Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

The Ghost Dance Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 15, 2024

During the frenzy to make slasher films for a hungry audience, 1982’s “The Ghost Dance” tries to bring something a little different to the usual in blood and guts. Co-writers Robert M. Sutton and Peter F. Buffa (who also directs) turn to the Native American community in Arizona for inspiration, attempting to summon some supernatural horror for the effort. “The Ghost Dance” is fairly conventional when it comes to violence, as Buffa arranges numerous stalk-and-kill sequences to keep genre fans happy. More interesting is the filmmaking itself, as the production is mildly attentive to visuals compared to similar endeavors, adding a touch of style and momentum to an offering that needs the occasional boost of cinematic energy to remain engaging.

Anthropology professor Kay (Julie Amato) is overseeing an archeological operation to retrieve a coffin from an Arizona desert. Inside is a mummified body she wants to examine, taking the remains to a local museum for study, joined by her boyfriend, Tom Eagle (Victor Mohica), a Native American man uneasy with the whole operation. Visiting the site at night is Aranjo (Henry Bal), a local Native American digging up relics under the coffin, using them in a blood ceremony to conjure the evil spirit of Nahalla. Now possessed by the leader of the Ghost Dance religion, Aranjo goes on a killing spree, murdering museum and university employees, making his way to Kay, who resembles someone from Nahalla’s past, and he’s looking to reclaim her.

“The Ghost Dance” spends its opening ten minutes getting extremely dramatic about events in the feature that aren’t clearly defined. Perhaps it’s Buffa’s way of summoning suspense, but the picture takes some time to really settle on a story, going from Aranjo’s determination to bring Nahalla back to life to Kay’s quest to do something with the body she’s recovered. One could argue there’s really not much of a tale to share in “The Ghost Dance,” as Buffa spends time on slasher sequences, attempting to turn Aranjo into a significant threat as he enters town. He takes out a few supporting characters along the way, but a clearer purpose is shared in the second half, though such supernatural concentration would be more effective if it was clarified earlier in the endeavor.

The Ghost Dance Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm internegative." "The Ghost Dance" definitely has a visual presence, which is decently preserved during the viewing experience. Colors are defined, keeping primaries alert on period style and nature tours. Greenery is distinct throughout, joined by vivid desertscapes. Skin tones are natural. Detail is acceptable, doing well with exteriors, which retain pleasant depth. Museum tours are also dimensional, visiting gallery displays and offices. Skin particulars are present, and costuming is adequately fibrous. Delineation is satisfactory, protecting evening events and limited lighting. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition, with some mild wear and tear.

The Ghost Dance Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a straightforward listening experience. Some sibilance issues are encountered, but dialogue exchanges are intelligible. Scoring supports with decent clarity and instrumentation. Sound effects are appreciable.

The Ghost Dance Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians J.A. Kerswell and Amanda Reyes.

• "Looking into the Past" (25:33, HD) is an interview with director Peter Buffa, who details the origin of "Ghost Dance" in the 1970s, befriending co-writer/producer Robert M. Sutton during his college days in Arizona. Faced with literary achievements and Native American movements from the 1970s, Buffa tried to use it all as inspiration for the horror movie, admitting his youthful ways prevented a more respectful depiction of culture. The interviewee analyzes his writing process alongside Sutton, choosing to stay away from a gory picture, aiming for chills in the material. Getting financial issues in order, the interviewee goes into detail about indie production challenges, organizing the shoot, trying to find ways to make his days without disrupting the schedule. Casting is highlighted, pointing out Henry Bal's intensity when cameras rolled, and Buffa presents his appreciation for the Blu-ray restoration.

• "This is Great Stuff" (22:10, HD) is an interview with co-writer/producer Robert M. Sutton, who analyzes the financial struggle to put "The Ghost Dance" together, initially offering "shares" in the movie, claiming to be the first production to do this. The interviewee discusses efforts to attract help from the Native American community in Arizona, eventually rejected due to script content. Shooting finally commenced in Tucson, fighting hot interiors and limited locations to complete scenes, encountering rejection throughout the schedule. Challenges are shared from the shoot, extending to the incarceration of a supporting actor, who was in bad shape, requiring some babysitting from Sutton. A SAG strike was also encountered, facing hostile union reps as the only action in town. Rejected by the studios, the producers elected a four-wall release, which didn't do much business. The interviewee also identifies botched processing on "The Ghost Dance," ruining black levels on initial prints.

• "Dances with Ghosts" (17:02, HD) is an interview with stunt coordinator Don Shanks, who launched his film career via the television show "Grizzly Adams," asked to wrestle bears for the production, accepting greater responsibility as the series carried on. Shanks details his early experiences in the industry, even managing to break his back at one point, still focused on completing the job. Talk turns to "Ghost Dance," with the shooting taking place in Tucson, Arizona during early autumn, putting the crew at risk due to heat exposure and local creatures. Physical requirements are highlighted, finding Shanks doubling a female character for a dog attack sequence. He also handled a violent truck hit that took a few tries to get right. The interviewee shares some memories from the shoot and points out certain ambitions from the actors. He closes with a few anecdotes from other gigs, including "Silent Night, Deadly Night" and his time playing The Shape in "Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers."

• And a Trailer (:40, HD) is included.

The Ghost Dance Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Ghost Dance" tries to be terrifying, but a real fear factor doesn't emerge during the run time. It's a more successful feature when locked in investigative mode, as Kay and Tom race to understand the threat that's made itself perfectly clear (amusingly, the museum remains open for business after multiple murders have occurred there). The script eventually escalates into a more straightforward tale of reunion and possession, giving the film a steadier sense of stakes. Buffa can't work the picture into a frenzy, but he does have some technical prowess to help the cause. "The Ghost Dance" is well-shot for a B-movie, creating interesting imagery around the museum and in the wilds of Arizona. It's not much, but it helps, and there's a smattering of editorial care to tighten elements of panic and concern. Such attention to detail actually helps the offering reach a few of its creative goals, leaving the finished effort a curious viewing experience where care was clearly put into assembling the endeavor, but the material isn't insane enough to really launch many horror highlights.