| The Wild Man of the Navidad | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Duane Graves and Justin Meeks |
| Produced by | Kim Henkel Justin Meeks Duane Graves |
| Written by | Duane Graves and Justin Meeks |
| Starring | Justin Meeks Alex Garcia Tony Wolford Charlie Hurtin Bob Wood Edmond Geyer Mac McBride James Bargsley Stacy Meeks Patrick Hewlett |
| Music by | James McCrea James Brand Charlie Hurtin Marshall Jones David Turnbow Ben Buchanan Kevin Heuer Karl Rehn |
| Cinematography | Duane Graves |
| Editing by | Duane Graves and Justin Meeks |
| Distributed by | IFC Films (North America) |
| Release date(s) | February 11, 2009 (lFC Films Festival Direct) August 11, 2009 (USA DVD release) |
| Running time | 86 mins. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Wild Man of the Navidad is a 2008 horror film picked up by IFC Films shortly after its world premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. [1][2]
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This movie is allegedly based on the real-life journals of Dale S. Rogers, a man who, in the 1970s, lived along the banks of the Navidad River in Sublime, Texas - the same area where the original legend of the Wild Man of the Navidad surfaced back in the late 1800s.[3][4] The film follows Dale, his wheelchair-using wife Jean, and her oft-shirtless, lazy-eyed caretaker Mario. Though their ranch sits on vast acres prime for paying hunters, Dale has resisted opening up the land because of the strange, Bigfoot-like creatures supposedly inhabiting it. But after the prodding of some of the rifle-loving townsfolk and the loss of his welding job, Dale gives in and opens the gate to his compound. Then the hunters become the hunted.[5]
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Justin Meeks | Dale S. Rogers |
| Alex Garcia | Mario Jalisco |
| Tony Wolford | The Wild Man |
| Stacy Meeks | Jean Rogers |
| Bob Wood | Earl Smith |
| Edmond Geyer | Sheriff Lyle Pierce |
| Mac McBride | Boss Man Jack |
| Charlie Hurtin | Karl Crabtree |
| Patrick Hewlett | Vern Findlay |
| James Bargsley | Melvin Pennell |
The film was co-produced by Kim Henkel, co-writer of the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre with Tobe Hooper in 1974 and was written, directed and edited by two of Mr. Henkel's screenwriting/production students, Justin Meeks and Duane Graves.[6]
Popular movie news site Ain't It Cool News described it as "about as perfect a Bigfoot film I’ve seen so far."[7] Notable horror film critic Scott Foy of Dread Central describes the movie as "a creepy, southern-fried creature feature."[8] IFC Films' Alison Willmore states that it is "a welcome palate cleanser" for the horror genre.[9] Notable film critic Scott Weinberg of Cinematical calls it "enthusiastically splattery...a rather spirited little terror tale...that actually feels like it has been hidden in a vault."[10] Daily Variety critic John Anderson writes "cult status is already achieved...Wild Man mixes homage with horror for a pretty potent dose of movie moonshine."[11] Merle Bertrand of Film Threat relates it as "wonderfully retro...it's time to go back to the drive-in."[12]
The film is a throwback to drive-in Sasquatch classics of the 1970s like The Legend of Boggy Creek, and is known for its recreation of their specific vintage style, pacing and feel—from the real-life characters down to the period production design and music. [13]