The Town That Dreaded Sundown : 2013 or 1976?

2013 or 1976?

Early on in the film a subtitle pops up stating that the film is set in 2013. But judging from most of the wardrobe and décor of the film I'd say it was set in the late 70's.. Am I the only one who noticed this?

Re: 2013 or 1976?

It's set in 2013 considering there are timestamps all throughout the movie saying so. How did you miss that? The film takes place over several weeks and there are tons of timestamps with 2013 in them. Plus the characters have cell phones, which didn't exist in the 70s. The killer also says "They didn't catch me 66 years ago." 1976 would not have been 66 years since the murders.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

You obviously didn't pay attention to the characters wardrobe? Or all the 70's model vehicles. Or the set décor? You might want to watch the film again.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

I don't care if some if some of the cars and styles were 70s-esque, it didn't take place in the 70s and that's my point. VCRs were not around in 1976 and the detective is watching the original on VHS at one point. Computers did not exist yet the main character uses a laptop several times, not to mention some characters had cell phones. Maybe you're the one who needs to watch it again. It may have been an intentional decision to make it look less modern but from the timestamps to the technology used, we were never supposed to completely buy into this being set in the 70s.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

This was a personal choice of the director's to show that the town hasn't aged much since when the first film was released, that the town is so fame starved that they have somehow found themselves in a time warp.



******
Nessarose:What's in the punch?
Boq:Lemons and melons and pears
Nessarose:Oh my!
******

Re: 2013 or 1976?

The whole 70's vibe gives a very odd feel to the film. Never watched a film in which everyone is dressed in 70's style clothing and all vehicles are from the 70's whereas at the same time 2013 flatscreens, computers and phones are commonplace.

Then there is this soft focus effect throughout the film which is also very 70's like (in photography this was really a fad in the 70's).

It looks like a whole town has gone through a worm hole including the cameraman. Something like that...

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Re: 2013 or 1976?

I am aware of that. I'm not referencing the 1976 film. I'm referring to the 2014 sequel, which obviously is set in 2013. But apparently the director wanted everyone in the film to look like 70's era weirdos.

Re: 2013 or 1976?


It's set in 2013 considering there are timestamps all throughout the movie saying so. How did you miss that?.....there are tons of timestamps with 2013 in them.


You are right but can you at least admit they used a lot of 70's style?

During the airport scene the women are all dressed in late 60's early 70's mini skirt ensembles. Pastel colors and all. The rest of the 70's esque-ness the OP already mentioned.

At first I wasn't sure if the airport scene was going to be a flashback yet it wasn't. Clearly this was intentional. And it worked for the feel of the film.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

i think youre talking about the airport scene in the very beginning, i thought the same thing.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

I'm talking about the whole movie haha... I coulda swore that the majority of the outfits were bell bottoms and other assorted hippie clothes.

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Re: 2013 or 1976?

I know right.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

Town full of hipsters.

In all honesty, this movie's a mess, so it was probably meant to be in the 70s, but then they did some reshoots or whatever and made it modern.

"You're entitled to your wrong opinion. That's fine."

Re: 2013 or 1976?

It was done that way on purpose. It is paying a homage to the original. The original movie's setting was in the 40s, yet everyone looked like they were in the 70s. It's also a figurative visualization that the town hasn't "moved on". In reality, the town does not look like that, but it's true that they haven't "let go" of the Phantom past.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

Well it was a rediculous and confusing way to frame the film. Addison timlins wardrobe was something you only see on extras from 1970's top of the pops shows. Same with her horrible hair. It just kept jolting me out of the story when i should have been immersed in it. Very poor idea.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

EndeAbgrunds, you are dead on. I laughed throughout the whole movie because of this. I knew it was supposed to be 2013, but apparently the wardrobe department didn't get the memo. The characters all looked like they just stepped off the set of the Partidge Family. Made no sense, at all.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

Noticed this too. Bates Motel is like that as well. For some reason a lot of the character dress right out of the 60's.

Re: 2013 or 1976?

My wife and I noticed that as well. It took us out of it on a few occasions. I see people suggesting it was on purpose, to show that the town hadn't moved on. But lets be honest, a town can refrain from moving on while still wearing modern wardrobe. If that was the purpose, it should have been communicated somehow.

Those are brave men. Lets go kill them.
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