DVD Review: Masters of Horror: John Landis - Deer Woman

By Jeff Swindoll Jun 28, 2006, 13:29 GMT

Detective Dwight Faraday (Brian Benben) is a burntout cop demoted to the ‘weird calls’ desk until a series of bizarre murders suddenly grabs his attention: Several men killed by massive blunt force trauma while in a state of sexual arousal, all last seen in the company of a sexy Native American woman (Cinthia Moura). But when it’s discovered that these corpses were trampled into hamburger by what appear to be ...more

John Landis’ entry in the Masters of Horror entry continues his mixture of horror and comedy seen in An American Werewolf in London and Innocent Blood. 

Dwight Faraday (Brian Benben) is a homicide cop that’s been demoted to the animal attacks division.  He’s usually sitting at his desk brooding over his ex-wife but one day an assignment comes his way.  Seems that they’ve found “something” that doesn’t seem human at a truck stop.  He and officer Jacob Reed (Anthony Griffith) go out to the truck stop and find the stomped body of a man in the cab of an eighteen wheeler. 

Since it’s determined to be a homicide, Faraday is taken off of the case.  However, the case haunts him since he recognizes that the body has hoof prints on it.  It seems that our trucker friend was stomped to mush by a deer.  Soon other male bodies in the same state are starting to show up.  Dana (Sonja Bennett) who works in the morgue discovers that each of the victims died in a state of “arousal.”  They’re discussing the case at the local Indian casino when the casino boss overhears them and approaches them thinking they’re interested Indian mythology. 

Seems there’s a legend of a Deer Woman (Cinthia Moura) who is a woman from the waist up and a deer from the waist down.  She seduces men and then kicks them to death. Faraday is convinced that this is their prime suspect, but Reed is a bit apprehensive.  Faraday goes back to the office and Reed comes back to the casino to try and break the bank.  Reed meets a beautiful woman and she appears to bring him luck at the gambling tables, but is this meeting going to be lucky for Reed?

Deer Woman....in headlights

I’m not sure that I would exactly consider Landis a Master of Horror but he certainly struck horrific gold with An American Werewolf in London.  Deer Woman also takes a somewhat silly idea (the half woman/half deer) and in my opinion makes it work. 

John wrote the story with his son Max and they appear to have had a grand old time doing it.  The show is also well cast.  Benben is great in the comic role, Griffith as well, and Cinthia Moura is stunning as the deer woman.  Landis also adds mystery to the Deer Woman by having Moura play the part in complete silence.  I liked the combination of horror and humor and very much liked the American Werewolf reference. 

Deer Woman is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.77:1) and enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  Special features include the 26 minute “Animal Hooves” which is a career spanning interview with John Landis.  Next is the obligatory 22 minute “Working with a Master” featurette. 

It has interviews with Don Rickles, Forrest J. Ackerman, Max Landis, Rick Baker, Dan Ackroyd, Jenny Agutter, Robert Loggia, and Brian Benben.  Next is a trio of on set interviews.  The first is with Brian Benben (6 minutes), the second is with Anthony Griffith (4 minutes), and the third with Cinthia Moura (5 minutes). 

The next is the 9 minute “Behind the Scenes: the making of Deer Woman.”  Another nice touch is the inclusion of the 11 minute “Fantasy Film Festival” from the Z Channel in which host Mick Garris interviews John Landis.  There is an audio commentary with actors Brian Benben and Anthony Griffith.  This is a joke filled commentary.

Unfortunately, John Landis does not provide a commentary.  The rest of the extras include previews of the other Masters’ contributions, a still gallery, and a John Landis bio.  DVD-ROM features include the screenplay and a screen saver.  There’s also a collectible card inside the case.

The door ain't the problem

I liked Landis’ contribution to the Masters series and thought that he made the silly story work.  I would recommend it to anyone that enjoyed An American Werewolf in London or a fan of Landis’ comedy work.  In a strange way it seemed like a father/son bonding thing since both Max and John enjoyed working together. 

Masters of Horror: John Landis - Deer Woman is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.