Devil Times Five (1974) (DVD REVIEW)
Directed By: Sean MacGregor
STARRING: Leif Garrett, Sorrell Booke, Gene Evans
RATED: UR/REGION: 1/Full Screen/NUMBER OF DISCS: 1 (DVD-r)
AVAILABLE FROM Alpha Video
A group of psychotic children (including future teen idol Leif Garrett) escape from their transport bus and terrorize the countryside. Part of the Alpha Video “Retrograde” collection featuring retro cover art.
Devil Times Five, directed by Sean MacGregor, is an intriguing yet frustrating delve into the horror genre. While it boasts a unique premise and a talented cast, the film ultimately falls short in several key areas, leaving audiences with a mixed bag of emotions.One glaring strength of Devil Times Five lies within its plot and themes. The film centers around five disturbed children, survivors of a bus crash, who possess a chilling ability to transform innocence into sheer malevolence. The exploration of innocence corrupted and the blurred lines between good and evil spark thought-provoking questions about the nature of humanity. However, the execution of these deep themes feels lacking, as the film often resorts to predictable horror tropes and fails to capitalize on its potential for psychological depth.
While there are occasional moments of impressive practical effects and makeup, the special effects overall fall short of today’s standards. The editing is jarring at times, making it difficult to fully appreciate the scary sequences that should have been the film’s highlights. The dialogue also suffers from inconsistencies, shifting between intriguing and downright cheesy. Despite its shortcomings, Devil Times Five evokes a lingering sense of discomfort and unease. The disconcerting transformation of innocence into malice, coupled with the eerie performances from the child actors, leaves a lasting impression on audiences. However, the film’s failure to fully explore its profound themes and inconsistent execution prevent it from reaching its true potential.
