This influential low-budget docudrama horror film told about the Bigfoot-style ‘Fouke Monster’, which reputedly terrorised the farming community of Fouke, Arkansas (population 350) since the 1950s.
There is no plot to speak of, but there are some truly dark re-enactment sequences.
Director Charles B Pierce (a former advertising salesman) funded the film by borrowing $160,000 from an Arkansas trucking company and cast genuine Fouke residents as themselves.
The toothless and wizened geezer menfolk, firmly perched in their rocking chairs, exude an earthy charm as they relate in their dry-throated drawls a series of tales centring on the massive three-toed seven-feet tall forest-dwelling hairy humanoid creature.
Pierce’s cameras sweep around and through the swamps and hills of the region, capturing the Gothic grandeur of dark forests and capitalising on the abundant mysteries of swampy vistas. Pierce also uses hand-held cameras for some scenes, adding to the cinema verite effect.
Despite the film being a major success considering its small budget (it grossed $25 million, mostly via the Drive-In market), the “actors” eventually had to sue to get paid. After more than three years, the case was settled for $90,000. After attorney’s fees, each actor received $1,000.
There have been two sequels – Return to Boggy Creek (1977) and Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues (1984) – with the second one directed by the original director, Charles B. Pierce. There was also a remake in 2010 and a documentary in 2016.
Narrator
Vern Stierman Jim as a boy
Chuck Pierce Jr. Jim as an adult
William Stumpp Willie
Willie E. Smith Lloyd Bowen
Himself B.R. Barrington
Himself Smokey Crabtree
Himself Travis Crabtree
Himself John P. Hixon
Himself John W. Oates
Himself James Crabtree
Buddy Crabtree Fred Crabtree
Jeff Crabtree Mary Beth Searcy
Judy Haltom Louise Searcy
Herself Baby
Dina Louise Savell Herb Jones
Himself Mr Kennedy
Dennis Lamb Mrs Kennedy
Loraine Lamb George
George Dobson Dave
Dave Ball Jim
Jim Nicklus Bessie Smith
Flo Pierce Charles Walraven
Himself Bobby Ford
Glenn Carruth Mrs Ford
Bunny Dees Mr Ford
John Wallis Mrs Turner
Sarah Coble Mr Turner
Dave O’Brien Corky Hill
Billy Crawford Ernest Walraven
Himself Hunters
Phillip Bradley
Bill Hunt
Monroe E. Smith
Eddie J. Dalmes
James E. Cobb
William Wright
Eddy Berdig
Jerry Chapman
Rickey Ashley
Dave R. Templeton
John Knight Jr
Dudley Pickens
James Cornell
Gene Ross
Thomas Templeton Doctor
Ken McElroy
Director
Charles B. Pierce
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The toothless and wizened geezer menfolk, firmly perched in their rocking chairs, exude an earthy charm as they relate in their dry-throated drawls a series of tales centring on the massive three-toed seven-feet tall forest-dwelling hairy humanoid creature.
