The small town of Eidolon Crossing in 1979, Jake Richardson's younger brother Francis is the last of twenty six children kidnapped by a murderer the police never catch. The children's bodies are discovered in Dogwood Park, the town's fairground, earning it the nickname of Deadwood Park.Unable to cope with the grief Jake's family, along with many others leave Eidolon Crossing. Twenty five years later Jake returns to the broken town, to his rundown family home. Here the ghosts of the murdered children make contact leading Jake to the now abandoned decaying Deadwood Park to solve the mystery of the killer's identity and lay his brother to rest.

Deadwood Park is not without its flaws, on occasion the acting is a little amateurish and some of the effects are a little cheesy, personally I think the director should not have used visual effects for the ghosts. That said because of what has been achieved on an obviously tiny budget I think it’s unfair to focus on the few small bad points especially as they in no way detract from the overall enjoyment.

Eric Stanze has made a film that rarely puts foot wrong in terms of execution, story and plotting. Although the ideas and themes are well worn (MR James, Stephen King and possibly Ringu in terms of structure) fresh life is injected into them through engaging and largely excellent performances, atmospheric locations, fantastic pacing and simply beautiful cinematography.

Deadwood Park succeeds through the total commitment and passion of all those involved and its becoming increasingly rare to see such an effective American film let alone a horror that is not a remake of a Japanese classic or one that relies on cheap shocks and expensive gore.

Review By Roger