The Evictors (1979)

American film maker Charles B. Pierce is quite the auteur, with his involvement including credits for acting, cinematography, set decoration, producing, screenwriting, and directing. All this was done outside of the Hollywood studio system and many credit him as being one of the first modern independent filmmakers. His career spanned just over twenty five years, during which he directed thirteen films with The Legend of Boggy Creek (1973) and The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976) being two of his most widely viewed titles.

Highlighted here is an often over looked film from Pierce, 1979s The Evictors. Much like his earlier film The Town That Dreaded Sundown, The Evictors tells a horror/crime tale in an almost documentary, "matter-of-fact" style and also pays great attention to period details from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s.

In The Evictors, a rural house with a violent, but initially hidden past is purchased during World War II by a couple (Michael Parks and Jessica Harper) from the possibly shadier then he seems realtor (Vic Morrow). Things take a decidedly sinister turn as a creepy note is left in the newcomers mailbox and soon after an intruder begins menacing them.

the trailer

the feature