Berserker (1987 film)

Berserker (also known as Berserker: The Nordic Curse) is a 1987 American slasher film written and directed by Jefferson Richard. The film centers on a group of campers who are stalked and murdered by a Viking berserker.

Berserker
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJefferson Richard
Produced byJules Rivera
Written byJoseph Kaufman
Jefferson Richard
StarringGreg Dawson
Joseph Alan Johnson
Valerie Sheldon
Beth Toussaint
George "Buck" Flower
Music byChuck Francour
Gary Griffin
CinematographyHenning Schellerup
Edited byMarcus Manton
Distributed byShapiro Entertainment
Release date
  • July 1987 (1987-07)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

According to an old Nordic legend, a Berserker was a bloodthirsty warrior who ate human flesh, was forbidden a restful death and fated to be reincarnated in their blood kin. A summer camp accidentally stumbles across the Berserker legend when it arises in Rainbow Valley, an area settled by Norwegian immigrants. The camp is abuzz with rumours of a wild bear killing people in the area, including speculation about an old couple who get lost. But is it really a bear?

Cast
  • Greg Dawson as Josh Winter
  • Joseph Alan Johnson as Mike Stone
  • Rodney Montague as Larry Fishman
  • Valerie Sheldon as Kathy
  • Shannon Engemann as Kristi
  • Beth Toussaint as Shelly
  • Mike Riley as Berserker
  • John F. Goff as Officer Hill
  • George "Buck" Flower as Pappy Nyquist
  • Oscar Rowland as Homer
  • Beverly Rowland as Edna

Production

Parts of the film were shot at Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah.[1]

Release

Home media

The film was released on DVD by Quantum Leap on October 22, 2001. It was later released by Hollywood DVD on August 2, 2004.[2] Vinegar Syndrome released the film on Blu-ray in 2019.

Reception

Andrew Smith from Popcorn Pictures awarded the film a score of 3/10, writing, Berserker sounded great and could have become a little slasher gem but the lack of the berserker on-screen is disappointing and ‘Gentle Ben’ the bear doesn’t have any need to be in here. One to avoid unless you are have a burning desire to see every 80s slasher film".[3] Todd Martin from HorrorNews.net offered the film similar criticism, calling it "a boring, confusing, hokey, mess of a film".[4] Will and Roni agree that the Viking element was underplayed.

References
  1. D'Arc, James V. (2010). When Hollywood came to town: a history of moviemaking in Utah (1st ed.). Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781423605874.
  2. "Berserker (1987) - Jef Richard, Henning Schellerup". Allmovie.com. AllMovie. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  3. Smith, Andrew. "Berserker (1987)". Popcorn Pictures.co.uk. Andrew Smith. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  4. Martin, Todd. "Film Review: Berserker (1987)". HorrorNews.net. Todd Martin. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
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