MovieChat Forums > Ravenous (1999) Discussion > Colorado Cannibal - Alferd Packer

Colorado Cannibal - Alferd Packer

posted 15 years ago by rainman78588
6 replies | jump to latest

I watched a documentary on the History channel about Alferd Packer. I then assumed that this film was about that very legend.

Packer was a guide for 5 men in the hills of 1872 Colorado. About a decade later he was tryed and served time behind bars for slaughtering the men.

Legend has it. He killed them all to devour them, not just to survive. He claimed that another member of the group had done the killing and he shot the man in self defense. He had only ate his attacker to survive, because apparently the attacker had eatten the other 4 members.

All the victims were "BFT"ed to the head with a hatchet. Tool marks from a knife showed that the victims were in fact cannibalized. It still remains unknown wether Packer was honest and innocent, or that he ruthlessly slayed all 5 men just to eat them all.

I have yet to see this film, and was curious if anyone knew of this legend. Is this story based on any other true events? or; Does it even have anything to do with the Colorado Cannibal Legend?

[–] rainman78588 15 years ago

By the way; upon imprisonment through his release and till his death, Alferd Packer became a vegitarian.

[–] un4given66 15 years ago

I believe it was based loosely off of a mix of Alfred Packer (Colquhune/Ives), the Donnor Party (Colqhune's story) and the legend of Weendigo (Native American folklore).

"Jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks your an a**hole." - Father Dyer (Exorcist III)

[–] noob-669-125338 14 years ago

Yes, I think "Ravenous" was probably inspired by the tales of cannibalism in the period including Alferd Packer and the Donner Party. By the way, everyone should check out Trey Stone and Matt Parker's brilliant film "Cannibal! The Musical", also known as "Alferd Packer! The Musical", a musical and comedic retelling of the Alferd Packer story. Its very similar to "Ravenous" except its a musical and a hell of a lot sillier.

[–] LordOpie 14 years ago

And I think the video game Pacman was based on this too :D

[–] creatorofk 14 years ago

Don't forget the computer company, Packard Bell.

[–] wdflwr 13 years ago

If you can find a copy of "For Fear We Shall Perish" - it's the book written from the first hand accounts of the Donnor Party. It's a gruesome, but good book.