Pumpkinhead Unearthed (2008) Online

This 66 minute retrospective documentary offers an interesting and informative take on the making of the late 80's horror cult classic "Pumpkinhead." Among the folks interviewed are co-writer Gary Gerani, cast members Lance Henriksen, Florence Schauffler, Cynthia Bain, Kerry Remsen, and Brian Bremer, make-up guys Shannon Shea, Alec Gillis, and Tom Woodruff Jr. (the latter played the highly impressive titular demonic creature), production designer Cynthia Charette, and producer Bill Blake. Gerani reveals that the basic premise was initially devised in the 70's, Charette admits she loved the challenge of designing the picture on a limited budget, and Woodruff Jr. notes that only one wire was used to help him keep his balance while portraying the monster in an elaborate suit. Henriksen has some great stuff to relate for his preparation as Ed Harley: Lance not only got the shotgun, baseball cap, and even silver dollars for his part, but also even acquired dentures to give himself an appropriately rural look. Moreover, Henriksen wanted to do the role because of the scene were his deceased son pops up in the pick-up truck and asks him what he's done. Schaeffler looks back with great fondness on her role as the grotesque swamp witch Haggis and reveals that the costume she wore weighed about 65 pounds. Bain and Remsen likewise enjoyed acting in the movie. Everyone has nothing but good things to say about the late, great Stan Winston, who was extremely serious and passionate about the project, left the make-up team alone to design the creature, and overall was a really nice, sensitive, and supportive fellow. We also find out that the film was held up for theatrical release for a year and only received a slight theatrical release before going to video where it eventually was discovered by a mass audience and subsequently acquired its considerable cult status. Loaded with neat behind-the-scenes photos and footage, this doc is recommended viewing for fans of the film.

Pumpkinhead Unearthed (2008)

*** (out of 4)

Fans of the cult film PUMPKINHEAD will certainly enjoy this sixty minute documentary that takes a look at the production of the film. Co-writer Gary Gerani is joined by cast members Lance Henriksen, Cynthia Bain, Kerry Remsen and Florence Shauffler among others and we also get special effects workers Tom Woodruff, Shannon Shea and Alex Gillis. The documentary is spread over six chapters and for the most part all of them are quite entertaining. Some of the best stuff happens early on when we learn about some early ideas for the film and how everything changed once Stan Winston came on board. The director is sadly missing from the documentary but we certainly get a good idea of what it was like working with him with each of the cast members telling some good stories. While this certainly isn't as detailed as some future making-of featurettes it's still worth watching.