When young Marylee Williams (Tonya Crowe) is found viciously mauled, all hell breaks loose in her small rural town. Officious postmaster Otis P. Hazelrigg (Charles Durning) leads a gang of bigots in pursuit of the suspect: her mentally challenged friend Bubba Ritter (Larry Drake). Finding him hiding inside a scarecrow, they exact brutal mob “justice”…only to discover a tragic mistake! Now a strange apparition stalks the land seeking each of them out, as the legend of the Scarecrow begins. Bonus Features: Director & Writer Commentary, Original World Premiere Trailer. Product Specs: DVD9; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround; 96 minutes; Color; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA NR; Year 1981; SRP – .99.
Rating: 
(out of 39 reviews)
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August 5, 2010
#1
Review by E. Barrios
Rating:
I can’t believe this gem of horror is finally being released on DVD. I’m glad VCI Entertainment stepped up to the plate on this one, just like they did when they released Gargoyles, which is another made-for-tv classic. Dark Night of the Scarecrow has everything going for it and then some. It’s got actors who know how to act, spooky atmosphere, a decent script, great kill scenes, and of course, a healthy does of the supernatural.
I must’ve been around ten or eleven when I first watched this movie with my mom. We both loved it, especially Charles Durning’s role as the town’s mail carrier. The expressions on that guy’s face are incredible. His performance alone really draws a person in. And Jocelyn Brando’s performance as the mother is also amazing.
I hope that VCI does a great job on the transfer. I hope it’s progressively scanned with a high bitrate without any noise reduction filters or edge enhancements. Also, I’d love to see blacks as deep as possible and colors spot on. Are you hearing me VCI?
Don’t rent this baby, just go and buy it and keep it in your collection!
August 5, 2010
#2
Review by Sharon A. Hutchinson
Rating:
So who says you need a huge budget, a lot of computer generated special effects, and super big names to make an excellent horror film?
I saw this originally back when it first aired on TV and have never forgotten it. The screenplay is superb; I believe even Stephen King could not have done any better. One is kept wondering throughout the film if a vengeful human–District Attorney, Bubba’s mother, the little girl–might be exacting the justice that was denied in the courtroom. The ending shot is almost poetic in both its simplicity and what it confides to us. The director halts the film at that touching, if horrific moment, while the little girl’s voice continues speaking to the Scarecrow as the credits roll. It doesn’t get any better then this.
I have always found scarecrows to be unsettling at the least and a frightening parody of man at best. Curiously, its origins actually stem back into ancient pagan religions. Scarecrows actually do not scare crows, or other birds for that matter, due to the fact that they never move (except in the movies) and the animals become used to their presence. In reality, they represent the ancient God of Fertility, and were put in fields as a supplication to this god for a bountiful harvest. Few people today realize that when they put up this effigy, they are really worshiping an ancient deity. Which, in my opinion, fits in nicely with the theme of supernatural revenge in this movie.
There is also an unsettling thread throughout this movie and others like it (Dark Secret of Harvest Home comes to mind) of just what might be occurring in these small and isolated communities. Seemingly almost out of touch with the modern world, Dark Night of the Scarecrow reminds us that anything is possible within an insular town, even murder and revenge.
This is a classic that needs to be digitally re-mastered onto DVD, if someone hasn’t thought of it already. It is a refreshing change from the big blockbusters of today, and shows that imagination coupled with an outwardly innocent setting can produce a tale of pure horror. Horror, yes, but with an ending that is curiously satisfying. I could not think of a better way to end this grim little fairy tale from the depths of darkness.
August 5, 2010
#3
Review by Melanie
Rating:
Excellent movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I first saw it in 1981 and I still find it one of the best horror movies I’ve ever seen. The fact that you don’t have to endure the usual bloody mess makes it easy to watch time and time again.
August 5, 2010
#4
Review by Bindy Sue Frønkünschtein
Rating:
DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW is another of the classic made-for-tv movies that transcends the medium. A lot of the reason for this is the superb acting of Charles Durning (WHEN A STRANGER CALLS, WHEN A STRANGER CALLS BACK) as the world’s most sinister mailman. After mistakenly killing a man for a crime he didn’t commit, Durning and his fellow conspirators are haunted, stalked, and killed in horrible “accidents”. The atmosphere is perfectly dark, the story exceptionally creepy, and the finale is quite memorable. You’ll never look at scarecrows the same way again! Watch for Larry Drake (DARKMAN, DR. GIGGLES) as the ill-fated “Bubba”. Buy immediately…
August 6, 2010
#5
Review by J. Langford
Rating:
Thrilled that this movie will finally be released on DVD! Anyone wanting a slasher flick will be disappointed. It’s a good horror story, nice and creepy, but not a gore-fest, which is why I like it so much. This movie is a family favorite, and I remember watching it as a kid when it premiered back in the 80′s as a made-for-television movie. There were plenty of good television movies made in the 70′s and 80′s, and this was one of the best. DNOTS is the movie to watch on a rainy night…kill the lights, hit the couch with a bowl of popcorn, and enjoy a good scary movie that won’t make you gag.