The Children (1980)

[kybearfuzz]

One of the killer children of The Children (1980)
I had a great day at the Cincinnati Pride Parade, but I'll have to resize the pics before posting. After the parade, I came home to do laundry for my upcoming work trip and watched a DVD I finally recevied, The Children, a horror movie from 1980.

The movie deals with a quintet of children who turn into atomic zombies with black fingernails after their school bus drives through a fog emitted from the local nuclear plant. When the children embrace a person, the person literally burns up from the inside out with a nice cheap yellow mist effect. As most of the town believe the children are simply lost, any unsuspecting person comes running to them with arms wide open when they see one of the missing kids, resulting in a screaming burning sensation that kills.

The movie is very cheaply made, but very well done in my opinion. It's very creepy. One of the best parts of the movie is the music, which was done by Harry Manfredini, who did the music for the Friday the 13th films. As with most horror movies at the time, there was one set of naked 1980's hooters and of course this 70's muscled porn star clone below, who had three lines, two of which were uttered while lifting weights for no apparent reason. I love these kinds of movies.


I first saw this movie as a teenager, shown on Commander USA's Groovy Movies on Saturdays. I highly recommend the movie, obviously. I've had a devil of a time getting this DVD. I ordered it from two different vendors on Amazon Marketplace, the first claimed the post office lost it and sent me a refund, the second sent me a refund after the post office damaged the used DVD. Finally, I was able to order it directly from Troma. It's taken me almost two months with the multiple orders to get it.

Comments

[pariahcub.livejournal.com]

I actually remember this film when it came out, but never got the chance to see it. Will definitely have to locate it now thanks to your review. ;)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

It's available on Netflix if you don't want to have to buy it. I had it in my queue for some time while seeing if I could buy the DVD somewhere.

[book-of-daniel.livejournal.com]

I have nothing constructive to say. I just wanted to use my zombie icon since I rarely find an appropriate forum in which to highlight it...

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Heh! I have icons like that, always waiting the wings for an appropriate use! :)

[boobooboy.livejournal.com]

Sounds like an interesting movie. I was watching a lot of movies during that time and don't remember that one. Thanks for the info.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I was all of seven when it came out and I don't remember it playing in town. I love the horror movies from the 1970's and 1980's, relying on cheap effects and good atmosphere to keep things nice and creepy :)

[blackwingbear.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that film!! I had it on VHS years ago through MIDNIGHT VIDEO!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

There are some interviews with the creators and actors on the DVD that are fun to watch. I was happy to see it finally on DVD.

[blackwingbear.livejournal.com]

Any chance you happen to remember INVASION OF THE BLOOD FARMERS?

[cincy-dave.livejournal.com]

I actually remember seeing it in the theaters. (I'm old)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm envious! I would love to have seen this on the big screen. The creator of the movie said that when it first came out, it played in a drive-in and that cars were lined up for six miles trying to get into the movie. The word of mouth really carried this flick. I'm surprised it didn't have the staying power of "Friday the 13th" which used the same production crew.

[cincy-dave.livejournal.com]

Actually, now that you say that, I think it was a drive-in that we saw it in.

We used to go to the drive-in all the time in high school.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Ah, those were the days. The only movie I ever saw at the drive-in was Smokey and the Bandit and I fell asleep in the back of the car. My folks were in the front and we kids were up past our bedtime. :)

Drive-in's are dying out, which is very sad as they are very cool.

[coachbear.livejournal.com]

oooooooooohh that's interesting
sounds very cool
might have to track it down myself...

[djmadadam.livejournal.com]

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... those are great!!!! :)