The Legend of Boggy Creek is one of the earliest found footage movies ever released. And it’s an odd one.
Synopsis
A docudrama horror film about the Fouke Monster, a Bigfoot-type creature reportedly seen in and around Fouke, Arkansas, since the 1940s
My Thoughts
Firstly, the production is really bad in this movie, but The Legend of Boggy Creek is actually quite a surprisingly captivating film to watch.
It’s apparently based on a true story, but who knows if that is true, and it’s best watched as fiction.
The film mixes several genres, and even some musical parts are thrown in, which makes it all quite odd.
It takes a while to get even somewhat interesting, starting with a long, drawn-out sequence but once it picks up, we follow the narrator, who reflects on his childhood in Fouke, Arkansas, and the town’s sightings of the mysterious swamp creature.
It gets a bit tiresome at times, but when this happens they throw in some unexpected musical numbers and give the movie a shift in tone, which actually helps, as I say, it’s a bit odd.
The ending isn’t great either when you finally get to see the ‘monster’.
Director and producer Charles B. Pierce, who worked in advertising, got money from a local trucking company and hired high school students to help make the film with a budget $160,000.
It’s a campy B-Movie that isn’t too great, but yet it still kept me interested to the end.
There’s nothing really scary about this film, and many will find it rubbish, but I personally found it to be quite interesting in a very odd way.
But you can see and appreciate the influence it had on the likes of The Blair Witch Project.
Good Points
Genuine Charm: Despite its flaws, the film has a raw, low-budget charm that gives it a nostalgic appeal.
Unique Genre Blend: The combinations of genres to also include something from High School Musical is definitely quite unique.
Bad Points
Poor Production Quality: The film suffers badly from its low-budget cinematography and technical execution.
Repetitive Scenes: Many scenes are quite repetitive and dull.
Thin Plot: The storyline is minimal, and for much of the film, it feels like there’s no clear narrative direction.
Is It Worth Watching?
If you want to experience one of the original found footage movies and are up for some oddness and quirkiness then give it a watch as it has an oddball charm.
If you aren’t up for that, then give it a miss.
The Legend of Boggy Creek on IMDB
Where To Watch
Director and Cast
Director – Charles B. Pierce
Main Cast – Vern Stierman, Chuck Pierce Jr, William Stumpp, Willie E. Smith, Buddy Crabtree, Jeff Crabtree, Judy Haltom
Found Footage Horror Movies 
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