Such a frustrating disappointment

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Persecuted working class misfit hillbilly Jennifer Baylor (a fine and sympathetic performance by stunning redhead Lisa Pelikan) uses her special psychic power over snakes to exact a harsh revenge on her more affluent cruel and snobby tormentors at the prestigious Green View School for Girls. Director Brice Mack relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, grounds the fantastic premise in a believable everyday reality, and puts a welcome and refreshing emphasis on creepy mood and well-drawn characters over cheap scares and graphic gore. Kay Cousin Johnson's astute script neatly captures the fierce delineation separating the haves from the have nots at the elite academy, with plenty of especially stinging social commentary on how the rich use their wealth and status to engage in all kinds of gross and amoral behavior without worrying about the potentially toxic repercussions of said foul conduct. The excellent cast of reliable character players rates as another significant asset: Jeff Corey as Jennifer's kooky religious fanatic dad Luke, Bert Convy as nice guy professor Jeff Reed, Nina Foch as haughty head mistress Mrs. Calley, and John Gavin as the corrupt Senator Tremayne. Moreover, Amy Johnston delivers a splendidly bitchy and chilling portrayal of mean, spoiled, and manipulative psychopathic ringleader Sandra Tremayne, Louise Haven contributes a heartbreaking turn as awkward fat girl Jane Delano, Ray Underwood cuts a suitably hateful figure as evil jock Dayton Powell, and Wesley Eure does well as hip dude Pit Lassiter. Irv Goodnoff's bright cinematography gives this picture an attractive sparkling look. The central plot enjoyably exploits both "Carrie" and the hugely popular revolt-of-nature theme that was a big hot trend in 70's horror fare. A cool little fright flick.

Jennifer is a recluse at an all girl's boarding school. Unlike her fellow peers, she is from a poor farming family and because of that and her smarts, she is humiliated over and over again. When her life is threatened, she taps into an old power she once had, the power to conjure up the serpents (a few of them larger then Godzilla) to ensure her survival.A lot of reviews have been calling Jennifer a Carrie clone, however the movie goes in its own direction. Jennifer is a lot more outgoing then Carrie, who practically was a mute. When Sandra, the queen bee, accuses her of providing the answers to a test, she blatantly denies it. The parental figure of both Carrie and Jennifer are both religious zealots in their own way. Carrie's mother is more violent, while Jennifer's father goes on drunken rants.For a 1978 film I think the pacing was good up until the climax which was a mere seven minutes long. With a low budget and technical limitations, we were given hand puppets with missing eyes versus actual demonic looking snakes. The musical score hit the beat, and the cinematography was decent. This story definitely deserves a remake, in my opinion.I give it an eight out of ten, because the acting and plot were in order.The Bannachecker - Horror Encyclopdia

Jennifer is a poor and hard-working student and she possesses a power over snakes,an ability to control them and communicate with them.Her father Luke is a mentally unstable religious nut.The worst of all some wealthy students led by cruel Sandra constantly harass Jennifer at school.Sandra turns many other students and teachers against Jennifer including the school's headmistress.Eventually Jennifer gets revenge on her cruel classmates with the help of her snakes.Vastly enjoyable and fun to watch "Carrie" clone with likable main character.There is no gore,but if you like your horror cheesy and entertaining you can't go wrong with "Jennifer".I'd love to have a date with such a pretty girl.7 out of 10.

Forget all comparisons to Carrie and enjoy this movie for what it was meant to be - a simple and entertaining departure, in the guise of a brief morality play, without the usual strain toward art and artifice. Enjoy the absurdity of the quality of the 'special effects'. Does a giant snake have to "look real" ? There's no need for literalism when you have an imagination. Lisa Pelikan is emphatic in the lead role, and Bert Convy is adequate in his supporting role ( I LOVE THE 70's ! ! ! ), but pay attention to Louise Hoven as Jane Delano. She is the heart and soul of the movie because she is any one of us. We make mistakes while trying to fit in with the 'in' crowd. We are used for our resources, are victimized, and then, finally, lash back at our abusers. I can't see this movie enough. And, if schmaltz is your pleasure, you'll love the intro and exit songs.