The Legend of Boggy Creek, A Ballad to Bigfoot

The most perfect film ever made was delivered to us in 1972. Yes, "The Legend of Boggy Creek." No one film explains the ethos of America like this docudrama about Bigfoot. Set in the true heart of The United States, Arkansas, Europeans and Asians who believe they understand Americans better watch this film before making that claim. No one creature better symbolizes American individualism and exceptionalism better than Sasquatch. He can beat up any Yeti or lake monster (Nessie), and endures, unscathed by an ever evasive civilization.

Fouke, Arkansas...not too far away from Texarkana, has a small (huge, actually) problem. This small town, abutting swamp and thick woods, is on Bigfoot's radar. The hairy creature preys on chickens and cattle, much to the displeasure of farmers of the region. Now our eight foot friend has started getting bolder, appearing to humans who wander to the tree line. The sightings increase and the livestock casualties increase and Sasquatch's (Bigfoot's alias) growl gets louder. We hear from many of the actual witnesses (very few in this film are actors) and their accounts are compelling. What's more, the dramatized scenes featuring Bigfoot are eerie and bordering on frightening.

Is he benign? The first half of the film suggests this enigma has no animus toward humans. Like any annoying relative, humans  get under his skin...er...fur. As the last half hour of the film begins, two great looking couples, the Fords' (Bunny Dees and John Wallis) and the Turner's (Sarah Coble and Dave O'Brien) will endure grotesque horror. As harmless as Bigfoot may have appeared through this film, these great looking couples, with their small children, will have one of the most horrific nights in American history. In a plot aspect that would make Roger Corman proud, Bigfoot seems to have an interest for nubile young women.

"The Legend of Boggy Creek" was directed by Charles B.Pierce and leaves many unanswered questions. From a purely selfish point of view, I'm hoping this film will spur interest in my upcoming story "The Himalayan She Demon." The characters in this film are real people, not metrosexuals seeking espresso, or ballet dancers living in New York's rent controlled apartments, or sultry scientists saving the world, or pin-headed pukes determined to fight for social justice. The folk from the Texarkana area have made this country great, living real lives and committed to being good neighbors. For the definitive American story, enjoy "The Legend of Boggy Creek."