The Wild Man of the Navidad
| The Wild Man of the Navidad | |
|---|---|
| Directed by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Kim Henkel |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Duane Graves |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by |
|
| Distributed by | MPI Media Group (North America) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Wild Man of the Navidad is a 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]
Cast
- Justin Meeks as Dale S. Rogers
- Alex Garcia as Mario Jalisco
- Tony Wolford as the Wild Man
- Stacy Meeks as Jean Rogers
- Bob Wood as Earl Smith
- Edmond Geyer as Sheriff Lyle Pierce
- William McBride (as William 'Mac' McBride) as Boss Man Jack
- Charlie Hurtin as Karl Crabtree
- Patrick Hewlett as Vern Findlay
- James Bargsley as Melvin Pennell
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
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]
References
- ^ "AMC Networks Inc". Rainbow-media.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "IndieWIRE: TRIBECA '08 | Tribeca Unveils Discovery, Midnight Slates for '08 Fest". Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2008. Tribeca Unveils Discovery, Midnight Slates for '08 Fest
- ^ "TEXAS TERROR "THE WILD MAN OF THE NAVIDAD" RETURNS ON DVD; NEW TRAILER & ART". rue-morgue.com. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "Top 10 Bigfoot Movies of the 21st Century". rue-morgue.com. 6 May 2015.
- ^ "Wild Woman of the Navidad". Texasescapes.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "The Wild Man of the Navidad". Wildmanofthenavidad.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "Tribeca Director Interview: Justin Meeks, the Wild Man of the Navidad…". Archived from the original on 2 January 2013.
- ^ O'Connell, Joe. "Beware: Bigfoot Ahead". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ O'Connell, Joe (2016-02-26). "A White-Knuckle Western". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
- ^ "AICN HORROR goes Bigfootin'! Bug chats with the Zellner Brothers about SASQUATCH BIRTH JOURNAL 2!..." Aintitcool.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "Wild Man of the Navidad, the (DVD) | Horror Movie, DVD, & Book Reviews, News, Interviews at Dread Central". Archived from the original on 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "Tribeca '08: Rednexploitation! "Tennessee," "From Within," "The Wild Man of Natividad." | Indie Eye | Film | IFC.com". Archived from the original on September 8, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2009. IFC Film's Review
- ^ "Entertainment, Movie & TV News - Moviefone.com". Moviefone. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "The Wild Man of the Navidad Review - Read Variety's Analysis of the Movie the Wild Man of the Navidad". Archived from the original on 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ "Film Threat". Film Threat. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
