Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Terror at Tenkiller 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 9, 2023

Like so many horror movies from the 1980s, “Terror at Tenkiller” was inspired by the success of “Friday the 13th,” the genre hit that gave producers everywhere the idea that they could also assemble a cheap picture, fill it with gore, and send it out to an audience hungry for more. The 1986 feature is directed by Ken Meyer, who makes his helming debut with the endeavor, and it really shows, with “Terror at Tenkiller” a glacial offering of suspense, working with thin characters and a limited vision for grisly happenings. There’s a woodsy setting, a killer on the loose, and young victims, but even with the basics in slasher cinema, Meyer puts this baby to sleep almost immediately, visibly struggling with even the most basic of scenes.

Leslie (Stacey Logan) is having trouble with her boyfriend, Josh (Kevin Meyer), who’s building to a point of physical abuse in their disastrous relationship. Josh is growing angrier with Leslie, but she doesn’t know how to dump him, inspiring Janna (Michele Merchant) to invite her friend to Lake Tenkiller Harbor, joining her for a week in the wild, where she can relax and get away from Josh’s growing violence. Janna hopes for time sunbathing and frolicking in the lake, ignoring all her cares, also making some money at The Cove, a local restaurant, with owner Charlie (Dean Lewis) in need of help. As Janna and Leslie settle in, Josh is determined to find his girlfriend, trying to contact her, which puts Leslie on edge. Also in town is Tor (Michael Shamus Wiles), who shows interest in the arrival of Leslie and Janna, but not for romantic reasons.

“Terror at Tenkiller” isn’t a mystery. The identity of the killer is revealed in the first act of the feature, or perhaps the first few minutes if you’re really paying attention. Suspense is meant to emerge from Janna and Leslie’s ignorance of the issue, with the women happily traveling to a remote area of the world, settling in for some relaxation, and occasionally bumping into Tor, who seems like a helpful, handy guy, and possibly the lone age- appropriate option for the women, with Janna especially interested in bringing him back to the cabin. Leslie has a little more on her mind, but Josh isn’t quite the red herring Meyer imagines him to be, making “Terror at Tenkiller” more about audience participation than pure tension. You know the killer is right there, but Janna and Leslie don’t share such awareness.

“Terror at Tenkiller” concerns two characters seeking rest and relaxation at a lake, and Meyer follows this pursuit of leisure through the feature, taking it real easy with the story and pace. The endeavor doesn’t have any forward momentum, casually strolling from one scene to the next. Leslie provides narration to close gaps in what little here passes for plot, and she’s exposed to a few dreamscape visits, drawn to the sound of a harmonica in the woods. There’s Preacher, the local boat guy, who’s a practiced peeper, and there’s the setting of The Cove, a hamburger joint that never has any customers, though the characters keep suggesting the place is exhausting to work at. And that’s pretty much it for “Terror at Tenkiller,” with Meyer making sure to keep his actresses in swimsuits and detail a few gory events with the killer, who’s slow with a knife, giving the camera time to take in some bloody special effects.

Terror at Tenkiller 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Terror at Tenkiller" arrives on UHD courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome, sourced from a 4K scan of the 16mm original camera negative. It's easy to guess that this is probably the finest the feature has ever looked, delivering a film-like viewing experience with nicely resolved grain. Detail reaches as far as possible, capturing facial surfaces, including rougher skin on the killer, and clothing is decently textured as the characters move in and out of swimsuits. Exteriors are inviting, with excellent dimension while exploring rural locations. Interiors preserve cabin and restaurant decoration and signage. Colors are strong, with distinct greenery. Primaries deliver on costuming and restaurant tours, and period hues contribute hotter pinks. Skin tones are natural. Blacks are deep, preserving evening activity. Highlights are tasteful. Source is in good condition, with some brief debris.

Terror at Tenkiller 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix secures a basic understanding of dialogue exchanges. Sibilance is found during the listening event, but intelligibility is never threatened. Scoring supports as intended, with a lighter harmonica sound for dream encounters, and heavier synth for suspense needs. Soundtrack selections register with clarity. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable.

Terror at Tenkiller 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (1:06, HD) offers a welcome to the UHD experience from actor/editor Kevin Meyer and actor Mike Wiles.

• Commentary features actor/editor Kevin Meyer and actor Mike Wiles.

• "Two Weeks of Terror" (30:11, HD) is the making-of for "Terror at Tenkiller, featuring interviews with cinematographer Steven Wacks, VCI president Bob Blair, actor/editor Kevin Meyer, and actors Michelle Merchant and Mike Wiles. A production possibility arrived for Meyer, who was connected to his filmmaker father, Ken, investors, and a chance to help make a movie, soon collecting his film school classmates to help with the project. Setting up shop in Oklahoma, production began, quickly dealing with heat, bugs, and a speedy shoot, which didn't allow for too much time to be spent on storytelling details. Cast and crew camaraderie is celebrated, with the youngsters having a good time, but technical limitations arrived, with Merchant examining the feature's "dubbing fiasco." Gore zone highlights are identified, requiring some reshooting of the picture. The cult endurance of "Terror at Tenkiller" is celebrated, and interviewee careers are briefly tracked.

• Behind-the-Scenes (27:07, SD) takes a look at the production of "Terror at Tenkiller," mixing interviews featuring cast and crew with wonderful footage from the shoot, offering a sense of the production in motion. It also features commentary from actor/editor Kevin Meyer and actor Mike Wiles.

• "Divided We Fall" (26:29, HD) is a 1982 short film by co-writer/co-director Kevin Meyer. It also features commentary from actor/editor Kevin Meyer and actor Mike Wiles.

• Image Gallery (13:20) collects BTS snaps from the "Divided We Fall" shoot.

• "Brothers in Arms" (13:39, HD) is the making-of for "Divided We Fall," featuring interviews with co-writer/co-director Jeff Burr and actor R.A. Mihailoff.

• Behind-the-Scenes (11:07, HD) is a look at the production of "Divided We Fall." It's presented only with commentary from actor/editor Kevin Meyer and actor Mike Wiles.

• And Home Video Trailer #1 (1:10, SD) and Home Video Trailer #2 (:42, SD) are included.

Terror at Tenkiller 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Terror at Tenkiller" has the rural setting, which may be fun for genre fanatics, giving them a hit of familiarity as a monster stalks the night and an indoor hot tub, clearing the area of female characters. As slashers go, this is extremely limited in excitement, and it hurts to watch Meyer move so slowly with the offering, which could use a healthy dose of madness. Actual terror in "Terror at Tenkiller" isn't found, but Meyer certainly has a pleasant setting to stroll around, giving viewers plenty of time to study the great outdoors and the actors. Horror only emerges periodically.