Dead Birds (2004)

Henry Thomas plays William, leader of a gang of outlaws who rob a bank in Fairhope, Alabama, during the Civil War.

With one member wounded (Patrick Fugit as Sam), they decide to rest up at a deserted southern mansion before continuing their flight to Mexico.

Almost immediately, mistrust begins brewing between the gang of six, partly because William is bedding female gang member Annabelle (Nicki Aycox), sparking concerns that they’ll run off with the gold.

But soon, this small band will have bigger concerns than when they split up the loot.

The mansion they’ve taken refuge in isn’t only deserted, it’s haunted by ghouls created when its previous owner tried to bring his wife back from the dead.

Henry Thomas as William , leader of the outlaw gang, in Dead Birds (2004)

Nicki Aycox as Annabelle, William’s girl, in Dead Birds (2004)

Review:

Better than average entry into the horror-Western subgenre thanks to well-done special effects and a more talented cast than you’ll typically find in such ventures.

That said, lots of what happens is predictable. For instance, you just know racism will play a part as soon as you learn one of the gang members (Isaiah Washington as Todd) is black.

Mark Boone Junior and Michael Shannon — who’s especially convincing — round out the gang. Muse Watson plays the father who pays the price for loving his wife so much.

Patrick Fugit as Sam, the wounded gang member, in Dead Birds (2004)

Isaiah Washington as Todd, a member of the outlaw gang, in Dead Birds (2004)

Directed by:
Alex Turner

Cast:
Henry Thomas … William
Patrick Fugit … Sam
Nicki Aycox … Annabelle
Michael Shannon … Clyde
Muse Watson … Father
Mark Boone Junior … Joseph
Isaiah Washington … Todd
Harris Mann … Jeffy Hollister
Melanie Abramoff … Girl ghost
Donnie Biscoe … Black woman
Brian Bremer … Hysterical man
Russell Durham Comegys … Kormer
David Dwyer … MacCready
Michael Faella … Johnson
Steve Green … Boy ghost

Runtime: 91 min.

Michael Shannon as Clyde, a member of the outlaw gang, in Dead Birds (2004)

Mark Boone Junior as Joseph, a member of the outlaw gang, in Dead Birds (2004)

Memorable lines:

Joseph, biting down on a piece of the stolen loot: “It’s real. It’s real.”
William: “Don’t chew on the gold, Joseph.”

Todd, upon reaching the deserted plantation house: “This place is going to turn me into a little girl.”

William: “I’ve ridden with you a long time. I’ve saved your life more times than I can count.”
Todd: “That don’t make it yours.”

Muse Watson as the father in Dead Birds (2004)

Henry Thomas as William with Nicki Aycox as Annabelle in Dead Birds (2004)

Nicki Aycox as Annabelle with a knife to the throat of Todd (Isaiah Washington) during a tense moment in Dead Birds (2004)

Henry Thomas as William, the outlaw gang leader, in Dead Birds (2004)