If you’ve been watching Sam Elliott in “Landman” and thinking, “I need more of that gravelly voice in my life,” you aren’t alone. While most of us associate him with cowboy hats, dusty trails, and Road House, Elliott actually took a detour into the macabre back in the ’70s.
If you’re looking for a deep cut to watch, here’s a look at Sam Elliott’s brush with the supernatural.
From Westerns to Frogs?
After getting his start in classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Elliott took a detour in 1972 with Frogs. He played a photographer watching nature—specifically, a very angry swamp—take its revenge on a wealthy Southern family. It’s as campy and “eco-horror” as it sounds, but it paved the way for his next spooky project.
Frogs is an eco-horror movie. It sees a wealthy family’s celebration fall into chaos when creatures from the swamp emerge and dish out some serious karma.
The Legacy (1978)
Six years later, Elliott starred in The Legacy. It wasn’t exactly a critical darling, but it’s a fascinating “curio” for horror fans today.
Elliott plays Pete Danner, an L.A. interior decorator who travels to a creepy English manor with his wife (played by Katharine Ross, his real-life wife). They think it’s for a job, but they quickly realize they’re actually part of a group of heirs being summoned by a mysterious relative.
In true slasher/supernatural fashion, the heirs start dying in bizarre ways. One of the most infamous scenes involves a character getting trapped in a swimming pool—it’s genuinely unsettling and still holds up as a “core memory” for anyone who saw it back then.
Seeing the ultimate American cowboy skulking around a foggy British estate is a total trip. Plus, Roger Daltrey (lead singer of The Who) is in the cast for some reason, which only adds to the “what am I watching?” charm.
Fun Trivia
The Legacy was the directorial debut of Richard Marquand, the man who would go on to direct Return of the Jedi just five years later.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a Sam Elliott completionist or just love 70s horror with a bit of a “fish-out-of-water” vibe, The Legacy and Frogs are a must-watch. And to be honest, I would watch Elliot read a phone book for two hours to hear his voice, so you know I’m firing up my TV right now. Unfortunately, The Legacy isn’t available to stream, but you can find the DVD ($8.06) on Amazon. Frogs is available on Prime Video and Tubi.
