Watch Scalps

Scalps is a horror film from 1983 directed by Fred Olen Ray. The movie features a group of archaeology students who go on a dig at an ancient Indian burial ground, which happens to be cursed. The students, who are led by Professor Machen (Roger Maycock), plan to uncover and study the artifacts and bones found in the area. However, unbeknownst to them, the site is cursed, and their presence angers the vengeful spirits of Native Americans who perished there centuries before.

The plot of the film kicks off with the introduction of a group of Native Americans, who are performing a sacred ritual in front of an ancient burial ground. The tribe is interrupted by a group of cattlemen, and a violent altercation ensues. An elder of the tribe places a curse on the cowboys before he dies, stating that whoever disturbs the sacred land will suffer the consequences.

The central story begins with Professor Machen and his team of students arriving at the burial ground to begin the excavation. One of the students, Sue (Jo-Ann Robinson), is a psychic who senses a negative energy while on the site. The group soon discovers an unusual, glowing rock that they believe to be the source of the curse. However, they ignore the warning signs and continue with their work, leading to an outbreak of terror on the site.

The students begin experiencing nightmares and hallucinations, which lead to paranormal events around the campsite. The ghostly apparitions of Native American warriors haunt the students, appearing and disappearing at will. The film also includes some graphic and bloody violence, including scalping and impaling. All in all, Scalps is a typical 80s horror film, complete with over-the-top gore and jump scares.

Despite the film's low budget, there are some commendable aspects to the production. The location is well-selected and atmospheric, and the special effects are impressive given the time that the film was made. The film features a haunting score and appropriate sound effects, adding to the tension and suspense of the film. The acting is tolerable, and the dialogue is serviceable.

However, the movie does have its flaws. The pacing is uneven, and some of the scenes seem to drag on longer than necessary. Additionally, the characters lack depth and are not particularly compelling, which makes it difficult for viewers to sympathize with them when they fall victim to the curse. The film also relies heavily on jump scares and gore, which may feel cheap to some viewers.

In conclusion, Scalps is a run-of-the-mill horror flick from the 80s that will appeal to fans of the genre. The film is not particularly well-written or well-acted, but it does have some effective scares and an eerie atmosphere. The special effects are commendable, especially for a low budget film, and the film will provide some cheap thrills for viewers in the mood for horror.

Scalps is a 1983 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.9.