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Death Valley (1981)

Facts

Directed byDick Richards
CastPaul Le Mat, Catherine Hicks, Stephen McHattie and A. Wilford Brimley
Theatrical ReleaseNovember 30, 1980
Video ReleaseJanuary 1, 2002
Running Time90 minutes
MPAA RatingR (Restricted)
UPC Code096897100633
Buy this item ...12 used from $17.24
 

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User Reviews

Average user review: 3.5 (7 reviews)

rating: 4 QuoteKilller ThrillerQuote
I've been looking for this movie for quite a while now, I knew Peter Billingsly played in it but for some reason couldn't find it until today.
it will have you sitting at the end of your seat, because you don't know what to expect next (the part i especially remember is the greedy baby sitter, and also when the young guy hid in the back of the car).also the twist that you couldn't have foreseen.
A must see, believe me you wouldn't be disappointed.

JAG
January 24, 2008

rating: 4 QuoteA Must See For Slasher FansQuote
"Death Valley" is by far one of my favorite 80's slasher flicks,
It has a good storyline it's very believable it also has great acting and great kills..
I am SO waiting for this to come out on DVD..I mean they put "Don't Go In The Woods Alone" on DVD recently so why cant they put this slasher gem on disc? Who knows, maybe soon...I still laugh at the part where the fat baby sitter eats up all the kids food and seems to savor every second of every bite,for some reason that always cracks me up..
All in all Death Valley is a gem of a movie that I recommend highly,It's on my listomania of the greatest slashers from the 70's and 80's,check that list out..
December 31, 2006

rating: 3 Quote3.5 STARS: "You got a hollow door here, Billy, made in Japan." -Mr. Peterson Quote
You know it's interesting to me when I think about some of the trash that gets put on DVD, but here is one of the better 80s slasher flicks in "Death Valley" with damn good acting and a really good story but you cannot find on DVD!?!? Indeed, this is an 80's slasher classic lost in the midst of DVD garbage...lost, indeed, but not forgotten. Why is it that movies like this one don't get put on DVDs?

"Death Valley" is about a mother, her boyfriend and her child, Billy, (played well by that kid who played Ralphie in "A Christmas Story"-Bill Billingsly I think) who go on a vacation out west. Billy comes across something that he should not have and what ensues is a deadly cat and mouse game between the young boy and a vicious killer. This movie has a nice little twist which is sure to surprise you if not shock you. "Death Valley" is unique for its type and the kills are pretty good, especially the babysitter by the drink machine and the guy in the camper...lot's of throat-slitting in this one as this was the killer's modus operandi so to speak...that was well done. Maybe even more than that, "Death Valley" has a plot, and does attempt some character development along with a subplot about Billy's shaky relationship with his mother's boyfriend.

"Death Valley" is a strong THREE STARS to 3.5 STARS horror flick true to the slasher genre or sub-genre if you will, but this movie has great acting for a slasher flick, nice character development, good plot and a nice scary atmosphere to accentuate horror...this movie is no "Halloween" by any means, but I've seen garbage on DVD before, so why not a good movie like this? Last time I saw this movie, it was on USA when they used to have horror movies that came on late Saturday nights...oh, the good ole days! LET'S START THE CHANT NOW: WE WANT DVD, WE WANT DVD, WE WANT DVD!!!!! I hope I'm not the only one chanting because "Death Valley" is a pretty good little horror movie.
[...] September 23, 2005

rating: 4 Quote"Do you wanna play? Okay, I'll play with you"Quote
Those were the innocent words of Billy to a madman who was intent on killing him! This movie was really good and I remember seeing it when I was in junior high school. I haven't seen it since and have been searching for the video for the longest time. Yeah, it's dated 80's fare, but IGNORE that! The storyline is cool and a small boy who is smart enough to outwit the killer time and again in ANY way possible. It was like playing cat and mouse. The line quoted in the title shows that Billy believes that this maniac is just "playing" with him, unaware that his life was in danger. When he DOES realize it in the movie, he has more wits than an adult!!! This movie was cool back then and I'm SO GLAD to add it to my movie collection! It is one of those RARE thrillers that do not show a bunch of blood, gore and just a tad of nudity. Also, the scenery was LOVELY!!! March 15, 2003

rating: 4 QuoteLong Lost MovieQuote
I have search high and low for a new copy of this without spending a fortune. Nonetheless, I had to go with used for a small price. The reason I like this film is I remember seeing it when I was a young kid and I like the desert, out of cities movies. This is a great family vaction slash horror flick. The acting is not so great but the story and flow of the movie keeps you going. I hope to see this one come to DVD. April 24, 2002

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