{{short description|2011 film}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Use American English|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox film | name = The Scarlet Worm | image = The_Scarlet_Worm_Poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Michael Fredianelli | producer = Michael Fredianelli<br>David Lambert | writer = David Lambert | starring = Aaron Stielstra<br>Dan van Husen<br>Montgomery Ford<br>Brett Halsey | music = Aaron Stielstra | cinematography = Michael A. Martinez | editing = Michael Fredianelli | studio = Wild Dogs Productions | distributor = Unearthed Films | released = {{Film date|2011|01|07|Riot Cinema Film Festival}} | country = United States | runtime = 93 minutes | language = English }} '''''The Scarlet Worm''''' is a 2011 American Revisionist Western film directed by Michael Fredianelli.<ref>{{cite web|title=Abortion Meets the Wild West in THE SCARLET WORM |url=http://twitchfilm.com/2010/09/abortion-the-scarlet-worm.html|publisher=Twitch Film|accessdate=29 December 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120915063816/http://twitchfilm.com/2010/09/abortion-the-scarlet-worm.html |archive-date=2012-09-15 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was first released on January 7, 2011 at the Riot Cinema Film Festival. It stars Aaron Stielstra as a young mercenary who is sent to assassinate a cruel brothel owner. Funding for ''The Scarlet Worm'' was partially accomplished through a successful Kickstarter campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=FEATURE-LENGTH WESTERN: THE SCARLET WORM|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/966139435/feature-length-western-the-scarlet-worm|website=Kickstarter|accessdate=29 December 2013}}</ref>
==Plot== {{more plot|date=May 2020}} Print Harris works as a bounty hunter in early 1900s America. He has a flair for conducting his killings in a theatrical or "poetic" fashion to give his profession more meaning and legitimacy. A wealthy ranch owner Mr. Paul hires Print to eliminate a Dutch immigrant brothel owner Heinrich Kley who allegedly aborts the unborn children of his prostitutes, as well as to train a young ranch hand named Lee in the art of killing. Print decides to use Lee to infiltrate Kley's business and work for Kley as protection, purposefully luring a posse of cowboys into the brothel in order to murder them, and show off his usefulness. Kley immediately enlists Print to cover a wide variety of duties while entrusting him with his unique philosophy regarding business, religion, and the necessity of prostitution. Matters become complicated when Lee falls in love with one of Kley's prostitutes and informs her of the plan to murder him.
==Cast== * Aaron Stielstra as Print * Dan Van Husen as Heinrich Kley * Brett Halsey as Mr. Paul * Kevin Giffin as Hank * Derek Hertig as Lee * Eric Zaldivar as Gus * Rita Rey as Annabelle * Mike Malloy as Mathis Reed, Love Cowboy * David Lambert as William Hardtmuth, Cattle Rustler * Robert Amstler as The Rifleman * Michael Forest as Judge Hanchett * Ted Rusoff as Print's Attorney * Domiziano Arcangeli as Love Cowboy Leader
==Release== {{expand section|date=May 2020}}
===Home media=== The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on April 24, 2012 by Unearthed.<ref name="allmovie">{{cite web |title=The Scarlet Worm (2011) - Michael Fredianelli |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-scarlet-worm-v549235/releases |website=Allmovie.com |publisher=RhythmOne |accessdate=16 May 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160909000843/http://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-scarlet-worm-v549235/releases |archive-date=2016-09-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Reception== {{expand section|date=May 2020}} Bill Gibron from DVD Talk wrote, "While a bit long-winded in the exposition department and in need of a few dollars more, production-wise, ''The Scarlet Worm'' is still an intelligent and entertaining fringe experience."<ref name="gibron12">{{cite web |last1=Gibron |first1=Bill |title=The Scarlet Worm (Blu-ray) : DVD Talk Review of the Blu-ray |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/52618/scarlet-worm-the/ |website=DVDTalk.com |publisher=DVD Talk |accessdate=16 May 2020 |date=April 9, 2012}}</ref> Adrian Halen of ''HorrorNews.net'' praised the film's direction, script, and Stielstra's performance, calling it "a shining achievement".<ref name="halen12">{{cite web |last1=Halen |first1=Adrian |title=Film Review: The Scarlet Worm (2011) |url=https://horrornews.net/47067/film-review-the-scarlet-worm-2011/ |website=HorrorNews.net |accessdate=16 May 2020 |date=2012}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|1711510}} * {{Rotten tomatoes|the_scarlet_worm_2011}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scarlet Worm, The}} Category:2011 films Category:2011 independent films Category:2011 Western (genre) films Category:American Western (genre) films Category:American independent films Category:Films about abortion in the United States Category:Films about prostitution in the United States Category:2011 English-language films Category:2011 American films Category:English-language Western (genre) films Category:English-language independent films