I liked this far more than I imagined I would. The cast performances are variable and I would imagine that more time and effort was put in getting all those vintage cars together than with the actors. But never mind there is enough good story telling and wonderful cinematography to get us by. Wasn't sure I was going to be happy with the narration but it was okay and seemed quite quaint alongside the moments of gory violence. I've no idea why this wasn't more sex and violence orientated, I think it would have helped, but maybe it was the notion that a serious real crime story was being told that caused the makers to veer somewhat away from exploitation. Even though, in the end, that is what this is. Sequences with the 'phantom' in his inspired mask are immensely effective. It is well designed and the breathing drawing in the material most creepy. He moves well too, always aware of the impression his lumbering is going to have - both on the victims and us, the viewer. And talking of the look, what about those Arkansas landscapes - a real surprise and very helpful in maintaining the sinister atmosphere. There are very many good shots, especially towards the end but I especially recall a moonlight sugar cane plantation that was quite sensational.

Texarkana, 1946 a year that changed it forever. Things were going fine. Soldiers coming back from the war, work is booming, going to college,production is happening there. Texarkana was being like any other small American town. But all of a sudden, things get scary. When the sun goes down. When young people go out to lovers' lane, it ends up being a nightmare. A man in a white hood, terrorizes young lovers. The first victims survive the heinous attacks. But there were others who weren't so fortunate. This acts prompts the local law enforcement to build up the security of the town. Making the citizens very vigilant. The individual is known as "The Phantom" wreaked havoc. No one knows the true identity of him. Many have claimed to be "The Phantom", but they all seem to want the attention for their confessions. So what has become of "The Phantom"? He was shot. Some say that he was doing time. Others claims that the swamps have claimed him. Whatever happened back then, I hope he's gone for good. This is a movie that can be used for crime history. Because it's based on actual events, one much learn. Highly recommended. 4 out of 5 stars.

This movie was incredibly bad. It was literally an insufferably amateurish attempt at lurid, psycho-sexploitation cinema. For 1976, it was so anachronistic that it had the feel of a 50s B-movie. It featured Ben Johnson in a wooden role and the character of a local bumbling deputy, who was supposed to be comic relief, but his buffoonery was inserted so awkwardly that it simply added more pitiful misery to the town's overall effort. A truly horrible film...yet somehow, like a train wreck, I couldn't seem to stop watching as I prepared for the next ridiculous encounter with an inept, helpless screaming prom queen. Afterthought: where were all the guns? Texarkana...and no one had a gun until 4/5ths of the film was done?

Ultra-Low-Budget-Drive-In-Movie that has Gained a Huge Cult Following. It has Now Been Recognized as Being Influential to the Slasher Genre and a Solid Addition and Early Entry to Films About Serial Killers.Obscure Director Pierce Known Also for The Legend of Boggy Creek (another Cult Fave) from 1972, Shows Signs of Talent and Embryonic Abilities. Here a Brutal Killer is Presented Without Much Restraint and Seems to be a Forerunner of "Slasher Movie" Type Detachment.The Director Doesn't Shy Away from Gore and Splatter and there are a Few Scenes that are Quite Unsettling. The Movie has Taken Many Slings and Arrows about its Decision to Incorporate Comedy Relief and in Retrospect it was a Mistake and Holds the Film Back from Greatness. Ben Johnson does His "Melvin Purvis" (Dillinger 1972) Bit, even Stopping to Buy Some Cigars, and is OK and Adds a Bit of Class. Andrew Pine as a Deputy is Solemn and Welcome. But Again, Director Pierce's On Screen Appearance as Spark Plug is Universally Acknowledged as a Big Error in a Film that Doesn't Have Many. The Docu-Style Adds Creepiness and Works Fine. The Film has Gained in Reputation Fast Because it is Finally Available in Pristine Prints on Blu-ray and Seeing it as Originally Presented Only Enhances the Experience and Brings an Appreciation for a Forgotten Film that has Lingered in the Memory of Drive-In and Grind-House Patrons and those that Only Know it by Word of Mouth or Awful Video Releases & Bootlegs.