The Wild Man of the Navidad
| The Wild Man of the Navidad | |
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| Directed by |
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| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Duane Graves |
| Edited by |
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| Music by |
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| Distributed by | IFC Films (North America) |
Release date |
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Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Wild Man of the Navidad is a 2008 horror film written and directed by Duane Graves and Justin Meeks. It was picked up by IFC Films shortly after its world premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.[1][2]
Plot
This film is allegedly based on the real-life journals of Dale S. Rogers, a man who, in the 1970s, lived along the banks of the Navidad River in Sublime, Texas - the same area where the original legend of the Wild Man of the Navidad surfaced in the late 1800s.[3][4] The film follows Dale, his wheelchair-using wife Jean, and her oft-shirtless, lazy-eyed caretaker Mario. Though their ranch sits on vast acres prime for paying hunters, Dale has resisted opening up the land because of the strange, Bigfoot-like creatures supposedly inhabiting it, but after the prodding of some of the rifle-loving townsfolk and the loss of his welding job, Dale gives in and opens the gate to his compound. Then, the hunters become the hunted.[5]
Cast
- Justin Meeks as Dale S. Rogers
- Alex Garcia as Mario Jalisco
- Tony Wolford as the Wild Man
- Stacy Meeks as Jean Rogers
- Bob Wood as Earl Smith
- Edmond Geyer as Sheriff Lyle Pierce
- William McBride (as William 'Mac' McBride) as Boss Man Jack
- Charlie Hurtin as Karl Crabtree
- Patrick Hewlett as Vern Findlay
- James Bargsley as Melvin Pennell
Production
The film is a throwback to drive-in Sasquatch films of the 1970s like The Legend of Boggy Creek, and is known for its recreation of their specific vintage style, pacing and feel—from the real-life characters down to the period production design and music.[6] The film was co-produced by Kim Henkel, co-writer of the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Tobe Hooper in 1974 and was written, directed and edited by two of Henkel's screenwriting/production students, Justin Meeks and Duane Graves.[7]
Reception
Ain't It Cool News described it as "about as perfect a Bigfoot film I've seen so far."[8] Scott Foy of Dread Central describes the film as "a creepy, southern-fried creature feature."[9] IFC Films' Alison Willmore states that it is "a welcome palate cleanser" for the horror genre.[10] Scott Weinberg of Cinematical calls it "enthusiastically splattery...a rather spirited little terror tale...that actually feels like it has been hidden in a vault."[11] Daily Variety critic John Anderson writes "cult status is already achieved...Wild Man mixes homage with horror for a pretty potent dose of movie moonshine."[12] Merle Bertrand of Film Threat relates it as "wonderfully retro...it's time to go back to the drive-in."[13]
References
- ^ "AMC Networks Inc". Rainbow-media.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Tribeca Unveils Discovery, Midnight Slates for '08 Fest - ^ "Wild Woman of the Navidad". Texasescapes.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "The Wild Man of the Navidad". Wildmanofthenavidad.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ [1]
- ^ O'Connell, Joe. "Beware: Bigfoot Ahead". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ O'Connell, Joe (2016-02-26). "A White-Knuckle Western". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
- ^ "AICN HORROR goes Bigfootin'! Bug chats with the Zellner Brothers about SASQUATCH BIRTH JOURNAL 2!..." Aintitcool.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) IFC Film's Review - ^ "Entertainment, Movie & TV News - Moviefone.com". Moviefone. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Film Threat". Film Threat. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
