Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Michael Allen
Writer: Rick Wood.
Cast: Elizabeth Brown, Lisa Cameron, Lindsay Cromar, Shian Denovan, Samuel Feeney and David Hayman.
Sawney: Flesh of Man was shot as an indie production in the United Kingdom. This film takes some of its mythology from a 15th Century legend, Sawney Bean. This cannibal, allegedly, stalked and killed over a thousand travellers in the Highlands of Scotland, with his ravenous family. Eventually, the family members were captured and executed. But, Rick Wood's script brings Sawney back from the dead, to haunt young lads and lasses. This film is excellently shot by Ricky Wood and the diverse characters add to the already moody scenery.
The story is fairly straight forward. A detective is trying to catch a serial killer, who is chopping up local women. The bodies are only partially discovered (the rest has been eaten). Det. Munro (Gavin Mitchell) enlists the aid of a local journo', Hamish (Samuel Feeney), to help him catch the killer. Events heat up when Hamish's object of affection is captured and soon to be dined on. Though, Sawney, the murderer, is not an easy man to find.
The visual landscape in which the film is set is one great film element. The Scottish Highlands offer misty woods and dark scenery, in which a victim tries to escape her captors. Blood reds soon cover the natural greens. As well, there are several scenes which use caves and underground tunnels. These settings are equally unsettling and the shadows in these environments create for some of the film's tension. The settings are one of the many highlights of the film.
There are also a number of strange villains in this feature. More horror films need to utilize midgets/little people in their stories. Sawney: Flesh of Man hosts one diabolical midget, scythe in hand. This character is upstaged by actor David Hayman as Sawney. Sawney is the head of his cannibalistic household and he delights in the torture, rape and dismemberment of his prey. Sawney steals the show. Also, the film incorporates some of Sawney's brethren, including two Parkour apt, mutant sons. These two disfigured characters are mute, but they add something to action elements. Of course, mother is waiting for the climax of the film. All of these characters create for a Freakshow like attraction and all of these antagonists overshadow a much weaker protagonist.
This film fan truly enjoyed this horror title and there seems to be enough material here for a prequel. After all, this version is set in present day. A prequel would help flesh out the character of Sawney, in his heyday. The character of Sawney is already legendary and it would be interesting to see this character brought to life 500 years in the past, when almost every road traveller feared being captured and eaten.
Sawney: Flesh of Man is a suitably mature horror feature. There is plenty of gore here and several challenging scenes. This film takes some of its influence from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series of films, especially in the ending. This indie horror title has been released in the United Kingdom and most horror fans would be intrigued by the Wood family's take on this evil character.
Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (a weak protagonist, lots of makeup effects, mature scenes involving murder and rape).
*previously titled Lord of Darkness.
A trailer for this feature is available here:
Sawney: Flesh of Man Official Trailer
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Posted in: 2013,cannibal,cannibalism,movie review,murder,s story,serial killer,serial killer movie review,united kingdom
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