Four youngsters go camping. But there’s someone or something bumping people off.

As you’ve probably guessed, we’re in slasher territory here. Don’t Go In The Woods earned particular notoriety during the Video Nasties moral panic.

Would this film be so horrific and depraved that it could turn viewers into mindless killers?! Of course not. This is another example of a horror movie unjustly targeted by Mary Whitehouse and her cronies. In fact, when the film was finally released in 2007, it was passed uncut by the BBFC and didn’t even get an 18 certificate but a 15 instead! It’s almost as if it wasn’t one of the most disgusting films ever made after all…

All of the slasher movie ingredients are here- the very cheap and very sleazy analogue synth score, the erm, overripe acting (the over reactions in some scenes reminded me of early John Waters which is a beautiful thing), the fact that all of the dialogue was obviously overdubbed in a recording studio after shooting wrapped, the irittating characters…the list goes on.

But these are the slasher components that I expect. The cinematography is beautiful (although it’s almost impossible to shoot such impressive locales without it looking great) and the print I saw was pristine, thanks to Vinegar Syndrome and a million miles from watching a VHS copy in 1982.

The killer reminds me of a fatter, younger version of Papa Jupe from The Hills Have Eyes. In fact, various elements of Wes Craven’s masterpiece are interwoven into the plot here. There are also strong references to Last House on the Left and Friday the 13th Part 2, which was released the same year. I love it when killers have homes and characters venture into these abodes. You get to see the killer’s choice of interior decor, which I find very interesting indeed. In this case, The Maniac (as he’s billed in the end credits) likes to use souvenirs from his previous victims as part of his interior design. Stylish and functional.

The kills are fantastic and whilst bloody (most of the budget went on bright red paint), they’re also quite restrained. There’s a kill that’s also reminiscent of Friday the 13th Part 2 in that someone in a wheelchair is bumped off. Un-PC and a stark reminder that psychopaths don’t discriminate.

Does everything about Don’t Go In The Woods make sense? No, it doesn’t have to. It’s a messed-up piece of early 80s horror that perfectly encapsulates the kind of high art that played in Times Square cinemas, drive-ins and eventually landed in UK video shops before it was banned.

Sleazy, fun and thoroughly entertaining. I will always love early 80s horror.

4 out of 5 stars