Synopsis:
After his son dies in a hit-and-run accident, Ed Harley (Lance Henriksen) seeks revenge against the teenagers responsible. With the help of a local witch (Florence Schauffler), Ed summons the vengeful demon Pumpkinhead to hunt and kill the group of friends. But when Ed discovers a bond between himself and the creature, he begins to have second thoughts about employing the vicious monster, and he fights to end Pumpkinhead’s murderous rampage before it is too late. (synopsis taken from Google)
Directed by: Stan Winston
Screenplay by: Stan Winston, Mark Patrick Carducci, Richard C. Weinman, Gary Gerani
Adapted from: Pumpkinhead (poem) by Ed Justice
Starring: Lance Henricksen, Jeff East, Tom Woodruff Jr.
Awards/Nominations:
- Saturn Award
- Nominated “Best Horror Film”
- Nominated “Best Actor” Lance Henricksen
- Nominated “Best Director” Stan Winston
My Edition:
Scream Factory Limited Edition Steelbook
Special Features:
- NEW 4K Scan From The Interpositive Film Element
- NEW 5.1 And 2.0 Audio Options
- Audio Commentary With Co-Screenwriter Gary Gerani And Creature & FX Creators Tom Woodruff, Jr. And Alec Gillis, Moderated By Filmmaker Scott Spiegel
- Night Of The Demon – An Interview With Co-Writer Richard Weinmann
- The Redemption Of Joel – An Interview With Actor John D’Aquino
- The Boy With The Glasses – An Interview With Actor Matthew Hurley
- Pumpkinhead Unearthed – A Six-Part Documentary On The Making Of The Film
- Remembering The Monster Kid – A Tribute To Stan Winston
- Demonic Toys – A Look At The Creation Of A Pumpkinhead Action Figure
- Behind-The-Scenes Footage
- Theatrical Trailer
- Still Gallery
My Thoughts:
First of all, please know I’ve got a lot to say about Pumpkinhead, but I’m not going to say much of it here – I’ve got an article brewing in me that I’d like to write up and shop around before I inevitably give up and post it somewhere that doesn’t pay. But it’s got the makings of a great piece (at least in my head), so I’d like to try to get something other than “exposure” (gag me with a spoon) out of it if I can.
For this post, I’m going to focus on this specific release, and the movie as a whole.
To begin, this movie means a lot to me. It is one of my absolute favorites, period (this is not a reference to the sequel – but yes, that was a menses joke and I’m not going to apologize).
Pumpkinhead is a timeless, terrifying backwoods folk horror tale of a man who makes a deal with a demon to avenge his beloved son.
“What ya ask got a powerful price.”
Although it was shot in 1988, there is absolutely nothing about this movie that makes it feel like a particular time. Even the City Kids that arrive and lead to Billy’s death seem to stand apart from time. Although there are some small markers of the era (I’m looking at you, Steve – why did you have to look so damned 80s?!), the Appalachia-like setting really creates a timeless look and feel.
Add to that the beauty of Pumpkinhead, who also exists outside of time somehow, and you’ve got yourself an evergreen work of art. I would suggest checking out PUMPKINHEAD – The Making of Stan Winston’s Demon of Vengeance from Stan Winston School of Character Arts for a bunch of incredible behind the scenes stuff. It’s a fascinating article and there are so many AMAZING process pictures, concept art, and other neat stuff!
The 4k scan didn’t ruin any of the magic of Pumpkinhead as far as I’m concerned. This movie has some of the most beautifully designed and composed shots I’ve ever seen in a horror film. Something less skillfully designed and shot could have suffered for the upscaling, but honestly it just made the beauty stand out further. I mean, hellooo:
The rest of the special features on this edition were already existing features, but they’re all fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the commentary, and the ‘Making Of’ documentary.
“Yer a fool, Ed Harley.”
The story in Pumpkinhead is so beautiful. It takes you on a rollercoaster ride of blinding grief, vengeance, and redemption all with the backdrop of demonic violence, possession, and a whole bunch of murder. It’s the story of one man fighting his demons, literally and figuratively.
It spawned multiple sequels (we’re not gonna talk about those) as well as a thankfully dead in the water reboot. There was a comic book series from Dark Horse Comics in 1993 called Pumpkinhead: The Rites of Exorcism which was never finished – it left off on a cliffhanger at issue 2. 😠 And Dynamite Entertainment apparently put out a five issue limited series, written by Cullen Bunn 2018.
In 1995, Electronic Arts put out a PC game that was not received well, despite Pumpkinhead being FUCKING ADORABLE.
Image credit: IMDB
There have also been some licensed model kits and statues over the years, all of which I would punch someone in the face to own. I guess what I’m getting at is that I’m not the only person who thinks that Pumpkinhead is pretty rad.
Also, Mayim Bialik is in it.
Rating:
Pumpkinhead Directed by: Stan Winston US Release Date: January 13, 1989 De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Rated R 86 Perfect Minutes
