Don't Go in the Woods (1981)

"Never, never go in the woods alone." - Craig

A maniac is hunting people in the forest.
Starring: Nick Cleland, Mary Gail Artz, James P. Hayden, Angie Brown, Ken Carter

Link to IMDB

Craig, Peter, Ingrid and Joanne are going hiking in the mountains for the weekend, and while Craig considers himself an expert about how to survive in the wilderness, nothing could prepare him for what's about to happen.
There's a crazy killer in the woods, and we quickly see that he's been murdering anyone he finds. Fishermen, bird watchers, and campers, all get attacked by the axe-wielding madman.
Despite some kills early in the movie, not much happens for awhile. The four campers are just hiking along, unaware of the danger that is nearby.

Meanwhile, the local sheriff hears about people missing in the woods, so he takes his airplane to scout the terrain, but his efforts to find anyone is fruitless.
The killer's identity isn't really a secret, he's just a crazy mountain man that has gone feral, or something. But he's good at what he does, so as the movie progresses the deaths get bloodier, crazier, and more creative.
When Peter witnesses one of the murders, the killer turns his attention to him and his friends, but can they survive long enough for the sheriff's search party to rescue them!?

Peter                                   Sheriff

This is clearly a homemade project, but the general sloppiness lends a raw, unhinged energy to the events, making them seem even weirder than they are. I'm sure it was accidental, but sometimes the editing seems almost experimental, like they were trying to create a surrealist film.

The Killer

There's plenty of creative bloodshed, but what's really great is how damn funny the movie is. It's not a comedy, but the filmmakers clearly knew they should embrace the ridiculousness of what they're doing instead of trying to make a serious horror movie.
One scene in particular, where a wheelchair bound man tries to go hiking is truly hilarious, and had me laughing so hard I had to pause the movie.

Unfortunately, much of the movie drags, and there's many moments where the characters are just walking through the woods with nothing of importance going on. But when the movie is delivering the crazy times, it's quite fun and packed with laughs.

Does the movie deliver on the Don't...
10 out of 10
There's a very high chance of being killed if you go anywhere near the woods!

Be sure not to miss:
- Dick's "love van" is pretty funny.
- Sometimes the crickets chirping are louder than the dialog!
- Rollerskating in the woods?
- The music is amazing, creepy synths with some discordant scronks, vrooms and gongs.

Internet review:
"A fine slice of cheesy entertainment that doesn't skimp on the blood." - Bezenby

Should I watch it?
Do it.

Where can I find it?
It is on YouTube, but without the crazy music.
Instead, watch it here.

Don't Go in the Woods gets...