Not only does this film manage to be a clever allegory about the destruction of the nuclear family via the Vietnam war; it also happens to be extremely frightening and a superbly made chiller. I'm really surprised that this film hasn't got the attention that it deserves - it's rarely heard of these days, yet I found it to be one of the best American horror films of the 1970s that I've seen. It's simple, yet starkly disturbing, with understated performances and a slow pace which genuinely wracks up the fear factor to breaking point at the end.Excellent performances from most of the cast automatically raise my opinion on this film. The standout for me was John Marley's performance as Andy's father; he plays a man who has to come to terms with the fact that his son has turned into a remorseless killing machine. Marley gives a subtle moving performance as he turns to drink for support and finally cannot handle the horror around him. He gives an extremely moving performance to a character who could have become like Burt Young in AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION; i.e. a complete bastard. Richard Backus, in his debut acting appearance, is also superb as the haunted and haunting Andy, with little dialogue he brings us a fleshed-out, frightening and yet sympathetic monster.Lynn Carlin plays the tragic role of a mother who cannot admit that her son is evil, and supports him even until the sad end. Carlin gives her neurotic character an extra depth, something rarely seen in matriarchal figures in the movies. The only performance to fall short, for me, was Anya Ormsby's as Andy's sister; but at least she doesn't manage to be as annoying here as she was in CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS. Henderson Forsythe also puts in a nice turn as the town's local doctor.The slow pacing of this film actually works for it, giving an extra dimension of realism. Most films try to jam as many deaths and as much horror into their running time as possible; this one almost feels like the events are playing out in real time, and in real life. The deaths aren't dwelt on here, the camera instead preferring to show us a few disturbingly bloody flashes before cutting away, making their impact greater. Another achievement for the film is Backus' makeup as he begins to rot away; a young Tom Savini was responsible for these, on a limited budget, and he works wonders. There are signs of the artist's later genius here in the gruesome looking wrinkles and wounds which begin to appear on Andy's body and his final transformation into a hideous zombie makes him look highly similar to Regan in THE EXORCIST, which came out a year later.There are many horrific instances in the film, none more so than when Andy crushes the family's dog when it barks at him one time too many. All of the murders notch up the shock horror scale, but it's the haunting image of Andy rocking in his chair which stays in the mind. After an exciting chase finale, the final poignant image has Andy dying again in a newly-prepared grave. This is earthy, disturbing horror at its finest, and a damn good film at that. This one definitely deserves to be tracked down.

Cult Director Bob Clark can be Forgiven for Porky's (1982), Although the Deserved Profits from that Low-Budget Embarrassment Could be Considered a Late Arrival for Past Excellence. This is an Allegorical Sleeper About Returning Vietnam Vets at a Time When that Debacle was Far From Analysis and a Subject that was Divisive as Well as Deadening at the Box Office.It is an Eerie Movie that is Frequently Undermined by its Low-Budget but the Director Manages to Draw the Attention to the Unsettling Story of a Mother's Unconditional Love for Her Deceased Son, Even when He is Summoned from the Other Side and Returns as the Walking Dead.The Cast Does What it Can with the Chinsy Sound and Some Awkward Arrangements but the Strength is the Creepy Unfolding of a Family Torn Apart and the Detached and Deranged Behavior from a Lost Soul Portrayed by Richard Backus. He is an Addict and a Monster Created by the Evil Evolvement in a War that Should Not Have Been.This is a Well-Received and Touted Cult Film by Many who have Seen it, Although it is Relatively Unknown Outside of Horror Buffs. It Remains a Movie A Head of its Time and is Quite the Underground Classic and Should be Seen by Film Historians and Pop-Culture Archeologists, or Anyone Looking for a Good Cutting-Edge Scare from a Movie with a Message.

****SPOILERS**** It was the fallout of the war in Vietnam that brought this tragedy upon the Brooks family with their son Andy,Richard Bckus, coming back, after being reported killed in action, as a blood drinking and flesh eating Zombie who ends up destroying his family and those close and dear to him. It's Andy's dad old man Charlie Brooks, John Morly, who at first suspects that he's not exactly normal when in an unprovoked fit of rage killed the family dog Butchy who with his canine and animal instincts smelled something rotten about him. Its Andy's overprotective mom Christine, Lynn Carlin, who looked the other way in what a monster her son had become, due to the war in Vietnam, that had him get away with all the damage that he did in the movie.Zombie-like and showing no emotion Andy at first murdered and drank dry, of all his blood, the nice kindly and a bit drunk truck driver David Gawlikowski, who gave him a lift home from the cemetery. Now home with the family Andy plans to murder and drink the blood of the family doctor Philip Allman, Henderson Forsythe, who like the late family dog Butchy smells something foul about him, as well as his unkempt and unsocial way of doing things, who plans to go to the local police and report him for the possible murder of truck driver Gawlikowski whom he examined for the police department.****SPOILERS**** Andy soon gets the upper hand on Dr. Allman by breaking into his office, in the dead of night, and doing a number on him by strangling and drinking his blood to keep him from talking. It's finally when Andy is reunited with the girl he left behind Joanne, Jane Daly, by his kid sister Cathy, Anya Omsby, and her boyfriend Bob, Michael Maze, to go on a double date to the local drive-in that he really shows his true colors. It's old man Charlie Brooks who in trying to prevent any more murders committed by his son Andy who, in not having the guts to do it, ends up blowing hi s brains out instead. In the end Andy ends up just where he started in the local cemetery with him mom, now completely out of her mind, doing her best together with Andy in burying his rotting and putrid corpse as well as the horrors that he brought along with it.

This is a very good film for what it is. If you don't expect Shakespeare or a film from the Criterion Collection, then you may also find that it's an amiable little film.A family is at home when they receive a visit from a friend in the military. The man came by to personally inform them that their son was killed in Vietnam. However, the mother insists that a mistake has been made and she spends the night praying for her son's return--and she get's her wish. But, like the Garth Brooks son "Unanswered Prayers", the family ultimately realizes that sometimes it's best when you DON'T get what you want. Why? Because the young man is undead and has a frightful habit of killing people and taking their blood! And, he even kills the family's poor doggy just because that's the sort of thing zombie-vampires do! As I said, this is not a fancy schmancy film but a horror film. Campy, silly but fun. The film won't change your life, but you also won't be disappointed if you are looking for a good chill! Well worth seeing.By the way, you may recognize the father but aren't sure where you saw him. That's John Marley--the guy who was the recipient of a horse's head in "The Godfather".