Gargoyles

Gargoyles

Year: 1972

Runtime: 74 mins

Language: English

Director: Bill L. Norton

HorrorFantasyTV MovieHorror the undead and monster classicsMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypse

After learning of a mysterious carcass uncovered in the Arizona desert, a father and his daughter transport the skeleton to a research site. Their actions awaken a hidden colony of gargoyles dwelling in nearby caves, which then descend on the pair and the surrounding town, turning the area into a terrifying siege.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Gargoyles (1972)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Gargoyles (1972). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1970s

The events unfold in a contemporary 1970s desert setting, complete with motorcycles, roadside motels, and a small-town police presence. The period emphasizes practical effects and a frontier-like vibe, grounding the fantasy in a recognizable era. Supernatural threats collide with mid-century science and intuition.

Location

Devil's Crossing, New Mexico, Uncle Willie's Desert Museum, motel, desert cave

Devil's Crossing is a remote desert town in New Mexico, serving as the sun-baked backdrop for the story. Uncle Willie's Desert Museum anchors local folklore with a horned skeleton and tales of demons. The action shifts between a dusty motel, the surrounding desert, and a cavern where the gargoyles nest.

🏜️ Desert town 🧭 Desert museum 🏨 Desert motel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

Main Characters – Gargoyles (1972)

Meet the key characters of Gargoyles (1972), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Diana Boley (Jennifer Salt)

Diana is the practical, scientifically minded daughter of Dr. Mercer Boley. She instinctively seeks rational explanations but also embraces the danger when the gargoyles threaten her father and the town. Her courage and curiosity make her the human link between science and myth.

🎯 Protagonist 🧠 Scientist 👩‍🔬 Daughter of scientist

James Reeger (Scott Glenn)

James Reeger is a motorcycle-riding skeptic who starts out doubting the Boleys but grows into a reluctant ally in the search for Diana. He embodies the rugged, impulsive frontier ethos of the town. His actions culminate in a self-sacrificing moment against the gargoyle threat.

🏍️ Biker 🧭 Skeptic

Dr. Mercer Boley (Cornel Wilde)

Dr. Mercer Boley is a dedicated scientist traveling with his daughter for field research. He initially dismisses the horned skeleton as a hoax but remains fiercely protective and determined to uncover the truth. His adaptive approach helps guide the group through crises.

🧪 Scientist 👨‍👧 Father

Uncle Willie (Woody Chambliss)

Uncle Willie runs the Desert Museum and sells the locals on legends of demons. He bursts with colorful tales that lure visitors, blurring the line between myth and science. His stubborn pride about the artifacts drives much of the early tension.

🏜️ Storyteller 🎭 Eccentric

Mrs. Parks (Grayson Hall)

Mrs. Parks is the alcoholic motel owner whose complaints set the mood for late-night disturbances. She represents the vulnerable, everyday people caught between unfamiliar terror and the surface-level normalcy of a roadside town.

🏨 Hotelier 🎭 Eccentric

Gargoyle Leader (Bernie Casey)

The Gargoyle Leader is a large, winged predator with a calculating mind. He explains the gargoyles' long-incubated existence and vows to end the human age, orchestrating attacks and campaigns against the town.

👹 Monster Leader 🧭 Strategic

The Gargoyle Queen (Vic Perrin)

The Gargoyle Queen is the cold, jealous counterpart to the leader who runs the nest and commands the eggs. She clashes with Diana and plays a pivotal role in the creatures' assault on the human world.

👑 Queen 🧊 Cold-hearted

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

Major Themes – Gargoyles (1972)

Explore the central themes of Gargoyles (1972), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗿 Ancient vs Modern

The film pits ancient, mythic gargoyles against a modern American desert town, highlighting the clash between folklore and science. Dramas hinge on whether humanity can outsmart or outlast an age-old predator. The landscape of Devil's Crossing becomes both battleground and witness to this collision.

🧬 Science vs Myth

Dr. Boley's scientific curiosity collides with centuries of legends about demons and monsters. He treats the horned skeleton as data to be analyzed rather than a miracle to fear. Diana's involvement—and her reading from dusty texts—further blurs lines between empirical study and supernatural belief.

🛡️ Sacrifice

Characters face a choice between self-preservation and the greater good as the gargoyles threaten the town. Reeger's ultimate sacrifice halts the immediate threat and delays the gargoyles' invasion. The ending frames sacrifice as a necessary cost of protecting humanity's future.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

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Gargoyles Summary

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Gargoyles Summary

Gargoyles Timeline

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Gargoyles Timeline

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