Barnes & Noble

While modern movie monsters tend to be smooth, shiny computer-generated creations, the titular beast of 1988's Pumpkinhead is an utterly convincing -- and frightening -- throwback to the days when monsters were actors in rubber suits. The story follows Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen), a widowed farmer who loses his only son to some reckless city teens. Seeking retribution, Ed has a local witch raise a demon to stalk and kill the hapless youths. The raised demon is Vengeance, however, and vengeance always comes with a price -- in this case, Ed experiences the pain and terror of his victims' deaths. To save himself from damnation, Ed must protect the remaining local kids from the very demon he raised. Less an effect than a character, Pumpkinhead himself is the film's real star. A tall and sinisterly agile beast (given form and movement by Tom Woodruff Jr.), the demon interacts with human costars in a marvelously menacing manner that is far more natural looking than any computer-generated effects of the day. Directed by seasoned effects artist Stan Winston -- a three-time Academy Award winner for Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, and Aliens -- the film is a visual treat, shot in lush reds and blues. Threatening, fog-bound mountains are juxtaposed with warm, firelit cabin interiors. Cackling, sinister witches inhabit lairs crawling with rats and spiders, while demons are buried and unearthed in pumpkin patches that might spook -- and please -- Tim Burton. Daniel Craft

All Movie Guide

A bereaved farmer enlists the aid of a terrifying demon to help avenge his son's death in this stylish horror movie that contains a strong moral. It all begins as gentle widowed farmer/general store owner Ed's beloved 10-year-old son is involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident with an careless unknown motorcyclist. Ed nearly goes berserk with grief and to bring back his son heads to the cabin of a wise old witch to see if she can rejuvenate the youth. Unfortunately, it is beyond her considerable powers so Ed, now equally desperate for revenge, invokes the legendary Pumpkinhead, a terrifying demon with the power to make the biker pay. One by one, Pumpkinhead dispatches the terrified cyclist and his friends, leaving Ed to reconsider his rashness. He tries to call the demon back, but by then it is far too late.... The film is the directorial debut of Oscar-winning special effects wizard Stan Winston. Sandra Brennan

Product Details

• UPC: 883904114956
• Source: MGM (VIDEO & DVD)
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital Surround
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Français, Español
• Time: 1:26:00
• Sales Rank: 18,313

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