I have recently in the last 2-3 years experience a rebirth in my love for slasher films. As a kid it seemed like horror was basically ALL slasher films, and so once I started finding weirder, wilder, and more violent thing I started kind of pushing against them. Now, I sort of kind of embrace the genre as an odd sort of cinematic comfort food. Oddly, like the Italian/Spanish giallo film o the 70’s there are lots of these films that were made, and left in the realm of the obscure. I had spent so much time watching them that at times I felt like I had seen them all.
I have realized recently I was very very wrong. One of those titles I had neglected to see was Memorial Valley Massacre. A sort of middle of the road slasher, that proves to be a bit of a fun Saturday-afternoon-horror-show.
The film begins with the opening of a campground in Memorial Valley. Real estate developer Allen Sangster is forcing the proper to open even though it’s far from ready. He has plans for this unspoiled piece of nature, and he’s not going to stop progress! His son, David, who has environmentalist plans, and is fresh out of college has shown up to take a job offer from his old man. His Dad expected to give the boy a corporate gig, but he is fine with having his kid watch over his campground lackeys. Of course, David is more interested in preserving the nature than being the boss. Almost immediately murders stop happening both to the crew of the camp, and the campers themselves.
This film is kind of tepid and disjointed, but the killer is kind of a wild pick for this sort of film. The kills while not particularly bloody are at the very least entertaining. There is also some choice dialogue such as “It’s 5 am, It’s MEMORIAL DAY!” Which I’m going to quote for LIFE.
This is a Vinegar Syndrome release, so you know you’re in for quality. Memorial Valley Massacre is presented in a 1:85:1 1080p transfer that looks fantastic. Minor bits of damage from the source, but overall this is gorgeous. Audio is presented with a DTS-HD Mono track that comes through crisp and clear and without issue. Extras include an interview with director Robert C. Hughes, another with actor John Kerry, there is also a still gallery. RECOMMENDED.