Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #590 in VHS
• Released on: 1988-09-28
• Rating: Unrated
• Formats: Color, Special Edition, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1

Amazon.com
Though perhaps not worthy of classic status, William Wesley's Scarecrows recalls some epic 1980s-era slasher films, with its liberal blood gushing and semi-New Wave art and costume design. Set in a haunted cornfield, a group of military criminals are stranded after trying to escape to Mexico with $3 million in stolen cash. Dressed in Terminator or Alien-like solider of fortune gear, the group combs the dark field while sporting headphones and night goggles, lending the many shots from their points of view an eerie, green glow. While Roxanne (Kristina Sanborn) guards a hostage, other team members Corbin (Ted Vernon), Jack (Richard Vidan), and Curry (Michael David Simms), each die at the hands of murderous scarecrows coming to life after stepping off their crosses. Great shadowy segments show the scarecrows' burlap masks undulating slightly due their zombie breathing. It doesn't quite matter that the viewer never learns why these scarecrows seek revenge on the living, because the most fascinating and disturbing scenes occur when the dead soldiers return to their friends in attempts to trick them into an unholy alliance. In the first grisly sequence of this sort, one recoils to discover a man whose innards have been replaced with money. Worse, his friends cut him up to extract some blood-soaked cash. As body parts fly, blood puddles up, and zombies face the camera up-close, Scarecrows looks increasingly like Hellraiser, though it lacks a needle-poked, iconic anti-hero. Scarecrows' slow pacing is frustrating but 80s horror fans will be all too willing to excuse some corny plot digressions for a glimpse of truly stylized nightmare. —Trinie Dalton

Customer Reviews

Creepy, atmospheric and great 80's horror film .
At first I was a bit apprehensive when it came to Scarecrows thinking that it was a cheap and very lame 80's horror flick and the fact that some of the reviews were saying that it was dull turned me off for a while but I'm glad that I finally got a copy of Scarecrows and I was actually surprised that the film turned out to be quite impressive it was also great fun. The film is low budget so don't expect it to be like any of those modern horror flicks with tons of CGI in them, the atmosphere was very dark and eerie and it also has a good storyline it's about a bunch of mercenaries who get attacked and killed by a bunch of supernatural and psychotic scarecrows I know it doesn't sound like much but trust me this film was fantastic and you'll like this especially if you have a particular fondness for 80's cult horror films. A group of mercenaries hijack a plane after a robbery as their heading off to Mexico but they soon get double crossed by one of their partners who decides to steal the money for himself and parachutes off near a cornfield by an abandoned farmhouse, the cornfield is filed with creepy looking scarecrows that have the ability to imitate their victim's voices and they are not that easily killed off they also have an advantage of sneaking up on their victims in the dark. The rest of the team go chasing after their partner who has betrayed them but they don't suspect that they are being stalked and killed by these scarecrows, the makeup on these scarecrows looks really good and menacing I thought it might be cheesy but it wasn't it really does work and the gore scenes were neat theres a decapitation, a hand slowly being sawed off and a body stuffed with money so it was impressive and the farmers were devil worshipers which explains why the scarecrows are able to move. The only criticism I have is that the acting was bad especially from the pilot's daughter who was looking for her dog, her dialogue was unintentionally hilarious but its not really awful I've seen much worse, director William Wesley did a terrific job with this film despite having some low budget constraints. This MGM dvd has a great transfer and the picture quality was great but there aren't any special features in it not even a lousy trailer but I still thought it was worth it so make sure that you don't miss this film.

Just a superb film
This is just how a horror film should be made. The fact that the 'Scream' series is known to just about everyone and this film is known by virtually no one shows what an unjust world this is. [sob]

I first saw it about 15 years ago when i was 14, it left a big impression on me and i always used to check video shows when i was browsing to see if it was available. It never was of course, and then along came amazon...

If you think that a horror film should be about special effects and gore then you should probably leave this film alone. If you think that atmosphere, setting, excellent acting performances (esp. from the guy who plays Curry) and a good story makes a horror film then i strongly suggest you invest some money in this film, you won't be disappointed.

Have to say my favourite bit is when the Scarecrows kill Bert and you suddenly realise that the voices that sound like the other hijackers taunting him are actually coming from the Scarecrows themselves.

"Put the gun down Bert, you're not going to hurt us."

Just a brilliant film.

"IF I WERE A CROW I'D BE SOMEWHERE ELSE!"
Fantastic lost horror gem of the 80's finally gets its due on DVD! Previously only available on beat-up VHS tape or an overpriced full-screen German import titled Paratrooper, MGM has blessed the horror masses with a definitive version for our collections! The movie has a refreshingly original plot, which drops a group of ex-military robbers and murderers into the wrong field in search of their missing bounty. A great unique script and really good acting (except the pilots daughter who is AWFUL) always makes me wonder why this film sat in obscurity for so long? Although our main characters are all villians they have individual personalities and believable dialogue that keeps us interested in them and their plight. Of course atmosphere, jump scares, and a generous and well done amount of gore is also included for our viewing pleasure (including a brutal face stabbing)! If you are new to horror or are a horror buff starving for a truly enjoyable horror film (especially in these times of remakes and direct-to-DVD dreck) this is a can't miss. Also make sure to pick up MGMs upcoming releases of the 80's classics From Beyond and The Burning. For horror fans... Christmas comes early this year!