Masters of Horror - Pelts (2006)

Hooray for 'B' horror films!

'Pelts' is based on a short story by F. Paul Wilson, and is one of the Masters Of Horror series. Jake Feldman (played by Meat Loaf, perfect for the role) is a nasty tempered fur trader obsessed with a stripper named Shana (Ellen Ewusie). Animal trappers Pa and Jr Jameson trap some raccoons at an old sacred site, an animal in every trap. They've hit pay dirt. The raccoons are odd, strangely docile, and are wearing the most beautiful pelts the trappers have ever seen.

But the pelts are cursed, the animals sacred. After skinning the raccoons and touching the pelts, Jr goes crazy and kills Pa with a bat, then commits suicide by putting his face in a bear trap (a most awesome, gory scene to be sure!). Feldman comes out to buy the pelts, finds the bodies, and steals the pelts. He has big plans for the pelts, to make the most beautiful coat in the world and have Shana model it.

Along the way, many people touch the pelts. Those who touch the pelts become cursed, and are driven to brutal acts of self-mutilation. Those adorable, furry little critters leave a swath of bloody violence in their wake. The movie is cheap, but the FX is pretty decent (especially the faceless corpse of Jr). There's enough gore to satisfy the horror fanatic, and enough plot to carry it through. 'Pelts' was a surprise to me, one of those 'B' movie gems that you find once in awhile on the sale rack. My only problem is that there is no subtitles, not even for the hearing impaired. Rent first, but I wound out purchasing. Enjoy!
October 2, 2008

When is a pelt not a pelt?

For me, this flick answered a lot of questions about the fur industry. For example, what would happen if you stuck your face in an animal trap? Or, what would happen if you were a trapper and came upon a slew of raccoons whose fur was so lustrous that you just had to slaughter and skin them all (like John Saxon does)? Or, what would happen if you made a coat out of these rare furs to impress your lady friend (as Meat Loaf does)? The answers to all of these questions is: bad, spooky, gory, inexplicable things happen. I'm sure the folks from PETA are saying, "Serves them right!" But the game here is not politics, it's horror, and boy does Pelts deliver the goods. If you like movies that are guaranteed to give you nightmares, you want this one. August 10, 2008

good - bloody good, but ...

A typical Dario Argento movie, bloody good concerning the tricks, the camera, light and the editing and of corse the actors ... but the upcoming changes and growing madness in the characters who had contact with the pelts are not very much credible - I expected more suspense. Anyway - loving Dario Argento you'll love this movie!
tom May 11, 2008

Pelts

WOW!! This horror film is very INTENSE!! If you are not into gore, this is not a film to watch. And you must like MEATLOAF!! May 8, 2008

Disgustingly Entertaining!

I truly enjoyed this episode, although cringing through some of it. It has some of the worst (best?) gore scenes I have seen in a while. You've got people sticking their heads in steel traps, sewing their own nose and mouth shut, gutting themselves, and, of course, what Meat Loaf does at the end in EXCRUCIATINGLY slow detail.
I guess it's all about what one man will do for a piece of pie, and what raccoons with do when you mess with them.
Kudos to Dario Argento for finally having a good episode in this series!
Very cool, very gross, very fun!! May 1, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...