10 Terrifying War Horror Movies You Need To See

Macho action maestro Walter Hill dipped his toe into horror with this chillingly effective tale set in the haunting surrounds of the Louisiana Bayou.

It’s an intense affair, which shares similarities with the much more lauded Deliverance. In truth, however, it’s arguably the better paced and more consistent film boasting moments of genuine tension and a killer soundtrack from Ry Cooder. Southern Comfort tells the story of a group of rough-and-ready U.S. Army National Guardsmen out on weekend manoeuvres in Louisiana.

Thinks go on the rails when this group try to steal some canoes from a few local Cajuns, firing blanks and causing mayhem in a bid to get a rise out of the natives. Soon they find themselves being hunted down by the angered residents, who have little other than bloody revenge on their mind.

It’s a male-dominated movie, laden full of weather-beaten character actors like Powers Boothe, Fred Ward and Keith Carradine, who help to add a level of authenticity to proceedings.

Southern Comfort made little impact upon release but has garnered a steady cult following in the years since, thanks to its riveting pace and the fact it serves as an effective allegory for America’s involvement in Vietnam – even if Hill does deny any intentional commentary.