Johnny Vik aka The Hunted

 Johnny Vik (also known as The Hunted) is a 1977 movie about a military veteran who has post-war issues and gets into trouble with the local police after urinating in public. Apparently based on a true story, it is very similar to the "First Blood" Rambo movie starring Sylvester Stallone with less violence.

Filming was done in Custer and around the southern Black Hills. If you are familiar with those areas, you will surely recognize many locations. I was pleasantly surprised to identify the "old gym" in the old Custer High School where I spent many hours working on play productions, disc jockeying school dances and attending pep rallies. There's no telling how many times I've walked up and down the stairs outside the gym.

I've just been informed that a blu-ray version of the film may be coming soon and there is also work being done on a possible screening in Custer this summer.

Here's a fascinating look at movie making in South Dakota

Thanks to South Dakota Public Broadcasting's "Images of the Past" for featuring the history of movie making in our state. Watch it here -

https://watch.sdpb.org/video/images-past-south-dakota-film/

First look at Floating Horses now available

Some great historic film footage and interviews are featured in the first extended look at Floating Horse: The Life of Casey Tibbs. You can view it on the film's Kickstarter page.

This is looking like a great documentary!

I Am Sturgis fundraising underway

With the 75th anniversary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally looming this August and wild predictions of over a million bikers attending, there will no doubt be numerous film crews covering the event. I Am Sturgis is one of the first to be announced and looks to be a very good documentary.

 

A Kickstarter fundraising campaign is underway. Well-known South Dakota motorcycle builder Brian Klock serves as executive producer and a very talented crew of filmmakers are putting I Am Sturgis together. Check out how you can support the efforts at the I Am Sturgis Kickstarter page.

Dust of War coming to a store near you

On March 17, the South Dakota-made post-apocalyptic thriller "Dust Of War" will be available in Walmarts nationwide and at www.amazon.com.

Neither Wolf Nor Dog first trailer released

"Neither Wolf Nor Dog," an adaptation of Kent Nerburn's award-winning Native American novel, has released the first trailer for the film.

Filmed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, "Neither Wolf Nor Dog," is the story of a Lakota elder played by well-known South Dakota actor David Bald Eagle who convinces a white writer played by Christopher Sweeney to tell the story of his people.

The cast also includes Richard Ray Whitman, Lakota actor Tatanka Means and "Longmire" fans willl recognize Zahn McClarnon.

A Kickstarter campaign is underway to provide funds for finishing and distributing the film. The Kickstarter page is where you can check out the trailer and much more information about the movie. Scroll down to the second video on the page to see the trailer.

You can also keep up with the film's progress on the "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" Facebook page.

Actress Molly Ringwald appearing in Aberdeen

Organizers of the South Dakota Film Festival are bringing famous actress Molly Ringwald to Aberdeen on January 31, 2015 for a viewing of her 1985 hit "The Breakfast Club" and a discussion of her life and work. Full details are in the Aberdeen American News.

Photo by Fergus Greer