An astonishing early film by director Andrew Repasky McElhinney, who was only 22 at the time of release. The look and style of the film hint at 70s European cinema, classical Hollywood and even the great Edgar G. Ullmer, although ACoC stands firmly on its own. No, it isn't a fast-paced slasher, nor is it "boring" as a few other reviews have suggested. With a lean 83 minutes of running time, the pacing of individual scenes is slower than "average" but with good reason. The story concerns the slow death of a once thriving plantation, ushered along by a creepy bald-headed, hammer-wielding maniac. It's pretty interesting if you actually pay attention! The cinematography, blocking, set design and (newly restored) soundtrack are all very impressive, especially when you consider the film was made on a small budget. Drawing from diverse influences across the history of film (and literature), ACoC is the odd independent production that still holds up 20 years later.
Review of A Chronicle of Corpses
