‘If you go down in the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise.’
Rituals is a 1977 Canadian horror survival thriller film about five doctors on a wilderness trip being stalked by disfigured, crazed killers.
Directed by Peter Carter from a screenplay written by Ian Sutherland, the movie stars Hal Holbrook(The Unholy; Creepshow; The Fog), Lawrence Dane, Robin Gammell, Ken James and Gary Reineke. Produced by Lawrence Dane, Ted Holliday and Harry H. Novak.
Special makeup effects were provided by Carl Fullerton (The Silence of the Lambs; Spasms; The Hunger; Ghost Story; Wolfen; Friday the 13th Part 2 and Friday the 13th Part III).
Our review:
Five doctors take their annual break from the rigours of their comfortable lives and settle upon the backwoods of Canada for their destination.
Self-importance, lack of patience and a drinking habit are already causing tension in the camp when, on the second day, the majority of their shoes appear to have vanished whilst they were asleep, leaving the remaining camper with footwear to trudge off to find help.
When he doesn’t return, the cantankerous and miserable troop set off to find where he’s got to, only to find deadly traps and a presence in the forest who has clearly taken a dislike to them…
Known as The Creeperin some incarnations, a name that does it no favours at all,Rituals is part of an odd fascination with backwoods shenanigans that cropped up in mid-70s American/Canadian cinema, following in the shoes (or not, in this case) ofDeliverance (1972) andOpen Season (1974).
The film is in no way the poor cousin with a magnificent, completely believable cast, including several actors who certainly earned their stripes in the genre; Hal Holbrook (The Unholy;The Fog, Creepshow),Lawrence Dane (Scanners, Happy Birthday To Me),Robin Gammell (The Pyx), alongside Ken James and Gary Reineke.
Though superficially the big brother to many forest/campsite slashers, the most interesting aspect of the film is the dynamics between the doctors; almost immediately unable to cope when removed from their comfort zone, despite their early years in the army, they look to pin the blame on anyone they can and their breakdown is both sometimes humorous and truly quite gruelling.
Even without the hidden menace stalking them, it would appear they would stand little chance of survival even when pitted against the river, plants, and wasps that plague them throughout. As it is, by the time the killer is revealed, your nails will be firmly dug into the arms of your chair, the trials they have gone through enough to leave you breathless yourself.
Despite the grisly trials the doctors go through, there is barely any blood, let alone gore, the psychological terror being intoxicating enough and quite rightly the actors are allowed to express themselves without the trappings the slasher film would soon develop.
The forest setting is suitably unpleasant and the feeling of their fear and exhaustion is easy to appreciate. If the final reveal is slightly disappointing – mainly due to the actual shot being so dark and murky – it would be churlish to be overly critical.
Rituals is top-drawer horror, showing how a film can be creepy, dark and thoughtful without cheap tricks and with actors at the very top of their game.
Daz Lawrence, MOVIES & MANIA
BuyDVD:Amazon.com
DVD and Blu-ray release:
The film was finally given a North American DVD release via Code Red in 2011. On January 12th 2021, Code Red in conjunction with Kino Lorber released Rituals on Blu-ray in North America. Special features:
2018 HD Remaster from the vault elements
Audio Commentary with Star/Producer Lawrence Dane, Moderated by Lee Christian
Interviews with Stars Lawrence Dane and Robin Gummell
Theatrical Trailer
Optional English Subtitles
Filming locations:
Batchawana Bay, Ontario, Canada
Lake Superior, Ontario, Canada
Cinespace Film Studios – 11030 Highway 27, Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada
Filming dates:
June 22, 1976 – August 7, 1976
Trailer:
Full film – free to watch online [1080p HD]:
MOVIES & MANIA provides previews of new films, our own movie reviews/ratings, and links to other reviews from trustworthy recommended sources – all in one handy web location. Plus, links to legitimately watch 1000s OF MOVIES FREE ONLINE via platforms such as Amazon Prime, Plex, Roku, Tubi and on YouTube. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a very tiny amount from any qualifying purchases.
Discover more from MOVIES & MANIA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
