dancing career, even scoring a gig co-starring with Bugs Bunny in a commercial. For "Just Before Dawn," Rose provides an overview of good spirits and burgeoning friendships, with the happy shoot helped along by a game cast, sharing memories of her co-stars and director Jeff Lieberman. Acting challenges are shared, including a "closed set" for her nude scene that was anything but. Rose also offers thoughts on other jobs, including "Lady Blue," "Chopper Chicks in Zombietown," and "Chrome Hearts." The interviewee closes with a plug for her book.

• Interview (13:47, HD) with actor Gregg Henry provides an assessment of director Jeff Lieberman and the locations. Co- stars are assessed, and special effects are noted. Henry also shares anecdotes from his filmography, including "Mean Dog Blues," "Funny Money," "Hot Rod," "The Patriot," and "Mamba."

• "Lions, Tigers, and Inbred Twins" (50:49, SD) is an undated making-of for "Just Before Dawn," collecting interviews with writer Mark Arywitz, composer Brad Fiedel, producer David Sheldon, and actors Jamie Rose, Chris Lemmon, and John Hunsaker.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Just Before Dawn Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Just Before Dawn" has some sequences that connect as intended, including the group's use of a rope bridge to cross over rushing waters, adding a physical challenge to the adventure. Scoring from Brad Fiedel is pleasingly weird, with eerie whistling setting the mood. Lieberman has a few interesting compositions as well, keeping the picture away from the usual rushed routine. It's the dullness of it all that cripples the viewing experience, with violent incidents a rare occurrence up the final act, and the story seems to be missing some intended depth, as parts of the action take place around an abandoned church, suggesting more of a religious angle was included at one point in development. Perhaps those in love with everything horror in the 1980s will be more forgiving with "Just Before Dawn," but it's hard to get past the inertia of the feature, which has the idea for agony in the open world, but often refuses to do anything with it.