Nightwing and Shadow of the Hawk Review

4 star bats, wolves and exploding owls.

This brilliant package includes two classic seventies horror creature features.

Nightwing was originally released in 1979 and is written by Martin Cruz Smith (Gorky Park) and directed by Arthur Hiller (The Man of La Mancha, See No Evil, Hear No Evil).

Shadow of the Hawk was originally released in 1976 and directed by George McCowan (Seeing Things, Fantasy Island).

They are presented here on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK as part of the Eureka Classics series.

“Two weeks ago, you stood in the middle of the highway, naked, covered in rabbit’s blood and wearing a coyote head and damn near wiped out a camper van full of little old ladies on their way to Vegas.”

Nightwing tells us the story of Duran (Nick Mancuso – Call of the Wild, Under Siege), the only police presence on the Maski Indian Reservation. He begins to notice strange goings on, horses found dead and drained of their blood and soon after sheep found in the same state.

His mentor Abner (George Clutesi – Prophecy, Running Brave) is a deeply spiritual man, who believes the only way to save his people from the circling oil tycoons and modern development is to end the world and this is what he claims he has done.

When Abner dies, Duran finds himself in opposition with Phillip Payne (David Warner – Titanic, Tron), a scientist who fanatically hunts down and kills vampire bat colonies. He thinks one has settled in the local area and is causing the deaths. He also clashes with Chee (Stephen Macht – Graveyard Shift), leader from a neighboring tribe. Can they all set their differences aside in time to avoid disaster?

“It was my ancestors that put her to death. Now she wants to destroy me and my people.”

Shadow of the Hawk tells the story of Mike (Jan Michael Vincent – Airwolf, The Mechanic) a half American Indian who has moved away from his native village to live in the city. He begins to have strange visions, seeing a woman with flowing white hair, wearing a terrifying mask.

At the same time, his grandfather Old Man Hawk (Chief Dan George – The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Beachcombers) sets out on a long journey to the city. Upon arrival, he is attacked from back home in the village by an unknown assailant using ancient rituals.

He ends up in hospital where he meets Maureen (Marilyn Hassett – Two Minute Warning) a young reporter. She takes pity on him and takes him to meet up with his Grandson. He wants him to return to his roots to help him fight an ancient evil.

“I’m proud of you Little Hawk. You’ve used your hands bravely. We must go now.”

Both of these films are highly entertaining, as well as carrying a more serious message about the subjugation of native populations. Nightwing features some glorious animatronics and plenty of hilarious bat action, combined with a really good story. Shadow of the Hawk is pretty confusing, but Mike’s meteoric rise from city kid to bear wrestling, bat exploding super-shaman is undeniably fun to watch.

A great package and well worth adding to your collection.

“Waiting for the light to fade. Hungry for blood. Coaxing the big females to wake up and flex their night-wings to lead the colony out across the land, honing in on every living thing.”

Nightwing and Shadow of the Hawk are available to buy now on Limited Edition Blu-ray.