#Shirly McCalla

[twenty-words-or-less]

The McPherson Tape

Summary: The Van Hesse family are celebrating the fifth birthday of their youngest member, Michelle (Laura Tomas), when they are terrorised by aliens. Youngest son Michael (Dean Alioto) records the entire evening.

Almost-lost found footage horror that proves that there’s still scares to be found in analogue media, despite extremely low budget.

Rating: 3.75/5

Photo credit: IMDb

[cinemacentral666]

The McPherson Tape (1989)

Movie #1,070 • WATCHLIST WEDNESDAYS

Proclaimed to be the first ever "found footage" movie and really who's to say otherwise? Let's be honest, that's the only reason me or anybody else is checking thing out.

There's a certain charm to no-budget VHS aesthetic but the early banter is unbearable — adult men acting like 12yo boys — which is more annoying than forced. I think the acting is fine for what this is, honestly. The aliens and spaceship are shot from a distance at night and alongside that VHS grain, you can't see how bad they look (but you can clearly guess: i.e., very very bad).

Kind of hilariously the director actually remade this a decade later with a bunch more money (comparatively speaking) that aired on UPN. Both movies are on YouTube here and here.

I don't think I'd necessarily recommend this unless you are a deep psycho for such things.

SCORE: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¾

[moremoviesplease]

The McPherson Tape a.k.a U.F.O Abduction (1989)

Dir. Dean Alioto

•Tommy Giavocchini, Patrick Kelley, Shirly McCalla•

[brokehorrorfan]

The McPherson Tape (also known as UFO Abduction) will be released on Blu-ray on April 28 via AGFA and Bleeding Skull. Vinegar Syndrome carries an exclusive, embossed slipcover (pictured below), limited to 1,000, for $24.99.

Often cited as the first found footage film, it's made to look like a genuine home movie. Written and directed by Dean Alioto, the 1989 film stars Tommy Giavocchini, Patrick Kelley, Shirly McCalla, Stacey Shulman, Christine Staples, and Laura Tomas.

Shot on VHS, The McPherson Tape has received a new transfer from the original 3/4" master tape. In addition to the original version, the 2017 director's cut is also included.

It features reversible artwork. Extras are listed below, where you can also see the aforementioned slipcover.

Special features:

UFO Abudction: 2017 director’s cut

Audio commentary by writer-director Dean Alioto (original cut)

1989 premiere introduction

Encounters TV segment

Fantastic Fest Q&A

On October 8th, 1983, the McPherson family gathered together to celebrate the 5th birthday of Michelle, the littlest member of their household. Everything was captured on VHS by Michael McPherson and his new camcorder. Including the alien invasion.

[gbhbl]

Horror Movie Review: The McPherson Tape (1989)

Cheap is all good and proper provided the movie at least entertains. Something that The McPherson Tape really fails to do.

One of the earliest examples of found-footage horror, The McPherson Tape (originally known as UFO Abduction) was written, produced, and directed by Dean Alioto. It stars Tommy Giavocchini, Patrick Kelley, Shirly McCalla, Stacey Shulman, Christine Staples and Laura Tomas. It’s 5-year-old Michelle’s birthday and the Van Heese family have gathered in the Connecticut mountains to celebrate her…

[visplay]

Chris: This short film is grainy, cannot see much in it, a precursor to the Blair Witch style cam horror films, Watch: When Free only for horror film fans interested in the grainy history of found footage horror films.

Richie: If was practically a no budget found footage film that could have been fun except for the characters constantly avoiding the situation by playing cards, birthday cake time, drinks later, Watch: When Fee if you are interested in early found footage type films.