Midnight (1982) - full transcript

[Girl screams]

[screams continue]

[moaning]

[Woman]
Hurry up!

I think her heel's
caught in a trap!

[screams continue]

[Mama]
Hon, don't be afraid.
I'm right behind you.

I said the prayers
that helped catch it.

Look's like
Jimmy Peterson's sister.

But it ain't.
It's a demon, ain't it, Mama?

[Mama]
They can look
like anything they want.



Hit it, Luke.

[Girl]
Is it a demon for sure?

[Mama]
Yes! Hit it!

[Mama]
Hit it!

You did real good.

Now let's drag it back
to the house
and give it the last rites.

Why did it look
like Jimmy Peterson's sister?

[Mama]
I told you they could take
any form they wanted to.

A rabbit, a possum,

even a human being.

It's up to us
not to be taken in.

If they're sent to us,
we've got to destroy them!

Otherwise, this family
can fall under a spell.

[ticking sound]



[ticking continues]

All right, Cynthia.
It's midnight.

Time to begin.

Do it the way
I taught you.

Oh, mighty lord Satan,

we ask thee to help us in
the destruction of our enemies,

as you have done
for us today.

We pledge ourselves to thee

and may we continue to be
thy faithful servants.

Whomsoever you send to us

we shall destroy,
knowing it is thy will.

Amen.

Now, Cynthia!
Now!

[Woman's voice, distorted]
Oh, mighty lord Satan...

[Woman continues indistinctly]

[watch ticking]

Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned.

It's been two years
since my last good confession.

[Father]
You say it's been two years
since your last good confession?

Yes, Father.

Let me get this straight.

Do you mean to tell me
that during the past two years
you haven't been to confession,

or do you mean
you made bad confessions
during this time?

I meant bad confessions,
Father.

Ten of them.

How do you mean
they were bad?

Did you fail to tell
some sin you were guilty of?

Yes, Father.

Why in the world
did you do that?

I don't know, Father.

I was afraid.

What sin were you
afraid to tell?

Having carnal relations
with my boyfriend, Father.

I see.

Is he a Catholic?

He was, Father.

But we broke up.

It was undoubtedly the best
thing that could have happened.

You were living in sin
with him, do you realize that?
Yes, Father.

You have committed
the grievous sin of sacrilege
by making false confessions.

This is one
of the most awful sins
a Catholic can commit.

Do you realize you can burn
in hell forever
for this one sin?

Do you understand that,
for two years,

the power of sanctifying grace
was absent from your soul?

If you had died at any time
during those two years,

you would, right at this
instant, be burning in hell.

Your immortal soul would
have descended directly
into the arms of Satan.

I know, Father.

And I am sorry.

You had better
be sorry.

Now make a good
Act of Contrition.

"Oh, my God,
I am heartily sorry

for having offended thee

and I renounce all my sins
because I dread the loss

of heaven and
the pains of hell.

But most of all, I renounce them
because they offend thee,

my God, who are all good
and deserving of all my love.

I firmly resolve,
with the help of thy grace,

to confess my sins,

to do penance

and to amend my life.

Amen.

[Man over radio]
You're tuned to Ken Perry,
afternoon show, FM radio.

He did? Oh, Patty,
I'm so happy for you.

I knew Bob would get up
the nerve to ask you out.

Well, I saw the way he kept
staring at you in homeroom.

He's so shy.

I bet the two of you
will hit it right off.

I'm waiting for my stepfather
to get home so
I can have the car.

He's working nightshift,

but he said I could have the car
to go to the mall.

Oh, he'll let me
have it, all right,

if he doesn't wreck it
on the way home.

He's been drinking
like a fish again,
driving my mother crazy.

Mm-hmm.
[doorbell rings]

Oh, hang on a minute,
Patty.

I think I hear
my stepfather at the door.

Okay? Mm-hmm.

[knocking]

[knocking continues]

[sighs]

Hello, Daddy.

Good morning, sweetheart.

How about a big kiss
for me, huh?

Daddy!

Hey, you don't have
to call me Daddy all the time.

I'm just your stepfather.
We both know that.

Nothing wrong with
a little smooch now and then.

Hey, where's your mother?

She went to get
her hair done, remember?

Wait.

You said I could have
the car to go shopping.

Can I?
[chuckles]

Sure. Sure you can
have the car.

Now how about a big hug
and kiss for me, huh?

Daddy, you're hurting me!

Please, let me go!
My girlfriend
Patty's on the phone.

She's waiting for me
to get back on the line.

I told her
you were at the door.

[sighs]

[dial tone beeping]

Hello, Patty.
I'm back.

Patty, are you there?

Darn it! Why did
she have to hang up?

[sighs]

Nancy.

Hey, come on now, baby.

What's the matter
with you?

We're all alone.

Nobody home but us.

Why don't you loosen up
a little bit?

Show you a little of that loving
you don't get from your mother.

Daddy, leave me alone.

Come on, baby.

Hey, listen,

I need to see what you look like
without your clothes on.

I won't lay a hand on you,
I promise you.

We don't have to go any further
than just looking.

Unless you change your mind
and you wanna...

Are you out of your mind?
You're drunk.

You don't know what you're
saying. You're my stepfather!

Get out of my room or
I'm going to tell my mother
when she comes home!

I know you have to put up
a show of resistance.

But you don't fool me.

I know you're no virgin.

I heard you one night
on the back porch
with your boyfriend.

One thing for sure-- you're not
as frigid as your mother!

Now get out of my room.

Now how you gonna act, huh?

Daddy, stop it.

Why don't you just relax
and let Daddy
make you feel good?

Daddy, please!

Ain't that good, honey? Huh?

[groans]

[snoring]

How far you going, honey?
California.

That's quite a long trip.

What would you do for me

if I take you as far
as 600 miles of it?

What do you mean?

Don't play coy with me,
young stuff.

I'll make it simple
for you.

Three hundred miles,
then we share a motel room.

Tomorrow, another 300 miles,
another motel room.

And we kiss each other good-bye
in the morning
with no hard feelings.

That way, your conscience
is clear, you've paid your way.

Hey, Hank, I wouldn't mind
picking her up.

We're just a couple minutes
too late though, huh?

Yeah, good thing, too.

Obviously she's jailbait.
You think so?

I wonder where she's headed.
Dream on.

You're never going to find out.

She's gonna jump into
that cat's car and be long gone.

I'm only going as far
as Detroit.

You headed for L.A.
or Frisco?

Hey, that girl's
still back there.

Looks like her and that guy
are having some kind of
an argument or something.

Look, I'm telling you
one more time, mister,

you get out of here
or I'm gonna call the cops.

As a matter of fact,
my stepfather is on
the police force.

You smart young slut.

Hey, that guy
didn't pick her up.

I'm gonna go get her.

[Hank]
For Christ sake,
forget it, Tom.

They'll be plenty of chicks
in Lauderdale.

We're liable to get her
in here with us and then
she'll tear her blouse

and threaten to yell "rape"
to the nearest cop.

And then we'd give up all
the money we got in our pockets.

She wouldn't get much.

She's probably just a nice
young girl who needs a lift.

All right, white boy.

Most of the time, if
a good-looker like that has
to go begging for something

it means she's
in some kind of trouble.

[Hank]
Either that,
or she is trouble.

Why do you wanna mess up
a good vacation?

[Tom] If we don't pick her up,
she's liable to be picked up
by some creep.

I'm going back for her.

[Hank]
All right. You're the driver.

But I sure hope you ain't
doin' something dumb.

Cool it, Hank.

Hi. Need a lift?

Didn't you just go around
the block before?

Yeah, I was gonna
pick you up the first time.

But I figure you had
your problem solved.
Oh!

I'd have my problems
solved for good.

All I had to do was let that man
take me to a motel room.

Is that what you're after too?

I told you! The chick's
nothing but trouble.

Shut up.

We can all reach
an understanding.

Me and Hank--
we're not creeps.

We give you a ride,
you don't owe us anything.

I just don't want you to get
picked up by some lunatic.
We're headed to Lauderdale.

I wanted to go
to my sister's place
in California.

Kids'll be going back to college
to finish out the term.

A good many of them make the
Lauderdale scene from schools
in the Midwest and so on.

You'd be able to check out
a ride on a personal level,
make sure it's somebody safe.

Well--
Come on!

[Woman]
¶ You're on your own
You're all alone ¶

¶ You can't go home anymore ¶

[no audible dialogue]

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone
And midnight's at your door ¶

¶ Ever more

¶ Ever more

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone ¶

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone ¶

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone ¶

Hi, honey.

Burt,
what happened
to your forehead?

Oh, I--

I got a little bruise
locking up a drunk.

Where's Nancy?

I had the impression that
she wanted to take your car
to the mall today.

Far as I'm concerned,
she did go to the mall.

She wasn't here
when I got home.

One of her girlfriends
must have picked her up early.

Honey, you got
a cup of coffee for me?
Sure, dear.

Go sit down.
I'll bring it in to you.

She probably went
with Patty.

She's not dating
anyone new, is she?

How would I know? I can't keep
track of that wild crowd
she hangs around with.

I don't think
they're particularly wild.

They're a lot nicer than
most teenagers are these days.

Hmm. That's what you think.

Now what's that
supposed to mean?

Don't worry. They know
what it's all about.

I could tell you a few things.
Well, tell me.

If it's something
I ought to know.

It's just that

Nancy's not everything
you think she is.

I think you better
explain yourself.

Well, I've been debating
for some time now

whether I should say anything

but I guess it's best
that you know.

She pretends to be so sweet
and innocent when you're around.

But it's just an act.

She was flaunting
her little body at me.

What do you mean?

Well, you know.

Rubbing up against me
whenever she gets an excuse.

God knows I've tried
to avoid her.

I'll be darned if I know
what her game is.

Sometimes I think she's trying
to break you and me up.

Burt, are you saying

that Nancy tried
to seduce you?

Oh, I don't think she'd
ever wanna go that far.

But...well, let's say she's
trying to test her sex appeal

in a juvenile way.

Mind you, I have no doubt
she's still a virgin.

Well, I happen to know
that she's not.

She was pretty brokenhearted
when her boyfriend dumped her.

And I heard a conversation
that made it pretty clear

that they had been
sleeping together.

Well, Nancy won't
confide in me.

I-I just have to find out
everything accidentally.

You know what I think, honey?

I think she just resents
the fact that I'm not
her real father.

That's why I've been
hitting the bottle again lately.

Till now, I haven't been able
to bring myself to tell you
how she's been acting.

Such a terrible thing
to have to face up to.

So I've been carrying it
on my shoulders,

to shield you from it.

Burt,

you and I haven't been
very close lately.

Could it be because of what
you've been going through
with Nancy?

But of course, honey.
What do you think?

I love you and
I don't wanna lose you.

And I've been afraid Nancy'd
come to you with some
wild story about me.

That's why I wanted you
to hear my side of it first,

so nothing could ever
come between us.

I-I know we have to give Nancy
love and understanding,

but the important thing is,
darling, for you and me
to stick together.

Terry's already gone off
to California,

and I suppose, before long,
Nancy'll go off on her own too.

We won't have anybody
but each other to lean on

in our old age, dear.

¶ [rock]

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone
You can't go home anymore ¶

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone ¶

¶ And midnight's
at your door ¶

¶ Ever more

¶ Ever more

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone ¶

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone ¶

¶ You're on your own ¶

¶ You're all alone ¶

Hi.
Wanna fill it up?

Okay. You have a men's room?
It's around there.
It's unlocked.

You want a potato chip, Hank?
No.

You sure?
I don't want any.

You know, uh,
when we get to Lauderdale,

I hope you aren't figuring
on hanging around
with Tom and me,

making a pest of yourself.

Don't worry.
I can make my own friends.

I think you better have
a little talk with Tom.

I don't think he feels
the same way about me
as you do.

I don't have anything
against you.

It's nothing personal,

but this trip was supposed
to be mine and Tom's.

Yeah.

[door slams]

Pardon me, young man.
Is that your van?

No, it's not mine.

It's my friend's.

I'm Reverend Carrington,

pastor of
the First Baptist Church.

This is my daughter, Sandra,

home from college
for the holiday.

The bus from Perryville
let us off at the crossroad.

It's still a long way home
if we walk it-- ten miles.

What are you majoring in,
Sandra?

Education.

Gonna be a teacher, huh?
I hope so.

You seem to be headed
in our direction.

Do you mind if
we ride with you
a short piece?

Believe me, I hate
to be so forward.

You two fellas are strangers
and don't owe us anything.

Truth is, I don't mind
walking 10 miles.

But I'm scared to be out
all alone on those back roads
with my daughter.

It's too dangerous.

There's been a half a dozen
people found dead around here

just in the past couple of years
since I came here to preach.

Some look like accidents,
some, obviously murdered.

A man and wife in my own
congregation was found burnt
to death in their cottage.

The sheriff ruled accident,
but that don't explain

why a half-empty can of gasoline
was found back in the woods.

Some of the lawmen around here

don't feel too particularly
about anybody who isn't white.

Watch your mouth, preacher.

That'll be $20.
Your tank was bone dry.

Real friendly guy,
ain't he?

[door slams]

Will you let us ride
with you?

Sure, it's no problem.

Maybe you can point out
a good place to make camp.

Lord have mercy
if you decide to
camp out around here.

Didn't you hear me say
some people have been murdered?

Why don't you let me
put you up at our place?
We're much obliged, sir,

but we'd rather camp out
under the stars.

It was very nice of those
young people to give us a ride.

I hope they listen
to what you told them and don't
go camping out around here.

Why don't we go
to the house first, rest,
get something to eat,

and then you can
visit the grave later.

No, I'd rather
do it now.

And it won't hurt
for you to come along.

When was the last time
you prayed for your mother's
immortal soul?

I pray for her
every night, Daddy.

And nothin' in the Bible
says I have to do it
beside her tombstone.

Watch your mouth, girl.
While you live under my roof

you'll treat my beliefs
with respect.

And you'll respect
your mother's blessed memory.

I finished my prayer, Daddy.

I'm going to the house and
make some tea and sandwiches.

I'll take the suitcase.

[gasps, shouts]

[grunts]

[maniacal laughter]

[Men chattering]

Hi, can I have a six-pack
of Pabst, please?

You a stranger?

[all]
What you doin' in here?

[Men continue shouting]

Hey, Annie. We don't serve
any people like that.

It's all right for you.
Take your boy along with you.

I'm looking on you, black boy.
[chattering continues]

Hey, you two!

You two! You. You.

Get over here.

Now! Now, move it.

[Men chattering]

Which one of you
owns this van?

I do.

Okay. Take your
six-pack, get in the van,
get out of town. Now!

You heard the man.
Come on, let's go!
Let's go!

We don't need
your kind around here.
Hank, move it.

[all chattering]
Let's go!

[car starting]
We don't need you.

[tires squealing]

We told them off.

[Tom]
I thought they
were gonna smack us.

We're lucky we got
out of there in one piece.

[Nancy]
I can't believe it.
Why were they picking on us?

Those loudmouth honkies.

Find a grocery store, Tom.

Let's teach
these hicks a lesson.

No, Hank,
we better be careful.

This isn't the place
to try anything foolish.

You're chicken!
I can't believe you let those

creeps scare you!

Try what?

Well,

I might as well tell you,
as long as you're going
to be riding with us.

Me and Hank,
we ain't exactly rich.

So,

before we left school,
we figured out a careful budget.

We decided that...

if we pay for gas,
then we wouldn't have
enough money for food.

And if we paid for food,
we wouldn't have enough
money for gas.

So, we been...

stealing groceries all the way
from Pennsylvania to Florida.

That's how
we been making it.

Listen.

If you don't want to stay
with us now that you know,

we'll let you out
and you can hitch
another ride.

After you talked me
into going to Florida
instead of California.

[Hank]
How much bread
you got on you, girl?

$14.

Certainly not enough to feed
yourself all the way to Frisco.

Then you have to steal.

And if you have to,
then it's not a sin.

[sighs]

[dog barking]

[teapot squealing]

[banging]

Daddy, is that you?

[rapid knocking]

[knocking continues]

[gasps, screams]

[laughing]

[screaming]

[laughing continues]

[screaming]

[laughing]

Help!

Here's a nice grocery store
just made to order.

You could help us
pull this off.
Mm-mm.

You don't have to
if you don't want to.

But if you stick with us
without doing your share

you gonna be eating
stolen food anyway.

¶ [soft rock]

¶ [Woman singing indistinctly]

¶ All the people
surrounding you ¶

¶ Don't want to be
your friend ¶

¶ All the hope
keeping you ¶

¶ Has finally reached
an end ¶

¶ And it's coming
'round to midnight ¶

¶ You're all alone
and it's midnight ¶

¶ You're on your own
You're all alone ¶

¶ You can't go home anymore ¶

¶ You're on your own
You're all alone ¶

¶ And midnight's
at your door ¶

¶ Ever more

¶ You fought the rulers
and lost your sense ¶

¶ And broke up
with my friends ¶

¶ You're finally looking
to your past ¶

¶ To find the way again

¶ The days to come
will see you through ¶

¶ And tell you in the end

¶ 'Cause it's coming
round to midnight ¶

Go!

[yelling]

Come on!

[tires squeal]

[Man over police radio]
Three teenagers
with stolen groceries

last seen in a blue and white
van heading toward...

[tires squealing]

[Police officer]
Get on 'em!

[siren wailing]

[Tom]
Uh-oh! It's the cops!

[Nancy]
Tom, hurry up!

Hit the gas.
Faster, Tom.

I got it to the floor now.
It won't go any faster.

[Tom]
Take it easy.

Look out, punk!

That's the way.
They're dropping behind.

[Hank]
Here we go. Here we go.

[siren fading]

How far back are they?

I can't see 'em, Tom.
Turn off.

[tires squealing]

[siren wailing]

[Tom]
She's down to the floor.
I'm pulling in here!

[Hank]
I don't hear
the siren anymore.

[Nancy]
Hank, did we lose 'em?
I think we lost 'em!

[Tom]
Could be.

[Hank]
Damn right we did.
You did it, Tom.

[all laughing]
Wow! What a rush!

[all chattering]

[Nancy]
Look out!

I almost hit that guy.

He was carrying something.
Did you see that?

It's lucky
I saw anything at all.
Thanks for telling me.

There's something creepy
about that guy.

I got a look at his face.

He was grinning, even when you
were going to hit him, Tom.

I swear, he had
this strange look on his face.

I thought I saw a shoe sticking
out from under that blanket.

Nah, he was just a big farmer
with a bundle.

Your mind's playing tricks
on you. You're all shook up.

Soon as we find
a good camp site

we'll smoke some
of this good hash
and loosen you up.

[sinister chuckle]

¶ If religion was a thing

¶ That money could buy

¶ The rich would live

¶ And the poor

¶ Would die ¶

¶ All ¶

¶ My trials, Lord

¶ Soon

¶ Be over

Nancy, you sing nice.

Thank you.

Doesn't she sing nice, Hank?

I don't think she got
much right to be singing
a slave song.

Come on. Don't start
getting paranoid on us.

Who's paranoid?
Not me.

I just said I don't think
a white girl ought to be singing
a slave song, that's all.

Black people paid their dues
in that area, not whites.

White chicks like Nancy
can't have the least idea

of the feeling behind
a black spiritual.

That's bull, Hank.
What's wrong with you?

You don't like me,
do you, Hank?

It dawned on me that you gotta
be running away from home.

And if so, me and poor
innocent Tom are accessories.

How old are you?

19.

Well, 17.
Almost 18!

You sure you ain't
16 or 15?

Leave her alone!
Shut up, white boy!

One of us has gotta have
the sense to find out
how much hot water we may be in!

You ever hear of the Mann Act?
I can't believe you!

Transporting a minor
across state lines?

You better think
about it, Tom.

We could have the FBI
on our ass.
You're crazy.

We both know you flunked out
of law school.
Now come off it!

Don't mind him. He gets a little
bit mean when he gets stoned.

He'll be okay in a while.

If you're uptight about me, you
don't need to keep me around.

I don't wanna be
a burden on you.

We can go our separate ways
in the morning.

He doesn't mean
anything, Nancy.

[rustling]
Damn it, tell her
you don't mean it!

Now you've hurt
her feelings.
I do mean it!

We hardly
know that chick!

I warned you
she'd be trouble.

You're the one
who's trouble.

I wish you'd learn
to keep your mouth shut!

Tomorrow morning you won't
even know what a hassle
you've caused!

Nancy!

Hey, you might tell somebody
if you've got a problem.

What makes you think
I have one?

Okay, so if you don't have one,
we won't talk about it.

Listen, I just wanna tell you
that Hank's really
not a bad guy.

He'll let you stay,
you'll see.

Everything will be okay
in the morning.

[heavy breathing]

[Nancy]
I had a bad experience
with my stepfather.

My mother doesn't know
what he's like.

She wouldn't believe me
if I told her.

The only person
I have to run to

is my sister in California.

I'm sorry. You should
have told somebody.

I don't wanna be a burden.

And I'd really rather not come
between you and your friend.

You'll be better off
without me.
That's not true at all.

You've been helpful
and fun to be with.

Hey, I want you
to stay, Nancy.

[Man chuckling]

Hank?

Is that you?
[laughs]

Hank?

Hank, is that you?
[snorts]

Hank!

Hank, is that you?

I-It's probably some kind
of an animal.

A hyena, maybe.

If they've got 'em
around here.

Come on, Nancy.

Let's go back
and turn in.

Bert.

I have a feeling something
happened between you
and my daughter.

I think you're lying
to me about this
and I wanna know why.

Why didn't Nancy come home?

Damn it, Harriet.
How the hell should I know?

I told you that kid's not
as innocent as you make
her out to be.

She's probably somewhere
carrying on.

It isn't like Nancy
to stay out this late
without phoning.

I'm worried about this, Bert.

And I think you know something
you're not telling me.

Will you stop
imagining things!

I've got to get down
to the station house.

As soon as I do
get down there,

I'll check the police blotter,
if it'll make you feel better.

And if anything
has happened to Nancy
the police know about,

I'll get all the facts.

One way or another
I'll call you in
a couple of hours.

Now, calm down.

By the time I do call you,
she'll probably be home
in bed, safe and sound.

Hold it there , fellas!
Don't you make
any foolish moves!

Keep your hands visible!

You reach for anything
inside that bag

and I won't wait to see
what you're reaching for.

I'll just shoot.

What's this all about?
Shut up.

[2nd Officer]
Where's the girl?

You killed her,
didn't you?

[groans]

You sadistic scum!
Don't make a move.

Or I'll blow your brains
to bloody pieces.

Maybe they think they can pin us
with a police brutality rap.

Make a civil rights case
out of it.

Filthy scum.

You don't deserve
humane treatment.

What'd you do
with the girl?

Where'd you hide
her body?

Maybe we oughta
drag 'em out in the woods,
one at a time.

Question 'em separately.

Good idea.

Who's first?

Eenie...

meenie...

miney...

Wait, can't we talk
about this?

We didn't kill anybody!

All we're guilty of is stealing
a few bags of groceries.

[2nd Officer]
Oh, a confession?

Trying to get off lightly by
admitting to a lesser offense!

Well, it won't work!

We've seen
that ploy before.

I am tired of playing games
with you two.

We know you're guilty.

Your van was spotted
near the place
where that girl was found,

raped, stabbed.

Can't lie out of it.

You're gonna have to pay.

And we don't care

if we take you in alive

or dead.

Dead would be preferable.

[Hank]
We're entitled to a trial.
We're innocent.

Get your ass up out of
that sleeping bag, pronto!

Who do you think
we should question
first, partner?

No, I remember now.

We saw a big heavy man
in farm overalls.

I almost ran him down. He was
in the middle of the road.

[laughs]
He was carrying
this big, heavy bundle.

It might have been a body.
It must have been a body!

Listen, is he the one
who turned us in?

If so, he's obviously trying
to frame us, huh?

[laughing]
Look, my brother's
a lawyer back in Pittsburgh--

They don't wanna hear it, man.

Get out of those
sleeping bags!

On the double!

I am tired of playing
games with you two.

We know you're guilty.
You can't lie out of it.

Run, Hank!

[gunshots]
[gasps]

[groans]

[Tom]
Get away! Go!
[gunshot]

[groans]

[gunshot]

You killed him!

You stupid redneck!

We're innocent!

We told him he could get
his head blowed off.

Serves him right.
You must be crazy.

Crazy!

Your buddy
was resisting arrest.

Are you ready to confess
to killing that girl now?

You see,

I knew her and
her parents real well,

and I'd do anything
to bring in her killers.

You have to understand that
the people in this county

would turn a blind eye
to any irregularities,

as long as they felt
they got justice.

Go ahead and shoot me.

That's what you're gonna
do anyways, isn't it?

Well, we already know
you're guilty.

The actual confession
is merely a formality.

The fact that your partner
tried to run

don't make you look
very innocent.

But it saves
the taxpayers money.

Step aside.
Give me a clear shot.

[gunshot]

[screams]
[gunshot]

[sighs]

[maniacal laughter]

[laughing continues]

[panting]

[pounding on door]

[panting]

Look, I'm in trouble.
Can you help me?

Do you have a telephone?

[maniacal laughter]
[screams]

[shouts]

[screams]

Please, let me go!

You killed both my friends.
The real murderer's in there!

Well, let's go see.
We got to investigate,

see if this young lady's
telling the truth.

I don't wanna
go back in there!

She's stark raving mad,
I'm afraid.

Doesn't wanna come along
and prove her innocence!

[screams]

[maniacal laughter]

[Nancy] Please!
[Luke]
Take her clothes off!

No!

You!

Get up!

Come on! Get up!

[whistles]
Come on, poochie.

Get in there.

[shouting]
Get in the cage!

Come on! Hurry up!

Well, I hope you two doggies
are comfortable!

[chortles]

Enough, Cyrus!
Enough!

Look at the mess
you made here!

Gotta get the house
cleaned up.

Mama don't like it
like this.

You know she's got a bug
for keeping things tidy.

Cynthia, you gotta help us
clean up the house,
for Mama's sake,

or else Mama
is going to be mad.

You had better go up
and talk to her, Luke.

You know darn well
she's gonna chastise you

for killing that
other girl ahead of time.

Mama said we're supposed
to have three for
the Easter services.

I'll certainly have another
by Good Friday.

Now you have to go out
and catch another one!

And catching them
is the dangerous part.

People are liable
to get wise.

You and Cyrus and Abraham
know that.

How many times
did Mama tell you?

I'll go up and talk to Mama
after the living room's
straightened up!

Mama won't yell at me
for no reason,
you wait and see!

My name's Gwen Davis.

He killed my sister.

The two deputies--
the real ones
could have saved us.

But they're dead.

You and I have to figure
a way to get out of here
before they kill us.

[door unlocks]

Please let us go.

[laughs]

You're young, like us.

You must have some feeling
for what we're going through.

I'm not like you.

Don't ever try
to tell me that.

I have special powers.

You'll see for yourself
come Friday at midnight

when the services start.

I didn't do a very good job
of fighting back.

I was in shock
or something.

Sally bit and scratched

and they had
a hard time with her.

She kicked Cyrus--
the big, crazy one--

and then he stabbed her,

again and again and again.

I was half out of my mind.
I was already in my cage.

Two deputies stopped here.

I could hear them talking
on the front porch.

They said they had been
chasing this van

that had gone speeding away
from a grocery store in town.

Luke must have been afraid
or suspicious.

Deputy said they had wrecked
their car in the chase.

Luke offered them
some hot coffee

and he brought a pot full
out onto the front porch.

I wanted to scream,
but Abraham had a gun on me.

The coffee must have
been drugged

because in a little while,

the deputies were
dragged in here, unconscious,

and tied up with rope.

They were tortured
and stabbed to death.

Why? Why is all
this happening?

It's my fault
those deputies were killed.

I was one of the people
they were chasing.

May God have mercy
on their souls

and on Hank's and Tom's.

We have to try
to escape.

We have to try
to get out of here.

They'll kill us.

The whole family
is crazy.

[knocking]

Mama?

I hope you don't have it in
your head that I've done wrong.

We didn't mean
to kill the girl.

But she hurt Cyrus
pretty bad.

You always said that Cyrus
had a delicate temper.

It was the girl's fault!

And if Cynthia said otherwise,
well, it just ain't so!

Me and Abraham--

we'll go out and catch
another girl tomorrow.

We got us a van
that don't belong to us.

Nobody can trace it
to us!

Tomorrow, we'll take it
out on the road.

We'll find us
another girl.

Maybe somebody young
and pretty.

Maybe a virgin!

Don't worry, Mama.

Me and Abraham--
we won't disappoint you.

Billy!

Hey, Billy,
we're gonna eat now.

Billy!

Come in and wash your hands.
We're gonna eat.

Here, catch!

[laughs]

This one pretty enough
for you, little brother?

Yep.

This'll make Mama
real happy.

[chuckles]

Over here.

[Girl laughs]

[muffled screams]

Sharon?

Sharon!

Sharon?

Sharon, what--
[gasps]

[screaming]
Luke!

Come on, sweetheart.
We're going for a walk.

Up!
[gasping]

[grunts]

[laughs]

No!
[grunts]

[muffled moans]

Nancy, don't give up
on me, please!

You do,
we're as good as dead.

Gotta figure a way
to get out of here.

But what can we do?
We're locked in.
[whimpering]

There's no chance
of trying to escape.

Pull yourself together.
[sniffles]

Maybe I could try to seduce
one of the brothers.

It might get his guard down,
and I'd kill one if I had to.
[thud]

[maniacal laughter]

Cyrus!

Cyrus, that's enough.

That's enough I say.

[door slams]
"God, I'm heartily sorry
for having offended thee.

I renounce all my sins
because I dread the loss of
heaven and the pains of hell."

Why do you pray?
It will do you no good.

Don't you believe in God?

You believe your god
is good and merciful.

Yet he has allowed such
bad things to happen to you.

We're taught not to question
his wisdom.

He sent his only begotten son
to earth

to suffer and die
for our sins.

Maybe he's asking me
to suffer a little too,

so that I can be saved.

Were you such a great
and terrible sinner?

There are times when evil
will triumph and nothing
can overcome it.

Evil is more powerful
than good.

Even the son of God
cried out in his final agony
on the cross,

"Why has thou forsaken me?"

How do you do, sir?
I'm Sheriff Cunningham.

What can I do for you?

I understand
you're a lawman too?

Ah, yes, sir.

Look, it's about
my daughter Nancy.

Uh, she's a runaway,
17 years old.

And I'm kind of worried
she might come to harm.

She left home because
of a misunderstanding
between the two of us.

I'd like to find her
and persuade her to come back.

I promised her mother
I'd try to make things right.

I wouldn't blame myself
too much if I was you.

Lots of teenagers
go bad these days.

And the parents,
or the stepparents,

are not always to blame.

Won't you sit down?
Thank you.

Now...
what makes you think
I can help you?

You're not from around
these parts, are you?

Uh, no, sir.

We make our home in the eastern
part of the state-- Lewisburg.

When Nancy left home
two days ago,

she was seen by a couple
of friends of mine
in a squad car hitchhiking.

They went around the block
to talk to her, make sure
everything was all right.

By the time they got there
she was being picked up
by two young fellas in a van.

The deputies took down
the license number,

but they didn't bother
to follow the van.

They didn't see
any reason to at that time,
nothing seemed wrong.

Are you trying to tell me
you traced this vehicle here?

Why, Lewisburg's
200 miles away.

Yes, sir, we ran a check
on the vehicle's license number

through the state police.

And we found out that
your office has a bulletin out.

It seems some teenagers
stole some groceries here
in this town.

And they were driving a van with
a license number that tallies
with what I'm looking for.

That's good police work,
Mr. Johnson.

Well, thank you.

The only trouble is,
I'm afraid,

when and if I do
find Nancy, she'll be facing
a petty larceny charge.

She's undoubtedly one of
the kids you're looking for.

Well, I hate to tell you this,
but there's a good chance
she may be in worse trouble.

What do you mean? Why?

That van was being pursued
by two of my deputies.

They dropped out of site.

We found the squad car,
abandoned,

with the radiator smashed in
and no sign of the deputies.

My God.

We've had some men out
looking for them,

but the people out here
aren't much help.

A lot of them are operating
moonshine stills

and they don't take
too kindly to police officers.

In fact, it's downright
dangerous just to be asking
questions in the back country.

Yeah, well,

I was kind of planning
on looking for that van.

I can't stop you,
I reckon.

If you don't get ambushed
by those moonshiners,

maybe you'll get lucky
and find my deputies.

I can show you on the map
the exact spot

where we found
the abandoned squad car.

Come on, take a look.

Right over here.

[ticking]
¶ [choral]

It's midnight.
Time to begin.

[Sharon screams]

[Cyrus laughs]

[moans]

We thought you'd like
to meet our mama.

[Cyrus, Luke laugh]

[indistinct]

[Mama]
All right, Cynthia.
It's midnight.

Do it the way
I taught you.

Lucifer, we beg you to accept
the sacrifice of this child

which we now offer to you,
to receive your blessings.

Bless our deeds that
we do in your almighty name.

Consecrate the blood
we've come to offer you,

the blood we drink
to show our oneness with you,

the lord of hell.

Oh, mighty lord Satan,

we worship you with all
our hearts and humbly submit

to your desires
and commandments.

We believe,
with everlasting conviction,

that you are our creator,
our benefactor,

our lord and master...
[continues praying]

"Oh, my God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended thee.

And I renounce all my sins
because I dread the loss
of heaven

and the pains of hell--"

Nancy, praying's
not gonna do you any good.

We're done for.

"Most of all,
I renounce them because
they offend thee, my God,

who art all good and deserving
of all my love."

Lucifer, we ask you
to bless her, the source
of our communion.

May her blood give us
strength and vitality
[gasps]

Good-bye, Sharon.

[screams]
[Luke laughs]

[gasps]

[crying]
Oh, my God!

They've killed her!
They've killed her!

"May her soul
[crying]

and the souls of the departed
rest in peace, o Lord,

and may perpetual light
shine upon her."

By this blood,
grant our beloved mother

eternal life,
oh, lord Satan,

so that she,
your faithful servant,

may dwell among us forever.

[ticking]

By believing in you,
may we live forever.

By this sacrifice of blood
grant us eternal life,

lord Satan.

Who's that dumb sucker
following us?

I don't think so.
Let's not get jumpy.

Let's just do
what we came to do.

Dig the grave deep, Cyrus.

We don't want the rain
to wash her up.

Why couldn't we have waited
until we killed Gwen
and that other girl?

What's her name? Nancy?

We could have buried all three
of them in the same hole.

'Cause Mama don't
want it that way.

Mama told Cynthia to bury them
one at a time,

just like we're doing.

Well, Gwen
gets it tonight.

Last rites.

And then Nancy
on Easter Sunday.

Yep.

[Luke]
That's the way
Mama wants it.

Well, I think we better
get rid of this van

before someone
comes looking for the owner.

Tomorrow.

We'll drive it a long ways off,
then dump it.

Then we'll set it on fire.

Big fire.

You'd like that,
wouldn't you, big brother?

[laughs maniacally]

[Abraham's voice]
Why couldn't we have waited
until we killed Gwen

and that other girl?

What's her name? Nancy?

We could have buried all three
of them in the same hole.

[tires screech]

[ticking]

"Oh, my God, I am heartily sorry
for having offended thee

and I renounce all my sins
because I dread the loss of
heaven and the pains of hell."

Lucifer, we beg you to accept
the sacrifice of this child,

which we now offer to you,
so that we may receive
your blessings.

"O Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name."

[whimpers]

Oh, mighty lord Satan, we
worship you with all our hearts

and humbly submit to
your desires and commandments.

We believe,
with everlasting conviction,

that you are our creator,
our benefactor,

our lord and master.

"Give us this day,
our daily bread,

"and forgive us
our trespasses,

as we forgive those
who trespass against us."

We renounce Jehovah,
Jesus Christ,

and all their works.

And we declare to you,
lord Satan,

that we have no other wish
but to belong to you
for all eternity.

"And lead us not
into temptation,

"but deliver us from evil.

Amen."

Lucifer, we ask you
to bless her, the source
of our communion.

May her blood give us
strength and vitality

to do your bidding.

May it grant us
eternal life.

[gasping]

"May perpetual light
shine upon her."

By this blood, grant our beloved
mother eternal life, lord Satan,

so that she,
your faithful servant,

may dwell among us forever.

"Grant her eternal light."

By believing in you
may we live forever.

By this sacrifice of blood

grant us eternal life,
lord Satan.

"May her soul and all the souls
of the faithful departed

"by the mercy of God,
rest in peace.

Amen."

[grunts]

Luke!

Luke!

Come on!
Give us a hand!

Freeze!

Right where you are,
fellas.

Don't make
any fast moves.

Who are you?
A cop?

Never mind that!

I'll ask the questions.

Now, what'd you do
with my daughter?

Well...she might be
right in front of you.

[Cyrus laughs]
Is her name Gwen

or Nancy or Sharon?

Her name is Nancy.

You're in luck.

She's in the house.
Nice and comfy.

[laughs]

You go in there and get Nancy
and bring her out here.

How'd you find us?

I traced the van.

And I spied on you
this afternoon.

The sheriff knew who
you were when I gave him your
descriptions over the telephone.

Now you do like I tell you.

Go in and get Nancy.
Bring her out here.

[laughs]

It's all right, Nancy.

You're safe now.

Nobody's gonna hurt you.

Get over there!

You two are under arrest.

I'm taking you
to the sheriff's office.

Come on, honey.

Get moving!

[laughs]
[Bert]
Go ahead!

[Cynthia screams]
[Bert groans]

[laughs]

[gunshot]
[gasps]

[screams]

[gunshot]
[Abraham gasps]

[exhales]

[rattling]

[gasps]

[Cynthia gasps]
[Nancy pants]

[footsteps]

[groan]

[gasps]

[groans]

[gun clicking]

[loud moan]

[sighs]

[pants]

[shrieks]

¶ All the people
surrounding you ¶

¶ Don't want
to be your friend ¶

¶ All the hope
keeping you ¶

¶ Has finally
reached an end ¶

¶ And it's coming
round to midnight ¶

¶ You're all alone
and it's midnight ¶

¶ You're on your own
You're all alone ¶

¶ You can't go home anymore ¶

¶ You're on your own
You're all alone ¶

¶ And midnight's
at your door ¶