I have often said that when you do something great in life, few will recognize what you have done. Kill someone and you live in the minds of people forever. Such is the case with every famous serial killer, and once again, another one is idolized in the direct to DVD world of serial killer stories.
This time, it is Virginian-born serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. He was also the basis of the cult classic HENRY: POTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER and its sequel, which are loosely based on Lucas’ confessions. Lucas is one of those serial killers that spilled his guts about his murders to the authorities, and a task force was put together to help solve the murders he committed. In total, it is believed that he killed anywhere from eleven to six hundred people, though the truth really never will be known. Lucas died in prison in 2001, after having his death sentence reduced to life in prison by then-Governor and now former president George W. Bush. It is said that the task force was sloppy in its findings.
DRIFTER: HENRY LEE LUCAS tells the detailed story of his whole life, from his rough childhood to his days drifting around the country, having odd jobs here and there and committing murders with his partner, Ottis Toole. Lucas also has a romantic relationship with Toole’s twelve-year-old niece, Frieda Powell, a troubled girl who escapes from a juvenile facility and goes on the run with the Lucas and Toole and assists in the murders they commit. The film tell us not only about all the murders Lucas commits, but also depicts his life as a young boy living with his abusive mother, whom he later kills, and how he confesses and is very cooperative with the Texas task force assigned to catch him.
The film is slow-paced and at times very boring, however it does do a good job of telling the story of Lucas’ life as a young boy, though his murder spree from 1975 though 1983, until his capture. The character development is limited in the film for the most part to Lucas himself. Most of the supporting characters are underdeveloped, and as a viewer, I tended not to care for any of them. The film is dialogue-driven with the story mostly told by Lucas himself with stories of his life shown in-between.
The film has some decent production values, though most of the scenes are shot on location with some sets dressed and erected here and there. The costume design is pretty good and catches the feel of the times. The acting is not half bad, but isn’t anything great either. It is pretty much what we would expect from a direct-to-DVD film, though some performances stand out more that others.
Overall, of the many direct-to-DVD serial killer films that have been released over the years, this is by far one of the better ones. That is really not saying much. Most of them are just plain bad, but this one at least tells a fairly complete life story. If you have interest in Lucas as a serial killer, this is a decent film, but in my opinion, it is mediocre at best.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
