A series of brutal murders targets cheerleaders in a town situated along the Ohio River in Western Pennsylvania. The question is, who’s responsible—a creepy janitor at the local high school, a neighborhood tough guy, or someone else entirely? “The Majorettes,” an American film from the mid-1980s, initially appeared in Italy in 1986, then the UK in 1987, and finally reached the United States in 1988 through video release. Produced with unknown actors and a budget of just $85,000, it has some noticeable flaws—occasional audio problems, a deliberately over-the-top preacher character, and moments of stiff performances. However, if you can accept these imperfections, the film successfully incorporates the key elements typical of its genre. The screenplay is strong and offers unexpected twists, adapted from a book by John A. Russo; the filming locations are well-chosen; the killings are quite violent; the blood effects look realistic; there's some tense action in the final section that also catches you off guard; the main performers do an adequate job considering their lack of experience; and the actresses portraying the female characters stand out considerably. Among them, Joy Deco as one of the cheerleaders is a personal favorite, though Dana Marie Maiello (playing Barbara, the swimmer) certainly deserves recognition too. Sueanne Seamens (as Judy) also makes an impression. The film’s length is 1 hour and 32 minutes and was filmed in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania—roughly a 25-minute drive northwest of Pittsburgh and close to the Ohio border—along with O'Hara/Guyastua, situated northeast of Pittsburgh across the Allegheny River. GRADE: B/B-

Source on TMDB