Just Before Dawnby Anonymous

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July 19, 2005: Jeff Lieberman's extraordinary JUST BEFORE DAWN,finally being released on dvd,should be an addition to any horror film fan's library as an example of how to do a textbook stalk-and-slash shocker 100% right..it has amazed me over the years why this film has never achieved classic status and still,to most people,remains an obscurity,hopefully corrected now with Shriekshow's forthcoming two disc set. Beautifully shot,slow and immaculately crafted,with very decent performances all round,this is not your average shocker,but imbues it's scenes with atmosphere,menace and haunting music and sound effects to slowly envelop the viewer in it's brutal and outlandish tale. Credits must go to Gregg Henry and Deborah Benson for their sterling,believable characterisations,to the director for his skilful sleight of hand (there are three or four scenes of shock that are brilliantly timed and well-thought out..check out the first killing and the big revelation of not one,but TWO killers) and the measured pacing that ekes out suspense and makes the final confrontation between killer and remaining potential victims one of the most powerful in the genre! Scary,adult,intelligent,wonderful to look at and full of very real feeling characters being menaced as much by the threat/beauty/danger of nature as by brace of hulking simple-minded killers,this really should be up there amongst the all-time horror greats. Buy this dvd and be amazed!