Enjoy the Show! _______________________ I Believe all media should be enjoyed ______________________ So here is a classic! _______________________ Title: Curse of Demon Mountain Also Known As: The Shadow of Chikara Year: 1977 Director: Earl E. Smith Production Company: Vista Entertainment Group Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Western Runtime: Approx. 94 minutes Language: English Country: United States Color/B&W: Color Sound: Mono Status: Public Domain (in some releases) Cast: Joe Don Baker as Wishbone Cutter Sondra Locke as Drusilla Wilcox Ted Neeley as Amos Richmond Joy N. Houck Jr. as Virgil Cane Slim Pickens as Supt. Haney Dennis Fimple as Billy James L. Tigue III as Carter Don Henley as Benjy Wes Bishop as Lt. Charles Morris Plot Summary: Set shortly after the American Civil War, Curse of Demon Mountain follows ex-Confederate officer Wishbone Cutter and his ragtag group of companions as they search for a hidden cache of Confederate diamonds rumored to be buried in the cursed mountains of Arkansas. Guided by a mysterious map and stories of the diamonds' mystical protection, they venture deep into native territory. The further they travel, the more they are plagued by eerie visions, unexplained deaths, and relentless paranoia. Local Native American legend warns of a vengeful spirit called Chikara that guards the mountain, and soon the expedition turns into a nightmare as members of the group fall victim to supernatural forces. As greed overtakes reason and the group fractures, Wishbone must decide if the fortune is worth the wrath of an ancient, malevolent power. Themes: Greed and Consequences: The film explores how greed corrupts and dooms the group, echoing classic treasure-hunt morality tales. Cultural Clash: It touches on Native American spiritual beliefs clashing with the ambitions of post-war treasure hunters. Survival Horror in a Western Setting: One of the few genre hybrids that blends frontier exploration with supernatural horror. Isolation and Descent into Madness: The remote mountain setting enhances psychological fear and mounting distrust among the characters. Production Notes: Filmed on location in the rugged Ozark Mountains, enhancing its remote and foreboding atmosphere. Sondra Locke was dating Clint Eastwood at the time and starred in multiple films with him. Her appearance here adds prestige to an otherwise modest horror-western. Slim Pickens appears in a small but memorable role, adding a touch of authenticity to the Western feel. Don Henley (later of The Eagles) had a small role early in his career. Trivia: Alternate Title: The film was originally released as The Shadow of Chikara but was retitled Curse of Demon Mountain for home video and television markets to attract horror audiences. Genre Blending: It is one of the rare films to mix supernatural horror with the Western genre, placing it in a unique niche. Cult Status: Gained traction in the VHS era due to its eerie tone and star cast, and became a frequent inclusion in public domain horror box sets. Public Domain Confusion: Rights issues and inconsistent distribution led to several prints falling into public domain status, making the movie widely available in low-cost collections. Location Authenticity: The use of real mountain terrain and natural caves lends a claustrophobic and haunting quality to the exploration scenes. Reception and Legacy: At the time of release, reviews were mixed. Critics appreciated the atmosphere but found the pacing uneven. The film has since become a minor cult classic among fans of offbeat horror-westerns. It’s notable for its ambition and genre crossover, and is often recommended for fans of slow-burn, supernatural thrillers with rustic settings. _______________________ Thank you for watching — feel free to like, comment, and subscribe for more classic movies and other content that might be of interest. _______________________ #PublicDomain #PublicDomainMovies #ClassicMovies #FreeMovies #VintageMovies #RetroCinema #OldMovies #FullMovie #MovieNight #FreeToWatch #ClassicCinema #MovieLovers #CinemaHistory #FilmHistory #TimelessMovies #MustWatch #OldSchoolCinema #CultClassic #HiddenGems #NowPlaying #GoldenAgeOfCinema #MoviesOnline #WatchFree #ClassicHollywood #RetroMovies #PublicDomainFilm #FreeFilm #ClassicEntertainment #WatchNow #StreamingFree #MovieArchive #HistoricCinema #LegendaryMovies #FilmBuff #MovieBuff #IndependentCinema #ClassicAdventure #VintageFilm #OldSchoolMovies #ReliveTheClassics #PublicDomainCinema #TimelessClassics #CinematicTreasures #GoldenOldies #MovieClassics #RetroFilm #ClassicScreen #OldMovieNight #CinemaLovers