With a title like that, it had my attention. In spite of the tame, if lightly handled execution, and implied exposition of its somewhat dark thematic context. I still found a touch of suspense, heavy isolation and hinted creepiness underlining director Burt Kennedy's riveting little TV movie of a group of backwoods' orphans (led by John Savage as the eldest brother) who kidnap adults, and then vote on them to be their parents.
Simple dynamics at play with little to show and repetitive actions (namely Keach trying to escape), yet it's grounded by the strong lead performances of Stacy Keach and Samantha Eggar. Both characters at two extremes; one accepting the situation, while the other doing anything possible to break free in-spite of the consequences. Although after all of this build-up, it comes down a peg thanks to an underwhelming, rushed and sappy climax/ending. Just feels disconnected to what has gone on before it. In my mind a grim, or even ambiguous ending would've felt more fitting.
Simple dynamics at play with little to show and repetitive actions (namely Keach trying to escape), yet it's grounded by the strong lead performances of Stacy Keach and Samantha Eggar. Both characters at two extremes; one accepting the situation, while the other doing anything possible to break free in-spite of the consequences. Although after all of this build-up, it comes down a peg thanks to an underwhelming, rushed and sappy climax/ending. Just feels disconnected to what has gone on before it. In my mind a grim, or even ambiguous ending would've felt more fitting.