Deadly Blessing

 (1981)

by Tuna

Maren Jensen is married to an ex-Hittite (a fictitious religious sect that makes the Amish seem like swingers) who has been shunned by his father for marrying her, going to college, using a tractor, and other horrible sins. It is clear that the Hittites don't like them being there, and the sect members talk a lot about "the Succubus" and "his messenger."

Then things get a little weird. When Maren's husband is killed by his tractor, two of her sorority sisters come to stay with her. Her husband's brother is also having trouble with the family patriarch, and lusts after one of the sorority sisters. A retarded Hittite dies in their barn.  The body count rises ...

 ... and then things get really weird.

The film starts strongly, then goes downhill in the third act, with an ending completely out of left field. Despite the weak conclusion, this has enough going for it to be of interest to genre fans.

  • It was written and directed by Wes Craven, his third film, and includes a full-length commentary from him on the DVD.
  • It stars Maren Jensen of Battlestar Galactica and provides her only career nudity.
  • The supporting cast includes Sharon Stone in her first speaking role.
  • Ernest Borgnine went far enough over the top to earn a Razzie nomination for this role, although I saw nothing wrong in his portrayal of a religious fanatic. (Borgnine once won the Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe for Marty.)

 

 

 

 

Our Grade:

If you are not familiar with our grading system, you need to read the explanation, because the grading is not linear. For example, by our definition, a C is solid and a C+ is a VERY good movie. There are very few Bs and As. Based on our descriptive system, this film is a:

C-

Not really a good movie, but with enough curiosity-seeking appeal to make it worth a look.

NUDITY REPORT

  • Maren Jensen's character shows breasts, bush and buns. The buns are hers in two scenes, and she also show parts of her breasts from the side as well, but while wearing bandages over her nipples. A body double shows the actual nipples and bush. 

 

THE CRITICS AND ACADEMIES

There are no major reviews online, but you can find about a dozen genre-specialty reviews at the film's IMDb page.

 

THE BOX OFFICE

Box Office Mojo. It grossed about $8 million.

 

THE PEOPLE

   
4.9 IMDB summary (of 10)
   
 Confessions of a Pop Performer (1975)

This film has never been released on Region 1 DVD, and none has been announced here as yet.

It is available at RLDVDs.com on an Australian release. It is an all-region PAL, and so will play on your computer. Clock on the pic for details.