The Manitou (1978)

Review by All Movie Guide
This 1978 adaptation of a popular Graham Masterson novel is one of the most genuinely bizarre films to emerge from the late-'70s horror boom. Sadly, it is also one of the most unintentionally humorous and dull films from that era. The Manitou's out-there plot line boasts plenty of set pieces yet the film never manages to gel into a memorable thrill ride. The main reason for this is the script, which wastes a lot of time on talky dialogue about metaphysics and the occult at the expense of the film's pacing. The film also suffers from William Girdler's weak direction, which lacks the style and inventiveness to create the surreal atmosphere that such an unusual story requires. As a result, The Manitou comes off as laughable when it should be creepy. Despite these major flaws, the film benefits from a professional cast that wisely plays the unusual material with straight faces and some impressive special effects (a scene where the spirit of a medicine man emerges from a table is particularly effective). The Manitou also features an unforgettably strange ending where Indian spirits duel with laser beams in a scene that can only be described as The Exorcist meets Star Wars. Unfortunately, inspired moments like these are the exception to the norm in The Manitou and it can only be recommended to fans of low-budget weirdness. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide