40 Years Anniversay Review Of Children Of The Corn

I may have said this in the past but there is something very unique about the horror films of the 80´s. There are so many great titles and releases during this time period that if you would compare a lot of films back then to todays horror releases i guarantee a lot of modern horror films would fall flat compared to horror films of the 80´s. Back in those days they were much more creative, they could construct horror films in a completely different way and especially make iconic horror characters that people still love even today in a modern society. Just the fact that they couldn´t use CGI effects back then also forced them to use different techniques such as practical make up effects, different camera angles and sound effects to capture the right atmosphere for the horror film they were making. I actually miss a lot of this in modern horror films so i have a big love for horror films of the 80´s for making my childhood unique. I have told this story before but my very first horror film i watched in 1986 was A Nightmare On Elm Street 2 thanks to my grandmother Maj. She was the one who introduced me to horror films with Freddy Krueger and for that i am forever grateful. Since then i have pretty much seen all the horror classics of the 80´s ( i have not seen Nomads from 1986 with Pierce Brosnan i can admit that, but i promise it´s on my watch list ), at least if we are talking about 80´s horror films that are considered to be classics. So let us travel back to a specific year in 1984 when i was 7 years old at that time. In the year of 1984 a film adaptation was made by a short story written by horror author Stephen King and that short story was called Children Of The Corn. Directed by Fritz Kiersch this film started a really big horror franchise where basically children kill people out in the countryside among cornfields and small towns. Interesting concept for a horror film and i have seen the original film several times as well as the sequels. Since the film turned 40 years old this year i thought it would be interesting to revisit the film with a review. Is this still a solid horror film 40 years later or have Children Of The Corn aged more than i expected and lost it´s charm along the way?

In the small town of Gatlin, Nebraska, the town is run by cult leader Isaac ( John Franklin ) who have managed to recruit children all across town to kill all adults. Happily couple Burt ( Peter Horton ) and Vicky ( Linda Hamilton ) drive across Nebraska on their way to Seattle. While passing by a cornfield they manage to drive over a child who suddenly show up on the highway. Not knowing what to do they try to figure out a solution while Burt notice that the child´s throat was cut before the accident. While searching for help, the couple finds Diehl ( R.G. Armstrong ), an elderly mechanic and the last adult of Gatlin. He refuses them service, as he has agreed to supply the children with fuel in exchange for his life. Isaac´s helper Malachai ( Courtney Gains ) breaks the pact and murder Diehl after he tries to steer the couple away from Gatlin. Burt and Vicky are about to find out how bad the situation really is and have no other option than try to find a way out.

What i feel makes Children Of The Corn a true 80´s classic is the children in this film. It is not everyday you see a horror film where the children actually feel really creepy and in this film they manage to capture that feeling with some of the most terrifying children characters i have ever seen. Especially two of the characters and i will get to them later in this review. But let´s specifically talk about what makes this film unique when it comes to horror films in a smaller town. It is not very often where you see a film where children have taken over a whole town. They control the adults and run the whole town, and if any adult that have survived so far doesn´t do what they say they will be sacrificed. Just the thought of that mentality is really insane and clearly shows a pattern that reminds of something similar as an extreme religious cult, except here it is full of children. I personally feel that the religious cult pattern does matter in this film since it helps the horror elements become more effective. Sure, i can admit some of the special effects towards the end in the cornfield looks cheesy, i can accept it though since i know this film wasn´t made on a big budget. Now we have to talk about especially two characters that i feel really make this film work and let us begin with the children´s cult leader Isaac played by actor John Franklin. The powerful impact he makes in certain scenes can not be denied and i believe he is one of the reasons why this franchise have survived through his strong character. We also have to mention actor Courtney Gains as the killer Malachai, another character that really bring something special into this film with his brutality and have no mercy for anyone. Of course we have legendary actress Linda Hamilton here from The Terminator franchise, she´s completely fine from an acting perspective but i actually think the children in this film is the real power of the original film Children Of The Corn. As a horror film i feel that this film still holds up all these years especially thanks to the sickening behavior of the religious cult and the cornfield add some unforgettable scenes that still works even today. It is not one of the greatest classics based on a Stephen King short story but i feel this film still manage to find it´s rightful place within the 80´s horror classics. Director Fritz Kiersch have made a simple horror film and still manage to find the right tone to make it work in a small town out in nowhere. Children Of The Corn may teach us a lesson, never underestimate people in a small town or you might have your throat cut open. That actually sounds lovely indeed i might have to visit the town of Gatlin after all.

Rating: DDD