recommended

For having a relatively low budget, the film's style and overall art direction are immensely impressive.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

The same guy who cracks us up as Frank Drebben in the Police Squad movies and as agent WD-40(Spy Hard) and kindly old Mr Magoo was so cruel, mean and depraved in this movie that for a few years he had a bit of trouble shaking that image. The depth of his evilness makes you hate his guts... Of course this was supposed to be a vehicle for pretty boy James Franciscus, but the whole world remembered Sheriff Verne Drover. He was as despicable an any villain of today.....and this was in the 60's.....before many TV cinematographers dared reach inside viewers guts to this degree. If you have the chance - watch it. If you can tape it, email me....I'll buy a copy.

Don Ameche wants to protect the secret of his perfect community, but James Franciscus won't stop digging. Some hard-edged dialogue punctuates the moody town-with-a-secret tale. Ultimately, an obvious plot hole and a too-rapidly-falling-into-place conclusion betrays its TV-movie roots, but still an intriguing time-passer.

What a scary man that Sheriff Drover was! He kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I wish videos had been available when it was on TV last. To a British teenager in the late 60s/early 70s this TV movie was class ... Lee

Yes I know it's not a horror film! but when I first saw this film, aged around 15 it was a much gentler age, and people didn't do the sort of things that happened in this film, not in rural England anyway, I'd love to see it again now! just to see if it has the same kind of impact on me. if anyone knows where I can get a copy, please let me know. Brian