31 Days of Halloween 2013: Legion of Terror (October 4th at the Chagrin Documenrary Film Festival)

[LEGION OF TERROR screens Friday October 4th at 9:30 pm at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival.]


Review by Bob Ignizio

Since 1985 The Legion of Terror have been working hard to scare and disturb northeast Ohio thrill seekers at various “haunted attractions”, mainly the Bloodview Haunted House. Rather than the assortment of pimple-faced teens wearing decked out in cheap rubber masks and fake blood you might expect, the Legion come from a wide range of backgrounds. Their common bond is a desire to take their performance and make-up skills to a higher level, creating genuine characters and scenarios rather than just jumping out and shouting, “boogity, boogity, boogity!” Members are not paid for their efforts, yet most stay for many years due to the camaraderie and, in many cases, the opportunity to engage in a little venting of pent-up frustrations in a controlled environment. Given how tightly knit the group has become over the course of its existence, it's no surprise that a fair amount of behind the scenes drama takes place as well.