If there ever was a definition of a “cult” film, it would be 1983’s folk horror oddity known as Eyes of Fire. Admittedly I had never even heard of this until last year but given that this was previously unreleased on anything outside of VHS since 1987, it isn’t surprising that it sat in obscurity for anyone who didn’t live in the backroom of their local video store. That, or people who were willing to shill out an entire paycheck for a copy on eBay. Seriously folks, just wait. Eventually everything becomes available to the public for purchase (unless it’s literally a lost film like the original Korean cut of Yongarry, Monster from the Deep or Alfred Hitchcock’s The Mountain Eagle).
Timeline-wise, this is one of the oldest films I’ve reviewed
for Unseen Terror in quite some time. Eyes of Fire takes place in 1750
during colonial times (and before the United States declared independence) and is
told through the viewpoints of two young women who have been discovered by
French military officers. Along with a handful of others from their settlement,
they were forced to flee after the new, Christian preacher was accused of
adultery. They make their way downriver to establish a new colony but find
themselves on land that may harbor vengeful spirits rarely seen by man nor
beast. Before I get into any further discussion about this, I have to say that
we really do need to respect and treasure physical media, because I doubt that
anyone save for film connoisseurs such as Arrow Video, Vinegar Syndrome, or Severin
Films (the latter of whom were able to get this out on 4K Blu-Ray in 2021)
would ever be able to put enough care into making something this old look at
least ten years younger than it actually is. From what I understand, Severin
ended up going directly to writer/director Avery Crounse for a proper print,
and not only was he willing to assist, but he even provided them with the
original, lengthier cut (titled Crying Blue Sky) to touch up and release
as well should they like. I have to say, I’d be more than willing to watch a
longer version of this picture, because I’m almost certain that the additional lost
twenty-something minutes could make things a bit more coherent than what we
have here. Mind you, what we get here is pretty damn great though.
As expected with a lot of entries in the “folk horror”
genre, there is some trippy and surreal imagery found throughout Eyes of
Fire, especially in its second half. There wasn’t a single time when I saw
faces seemingly engraved in trees that I didn’t get a slightly weird vibe. The
film as a whole is very photogenic, which makes sense when you consider that
Crounse’s background was primarily in the photography field. Its slow,
sometimes quiet nature almost feels like it’s out of place (in a good way!) for
something released during one of the most decadent and “outrageous” decades of
cinema. If you were to feature this at a showcase for obscure horror movies at
your local cineplex, I think people would be genuinely surprised that this wasn’t
released in the late 70s. As for the quality of the film beyond its striking visuals?
Well, I’d say that the acting is mostly very solid, with the striking Karlene Crockett
standing out as a mostly mute and very peculiar ally whose past could unexpectedly
help shape everyone’s future. There’s also the previously mentioned preacher
played by the late Dennis Lipscomb, whose foolish hopes and faith are constantly
put to the test as we see him slowly descend into madness. Everyone else feels slightly
underdeveloped (including a young Rob Paulsen…. yes,THAT Rob Paulsen for all of
you voiceover geeks reading this), but I’d attribute that more to studio
interference and forced cuttings than anything else.
I don’t really give out unofficial “awards” for these kinds
of marathons that I do (despite some people saying that I should), but I’d say
that Eyes of Fire would win for best hidden gem of this year’s Unseen
Terror. I think that if you’re a fan of more renown entries in the folk horror
field (i.e. The Wicker Man, The Witch, Midsommar), this is worth
tracking down. It’s currently streaming on Shudder and is available to purchase
on Blu-Ray from Severin Films.
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