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Cast: Jamie Bernadette, Jordan Trovillion, Alora Catherine Smith
A documentary film crew arrives at Elder Island to investigate the legend of a reverend who returns from the dead to seek vengeance on the descendants of those who murdered him over 150 years ago. They find that some legends are more real and dangerous than they believed.
Based on the true events revolving around Beaver Island, Michigan, and King James Strang... Elder Island. 1856. Peter Wiggentstein turned to the men of the five island families around him and warned, "Tell nothing of this," as the men all looked at the body of their former Reverend - gunned down just outside his own home - and a decision was made. They secretly buried the body on Graves Island, and the reign of America's first and only king ended; but for every end, there is always a new beginning, for an evil was born that night. Five families have always controlled the Island. Five families share the Island's fortune; five families share its curse.
Going into "Elder Island" I was expecting a slasher film with lots of blood and gore and not much more but what I got was just the opposite which I was pleasantly surprised by. Now don't get me wrong there are some killings in the film, in fact the film starts off with the reverend taking out a unsuspecting couple in the woods and it does contain little bit of gore but Director, Darrin James and his writing partner, Fabricio Cerioni decided to focus more on the story and the characters within the story and it really paid off.
This is a well-written story about a Documentary film crew that consists of husband and wife team, Ned and Stacy and their sound lady April. The team is called in to investigate the story of a reverend who was killed more than a 150 years ago but returned to seek vengeance against the families of those that killed him. Right from the bat you can tell the little town has a lot of secrets that they intend on keeping from the crew. But when the crew finds the body of the professor that invited them to the island things go from bad to worse quickly. They realize that the townsfolk might be just as dangerous as the legend they are trying to keep a secret.
One of the first things I noticed about the film was how well it looked. The cinematography is beautiful and the sound is just as impressive. Like I said before there is not much gore but the practical effects that are used are done very well.
And maybe the most impressive thing about the film was the acting. Led by the extremely talented, Jamie Bernadette who plays Stacy. Jamie again shows her acting chops as one part of the documentary team. But she is not alone because Nate Scholz and Erica Overholt are terrific as well as Ned and April. The rest of the supporting case was also fantastic in the film. No actor was wasted and they all brought the film up another level.
"Elder Island" may not be for everyone simply because it focuses more on the story than just the gore but with a film this well directed and written you can't go wrong. The film keeps you interested all the way through with well-developed characters you actually care about and a story that tosses in a few twists along the way that keeps you engaged and entertained all the way to it's very satisfying ending. 'Elder Island' will be Available on VOD on February 7th, 2017 so if you are looking for something good to watch be sure to check it out.
Released by Midnight Releasing
*** 3/4 Out Of *****