The Ghost Dance (1982)

The Ghost Dance (1982). 1h 36m | R

“Horror films like u0026quot;The Ghost Danceu0026quot; are the most difficult ones to rate and review. On one hand, itu0026#39;s quite dull, incredibly slow-paced, and suffering from too many budgetary restraints. On the other, however, it takes its subject matter seriously and the cast and crew really do try hard generating a suspenseful atmosphere and a couple of authentically tense moments. The concept is quite like u0026quot;The Mummyu0026quot;, namely that an important archaeological discovery comes to life, turns out to be pure evil, and goes after the scientists who dared to disturb its final resting place. Here, itu0026#39;s the spirit of a raging Indian warrior that possesses a tall Indian medicine man and turns him into a silent killing machine. Writer/director Peter R. Buffa, who didnu0026#39;t really accomplish any other things in his film career, does an admirably fine job during a handful of sequences, including a spooky cat-and-mouse game on a highway at night, and a suspenseful confrontation inside the museumu0026#39;s research room. The performances, from an overall unknown cast, are rather good as well. Still, though, itu0026#39;s painfully obvious to see why u0026quot;The Ghost Danceu0026quot; is so obscure and doesnu0026#39;t have any cult status whatsoever. Although featuring three or four vicious and explicit murders, the overall pacing is too slow, the characters are bland and dull, and the killer isnu0026#39;t menacing enough.”