Comedy,Horror
United States of America
Released in 1997, Uncle Sam is a horror film directed by William Lustig. The story follows U.S. Marine Sergeant Sam Harper, who is killed in action during the Gulf War. A decade later, on the Fourth of July, some teens accidentally set fire to the American flag covering Harper's burial site. This act seemingly resurrects the deceased soldier, who goes on a killing spree in his hometown of Twin Rivers, USA.
As the body count rises, the local police force, led by Sheriff Sam Harper's own brother, struggle to stop the undead soldier's rampage. Meanwhile, a young boy named Jody discovers he has a psychic connection to the vengeful soldier and may be the only one who can stop him.
Uncle Sam features a cast of genre veterans, including Isaac Hayes, Bo Hopkins, and P.J. Soles, as well as relative newcomers such as Christopher Ogden and Timothy Bottoms. The film was released straight-to-video and received mixed reviews, with some praising its social commentary while others criticized its low-budget effects and bland characters.
Overall, Uncle Sam is a patriotic horror film that aims to both scare and provoke its audience. Its themes of blind nationalism, PTSD, and American exceptionalism still resonate today, nearly 25 years after its initial release.
