Written by: Michael Den Boer on December 8th, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: USA, 2006
Director: Eric Stanze
Writers: Eric Stanze, Jessie Seitz
Cast: William Clifton, Lindsay Luscri, Bryan Lane, Jason Allen Wolfe, Ramona Midgett
DVD released: October 9th, 2007
Approximate running time: 117 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Cinema Epoch
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $14.98
Synopsis: Eidolon’s Crossing was once a thriving community that was until a killer descended upon its children killing twenty six of them of thirty five years. Jake Richardson returns too Eidolon Crossing twenty eight after the disappearance of his brother Francis who was abducted and murdered by a killer who was never found. All these years later will Jake be able to uncover the truth behind his brother’s murder?
Deadwood Park is director Eric Stanze’s six feature film as a director. In his previous efforts most of which are gore/horror genre related he has shown his ability to stretch something out of nothing and come away with something that doesn’t look cheap or tacky. From Stanze’s first film Savage Harvest up through his latest Deadwood Park there is a direct progression in his creations as a filmmaker and even when he works with in the same genre the themes of his films are still often diverse and in ways very unique concepts in their own right.
Deadwood Park is a monumental achievement in the world of indie horror films with its near two hour running time this eerie and at times sinister tale of macabre sets things up slowly before going in for the jugular. The pacing, the editing and the photography are very reminiscent to that of Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” the amusement park just like the overlook hotel are both important characters in the telling of these stories.
The camera work is flawless as every moment and frame is filled to the brim with style and substance. My only complaint about Deadwood Park is the acting which at times feels wooden. Despite my low marks for the acting in Deadwood Park it is still the best I have seen in any Eric Stanze film to date. Ultimately Deadwood Park is a classic ghost story which seduces the viewer with it iconic locations and stylized cinematography.
The DVD:
Deadwood Park is presented in an anamorphic widescreen which preserves the film’s original aspect ratio. The image looks clean, sharp and detailed. Outside of some minor instances of edge enhancement this transfer looks mighty impressive considering the films low budget and that is was shot on digital video.
The audio is clear and clean. It is nothing remarkable and yet it gets the job done just fine.
This release comes with a trio of extras a music video, outtake reel and the main extra an audio commentary with director/writer Eric Stanze. The audio commentary is filled with many great stories that are fascinating and informative. Cinema Epoch’s give’s Deadwood Park Eric Stanze’s most accomplished film to date a solid DVD release at more than affordable price, highly recommended.