The Wild Man of the Navidad explained

The Wild Man of the Navidad
Director:
Producer:Kim Henkel
Starring:
  • Justin Meeks
  • Alex Garcia
  • Tony Wolford
  • Charlie Hurtin
  • Bob Wood
  • Edmond Geyer
  • Mac McBride
  • James Bargsley
  • Stacy Meeks
  • Patrick Hewlett
Music:
  • James McCrea
  • James Brand
  • Charlie Hurtin
  • Marshall Jones
  • Ben Buchanan
Cinematography:Duane Graves
Editing:
Distributor:MPI Media Group (North America)
Runtime:86 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

The Wild Man of the Navidad is a 2008 Bigfoot horror film written and directed by Duane Graves and Justin Meeks. It was picked up by IFC Films shortly after its world premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, and re-released in 2021 by MPI Media Group.[1] [2] [3] Dread Central named it one of the "Top 10 Bigfoot Movies of the 21st Century."[4]

Plot

This film is allegedly based on the real-life journals of Dale S. Rogers, a man who, in the 1970s, lived along the banks of the Navidad River in Sublime, Texas - the same area where the original legend of the Wild Man of the Navidad surfaced in the late 1800s.[5] [6] The film follows Dale, his wheelchair-using wife Jean, and her oft-shirtless, lazy-eyed caretaker Mario. Though their ranch sits on vast acres prime for paying hunters, Dale has resisted opening up the land because of the strange, Bigfoot-like creatures supposedly inhabiting it, but after the prodding of some of the rifle-loving townsfolk and the loss of his welding job, Dale gives in and opens the gate to his compound. Then, the hunters become the hunted.[7]

Production

The film is a throwback to drive-in Sasquatch films of the 1970s like The Legend of Boggy Creek, and is known for its recreation of their specific vintage style, pacing and feel—from the real-life characters down to the period production design and music.[8] The film was co-produced by Kim Henkel, co-writer of the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Tobe Hooper in 1974 and was written, directed and edited by two of Henkel's screenwriting/production students, Justin Meeks and Duane Graves.[9]

Reception

Ain't It Cool News described it as "about as perfect a Bigfoot film I've seen so far."[10] Scott Foy of Dread Central describes the film as "a creepy, southern-fried creature feature."[11] IFC Films' Alison Willmore states that it is "a welcome palate cleanser" for the horror genre.[12] Scott Weinberg of Cinematical calls it "enthusiastically splattery...a rather spirited little terror tale...that actually feels like it has been hidden in a vault."[13] Daily Variety critic John Anderson writes "cult status is already achieved...Wild Man mixes homage with horror for a pretty potent dose of movie moonshine."[14] Merle Bertrand of Film Threat relates it as "wonderfully retro...it's time to go back to the drive-in."[15]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AMC Networks Inc.. Rainbow-media.com. 11 September 2017.
  2. Web site: IndieWIRE: TRIBECA '08 | Tribeca Unveils Discovery, Midnight Slates for '08 Fest . March 14, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080314232152/http://www.indiewire.com/ots/2008/03/tribeca_08_trib.html . March 14, 2008 . Tribeca Unveils Discovery, Midnight Slates for '08 Fest
  3. Web site: TEXAS TERROR "THE WILD MAN OF THE NAVIDAD" RETURNS ON DVD; NEW TRAILER & ART. rue-morgue.com. 15 November 2021. 15 November 2021.
  4. Web site: Top 10 Bigfoot Movies of the 21st Century. rue-morgue.com. 6 May 2015.
  5. Web site: Wild Woman of the Navidad.. Texasescapes.com. 11 September 2017.
  6. Web site: The Wild Man of the Navidad. Wildmanofthenavidad.com. 11 September 2017.
  7. Web site: Tribeca Director Interview: Justin Meeks, the Wild Man of the Navidad… . https://archive.today/20130102182754/http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/blog/2008/04/tribeca-director-interview-justin-meeks.php . 2 January 2013 . dead.
  8. News: Beware: Bigfoot Ahead. Joe. O'Connell. The Austin Chronicle. 11 September 2017.
  9. News: A White-Knuckle Western. O'Connell. Joe. The Austin Chronicle. 2016-02-26. 2016-10-06.
  10. Web site: AICN HORROR goes Bigfootin'! Bug chats with the Zellner Brothers about SASQUATCH BIRTH JOURNAL 2!.... Aintitcool.com. 11 September 2017.
  11. Web site: Wild Man of the Navidad, the (DVD) | Horror Movie, DVD, & Book Reviews, News, Interviews at Dread Central . 2008-10-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101029052447/http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/wild-man-navidad-the-2007 . 2010-10-29 .
  12. Web site: Tribeca '08: Rednexploitation! "Tennessee," "From Within," "The Wild Man of Natividad." | Indie Eye | Film | IFC.com . May 18, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080908000909/http://www.ifc.com/film/indie-eye/2008/05/tribeca-08-rednecksploitation.php . September 8, 2008 . IFC Film's Review
  13. Web site: Entertainment, Movie & TV News - Moviefone.com. Moviefone. 11 September 2017.
  14. Web site: The Wild Man of the Navidad Review - Read Variety's Analysis of the Movie the Wild Man of the Navidad . 2008-10-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100827001427/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936893.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&query=wild+man+of+the+navidad . 2010-08-27 .
  15. Web site: Film Threat. Film Threat. 11 September 2017.

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