Featured Audience Ratings

• David L

  
  A strange, ominous figure prowls the desolate Namibian desert and slaughters those he meets in an apparent ritual of black magic origin, although the truth may well be even more alarming. 'Dust Devil' is an extraordinary film from director, Richard Stanley that at once… More
  A strange, ominous figure prowls the desolate Namibian desert and slaughters those he meets in an apparent ritual of black magic origin, although the truth may well be even more alarming. 'Dust Devil' is an extraordinary film from director, Richard Stanley that at once manages to be chilling, creepy, surreal, elegant and beautiful. In a visual sense alone, this film is purely a masterwork with such luscious imagery that can be strikingly picturesque yet in an instant become frightfully lurid and menacing. The desolate terrain of the Namibian desert is often presented with a vivid red tint, as if the landscape itself is drenched with the blood of the Dust Devil's victims. Such magnificent, awe-inspiring backgrounds seek and succeed in evoking the purest of overwhelming feelings of desertion and thus act as the ideal environment for such a daring and challenging film. The character of the Dust Devil (played by Robert John Burke) when presented against the mesmerising background has a strong, commanding presence and blends into the ocular grandeur as if part of the desert. One could also draw parallels between the visual delights on display here and that in the finest spaghetti westerns. To appreciate the visual splendor of 'Dust Devil' is to grasp just the very basics of what is a unique, intelligent horror film. Laced with symbolism and subtlety, Stanley has obviously put a great deal of thought and effort into creating a fantastically intricate world where what one sees can not necessarily be believed and every moment appears to provide more insight into what will come. If perhaps let down somewhat by a failed socio-political commentary, the superlative qualities of 'Dust Devil' are copious enough to ensure that little damage is done to the overall production. Accompanying the evocative imagery is a haunting soundtrack blending elements of tribal chanting with music similar to that which can be found in Italian western movies. Although the simplicity of the soundtrack is apparent, the utilisation is incredible and it contributes heavily to an induced sense of apprehension and dread. The seemingly sparse and controlled use of the sometimes menacing, sometimes graceful music gradually draws one into the film and allows one to experience the movie, rather than simply watch it. The production is then completed with sterling performances from the entire main cast. Robert John Burke is perfect in his role as the deceitful being, delivering his lines with quiet malevolence. Chelsea Field's takes the role of the lead female, fleeing her homeland and while her character does unfortunately remain somewhat underdeveloped, her performance is quite adept and good enough to allow an audience/character connection. South African born, Zakes Mokae (of 'The Serpent and the Rainbow' (1988)) also offers up a credible, sympathetic performance and truly excels during the scenes involving his character's own, spiritual journey. Perhaps on occasion a little too intellectual for its own good, 'Dust Devil' is a criminally overlooked film. Despite a number of grisly shots, the film almost solely relies on atmospheric build up to generate tension and steers clear from many of the ailments that modern horror movies are suffering from. Don't listen for ultra-loud bangs whenever a viewer is meant to be scared and don't look for two-dimensional teenagers this is a pure, visual horror film that is purposely confusing and builds up slowly to a near-perfect ending. If you like challenging movies, then you can't go far wrong here. Dust Devil is a tone poem on film

• Stella D

  
  strange western occult thriller has just enough ideas to keep it afloat in a sea of 80s cheese. the acting of the two leads is dreadful. i watched the 107 mins version which makes better use of the cop and shaman characters. oddly compelling

• xGary X

  
  A young woman running from an abusive marriage through the deserts of Namibia picks up a mysterious stranger on the highway to find that he is a shape shifting serial killer. I loved this film when it came out, but on revisiting it, its flaws are rather more apparent. Stanley's… More
  A young woman running from an abusive marriage through the deserts of Namibia picks up a mysterious stranger on the highway to find that he is a shape shifting serial killer. I loved this film when it came out, but on revisiting it, its flaws are rather more apparent. Stanley's direction and script show some of the irritations common to films of the late 80s and early 90s; he gets a little too carried away with his own visual trappings and the trippy dream sequences are definitely a product of seeing Twin Peaks one too many times. The first third of the film is intriguing and the ending satisfying and memorable, but in the middle it loses its way with some stilted dialogue; the supernatural elements that are often mentioned are never fully explained. But by far the biggest weakness is in the performances. Robert Burke does not have the enigmatic intensity to pull off the role of the Devil and Chelsea Field has the range of a TV chef. Far better are William Hootkins as the local Police Chief and John Matshikiza as the local witch doctor, but their parts barely qualify as cameos. As a whole it still has some striking images and enough interesting ideas to make it worth watching, although more as a curiosity than a classic.

• El Hombre I

  
  Breathtaking yes, but disturbing not so much, the film is not as scary as I expected from reading other viewers' opinions.....but what we do have is a well-drawn PROGRESSIVE horror film. Dust Devil, doesn't just rely on means to frighten you really, it's actually… More
  Breathtaking yes, but disturbing not so much, the film is not as scary as I expected from reading other viewers' opinions.....but what we do have is a well-drawn PROGRESSIVE horror film. Dust Devil, doesn't just rely on means to frighten you really, it's actually character based and character driven. To me, Dust Devil is the ultimate hitch-hiker horror story. There have been many films regarding the issue but not many in the supernatural sense....this guy is two kinds of evil. Combining African folklore with a spaghetti western look and throwing in some grisly murder scenes, Dust Devil impressed me all the way. The pace is slow, but mesmerizing and never drags. Visually, the movie is absolutely gorgeous. Different camera angles are used to portray different emotions and the backdrop of the almost inhabitable desert shows the emptiness and despair of characters. People and cars rise out of the heat lines of the desert, as if rising out of the ocean. Towns are desolate, with tumbleweeds and trash blowing in the hot wind. Everything is drenched in red dust and yellow sand. A hypnotic and hallucinatory film. Highly recommended. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=DD.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/DD.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Robert C

  
  This film came highly recomended by a friend who's tastes in film usually run similar to mine, so I was eager to see it. While I didn't hate it...I didn't love it either. There are some impressive visuals and the mythology is a GREAT premise for a film (or novel).… More
  This film came highly recomended by a friend who's tastes in film usually run similar to mine, so I was eager to see it. While I didn't hate it...I didn't love it either. There are some impressive visuals and the mythology is a GREAT premise for a film (or novel). I just didn't feel that it was executed as well as it could have been. It felt like a film that couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be. If that makes any sense? Worth a watch if you are a fan of the genre.

• Dr Blood  

  
  Sexually charged yet undeniably difficult to grasp in places, this pseudo-South African fable creates a myth, runs with it, and terrifyingly draws you in.

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