Just Before Dawn (1981)

Calling it "Average" is about the best I can do, 14 March 2006

For whatever reason, I tend to be drawn to these backwoods, hillbilly horror films like a moth to a flame. I can't get enough of them. In this particular sub-genre, I would call Just Before Dawn average. It's not the best I've seen, but it's far from being as bad as something like Midnight (1982). In general, I think these films appeal to me because of their realism. Monsters, ghosts, and other supernatural elements are fine, but even the most basic and mundane of these films ask the viewer to stretch their imagination to some degree. In contrast, we've all heard stories about the crazy inbred mountain people and their distrust of modern society. And while films like Just Before Dawn may take liberties with the extreme violence, there's no denying the real stories of actual murders as a result of this culture clash.

In Just Before Dawn, a group of twenty-somethings makes there way to a remote mountain for a little fun and relaxation. They are warned twice, once by the Forest Ranger and again by a crazed man in the woods, to turn back. Ignoring the warnings, they set up camp and prepare to enjoy themselves. But these woods are home to more than the normal forest creatures. There's a killer on the loose and the group of young adults soon become the target. Sound familiar? This plot description could be applied to about a dozen films I can think of off the top of my head. It's that original.

I look at Just Before Dawn as a case of missed opportunities. There were places the movie could have gone to break away from the standard 80s backwoods, hillbilly horror mold and done something unique. For example, more information on the mountain family and what makes them tick would have been very interesting. Or, more explanation on the killers and how they lived and their motives would have been very interesting. Or, including the subplot involving mountain religions (as suggested in the interview on the DVD) would have been very interesting. But as it is, every opportunity to do something other than have a group of young people stalked through the woods by an unseen, silent assassin is missed.

To be fair, I'll give the movie some credit in a couple of instances. First, I thought it was a nice touch to keep the characters "real". What I mean is that too often in these movies, characters are little more than overdone stereotypes. The characters in Just Before Dawn aren't much different from people I've known. Second, there are a couple of very well done camera shots. For example, the scene of the killer walking through the waterfall in the background as two characters swim in the lake is very subtle and very effective. Third, a couple of the kill scenes rise above what I associate with low-budget 80s horror. The killing of the hunter at the beginning of the movie is very nice.

In the end, it's a shame that the makers of Just Before Dawn didn't take more chances. Had they been willing to push the envelope a bit more, this movie might have been one of the better examples of this sub-genre instead of being merely average.

5/10