Terror in the Desert

For over half a century, Desert Terror films have been scaring audiences all over the world. Distinguished by their atmospheric Southwestern locations and shocking subject matter, these idiosyncratic efforts combine elements from the Horror, Film Noir, and Road Movie genres to tell uniquely American stories of isolation and violence. Ranging from cult exploitation (The Hills Have Eyes, The Hitcher) and crowd-pleasing franchises (Tremors, From Dusk Till Dawn) to quirky auteurist fare (Natural Born Killers, Lost Highway), these diverse and troubling works have so far eluded both proper classification and subsequent critical or cultural analysis. For the first time, the hundreds of Desert Terror films that have been released over the years are united in one volume, from the low budget thriller The Sadist to recent releases like Bone Tomahawk and Nocturnal Animals. The story of this controversial genre's origins, birth and development is told both chronologically and thematically, with emphasis on the pioneering filmmakers and bizarre production stories behind these films. Over 100 rare stills and promotional materials accompany this one of a kind trip to the outer reaches of cinematic craziness.