Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Memorial Valley Massacre Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 23, 2020

1989’s “Memorial Valley Massacre” is credited to screenwriters George Francis Skrow and Robert Hughes (who also directs), and one of these guys must’ve had some previous experience working in the national park service. This is horror picture about a feral man on the loose who doesn’t take kindly to those who invade his territory, murdering trespassers, but the real story here is a level of disdain for park campers and their horrible behavior, ranging from employee contempt to unrepentant littering. It’s actually quite interesting to watch the film depict outsiders as selfish monsters, and there’s some initial hope that the writing will remain focused on the systematic offing of those who don’t treasure the pure beauty and fragile ecosystems of the great outdoors. Alas, this is the 1980s, and a scary movie isn’t going to get very far on noble intent alone, with the production soon locking into a routine of death and interpersonal discord, turning to bloodshed to meet marketplace demands for slasher entertainment.

In the wilds of California, the Memorial Valley Campground isn’t ready for business, panicking owner Allen (Cameron Mitchell), who needs the park open for an influx of Memorial Day visitors ready for the party weekend. Reluctantly, Ranger George (John Kerry) agrees to let people in, soon joined by new hire David (Mark Mears), Allen’s naturalist son, who wants to make an impact as a defender of the pristine land. With campers come trouble, finding the visitors problematic, making their own rules as they drink themselves into a stupor. Also on the loose is a feral man, the Hermit (John Caso), who’s been making a home in the hills for two decades, greatly bothered when others decide to destroy his hunting ground. Electing to murder those who break the rules, the Hermit leaves bodies around the property, forcing George and David to investigate the situation, teaming with the campers to figure out what’s going on.

“Memorial Valley Massacre” commences with the eternal battle between greed and nature, finding George resisting Allen’s demands to open the campground for the holiday weekend. Little works as it should, and there’s a dead dog rotting in the local well, but money talks, forcing George to accept his new reality, opening the gates for a handful of party monsters to storm the property, looking for nothing but a good time. We also meet David, who believes in protecting nature, but his attention is soon redirected to Cheryl (Lesa Lee), a single woman in the great expanse, who responds positively to the junior ranger’s attention.

The first half of “Memorial Valley Massacre” is very entertaining. While the production doesn’t have much money to spend on actors and directorial refinement, it gets by on B-movie nuttiness, introducing viewers to a range of ugly tourists, including a biker gang, a trio of mean teenagers, and Walter, a spoiled kid who’s a kleptomaniac, a liar, and a fan of four-wheeling, tearing up the campground with his forbidden vehicle, angering David and George. Walter is soon exposed to the raw power of the Hermit, a flexible, flippy caveman-like figure who isn’t shy about killing those who’ve offended him, launching the slasher element of “Memorial Valley Massacre,” which tracks his development as a murderer. Gore is there, but the early joys of the film are found with broad behaviors coming from reprehensible people, with Hughes visiting different campsites, getting to know a few of these goons before they’re put to sleep by the Hermit.

Memorial Valley Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as "Newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original negative," "Memorial Valley Massacre" does all its outdoor locations justice. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is excellent with greenery, highlighting bright national park views with grassy areas and forest trails, while blue skies and golden sunlight also dominate. Costuming provides additional, powerful hues, and primaries are excellent with decorative additions and camping gear. Skintones are natural. Detail is clear throughout the viewing experience, offering dimensional views of outdoor excursions and campsites. Interiors are open for inspection, and costuming is fibrous, also securing sheerness when exploitation interests kick in. Makeup efforts are exact. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent shape.

Memorial Valley Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA offers a crisp understanding of dialogue exchanges, with clear performance choices as intensity ranges from panicked hunters to the Hermit's grunting. Scoring selections support as necessary, with distinct synth instrumentation. Atmospherics are acceptable, preserving activity outdoors with weather elements, and room tone is satisfactory.

Memorial Valley Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Ranger Danger" (10:08, HD) is an interview with John Kerry, who details his early interest in acting, moving out of his time with the Marines to find a new direction in his life, eventually making a career change in Austin. Finding an ad for the "Memorial Valley Massacre" job, Kerry brought his experience to director Robert Hughes, going deep into his approach to the character, digging within to find proper emotional motivation with his John Wayne-esque part. Kerry discusses the national park shooting location in California, and the camaraderie of the cast, who were all stuck together on the low-budget shoot. Memories of Cameron Mitchell are provided, and the interviewee shares his love of the game, still getting a real charge out of acting.

• "Welcome to Memorial Valley" (13:43, HD) is an interview with Robert Hughes, who describes his intent to tap into the history of drama with his "uncorrupted man" vision for "Memorial Valley Massacre." Detailing project origins, Hughes highlights his relationship with producer Brad Krevoy, who was attempting to ride the slasher wave with his own holiday-themed horror endeavor, offering the gig with a list of marketplace demands. A script overhaul was in order, with Hughes adding his ideas, and he describes the location during the rainy season. Casting is examined, sharing respect for Cameron Mitchel and William Smith, while young John Caso was hired for his physicality as an ex-gymnast. Mishaps are detailed, including time with a real bear and the major motor home explosion in the film, and technical mistakes are recalled, losing a significant amount of footage, forcing Hughes to edit his way around missing pieces. The interviewee also offers his thoughts on the cult legacy of "Memorial Valley Massacre."

• Still Gallery (:40) collects poster art and publicity shots.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Memorial Valley Massacre Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Memorial Valley Massacre" breaks away from community interactions in its second half, turning into a bear hunt story that's not nearly as compelling as campground hostilities. Hughes pays attention to exploitation interests (sheer tops being his preferred weapon of choice) and piles up the bodies, but he loses some energy along the way, unwisely moving from group antagonism to hicks with guns in the wild. Still, such lukewarm adventuring provides a chance to take in the lovely locations, and the script does make a move to offer an emotional hook for a few of the characters, making the Hermit something more than a killing machine. Genuine frights aren't common in "Memorial Valley Massacre," as one tends to root for the victims to be torn apart, but there's a fun factor with the endeavor's campiness and low-wattage effort.