Pumpkinhead 1988
The feature for today is an atmospheric cult classic from makeup effects wizard Stan Winston in his first directorial effort, the inimitable Pumpkinhead. Although the movie doesn’t take place at Halloween, it always reminded me of that time of year with the spooky pumpkin patch that Pumpkinhead comes from to the creepy witch who summons the demon of vengeance. Let us not forget the classic performance by the always venerable Lance Henriksen in the lead.
The creature was designed by Tom Woodruff Jr. and Winston’s Studio. The Pumpkinhead creature has become one of the most popular monsters designed in the last 30 years.
Pumpkinhead is based on a poem by Ed Justin and written by Mark Patrick Carducci, Stan Winston, Richard Weinman and Gary Gerani. Stan Winston directs. The film stars Lance Henriksen, Jeff East, John D’Aquino, Kimberly Ross, Joel Hoffman, Cynthia Bain and George ‘Buck’ Flower.
Plot Synopsis
A group of city kids go into the country to relax. While there, one of them is involved in a biking accident that takes the life of the son of the local storekeeper. In a fit of rage, the storekeeper has a witch unleash an unstoppable demon called “Pumpkinhead” to kill the group. When he realizes he’s gone too far, the storekeeper attempts to save the kids, but is continually afflicted by visions of peoples’ deaths through the eyes of the monster.
Watch the trailer here,
