Cropey By Joshua Zeman And Barbara Bancaccio: Film Analysis

This documentary directed by Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio follows the Staten Island urban legend ‘Cropsey’. Cropsey was originally thought to be nothing more than a boogeyman used by parents to scare children out of trouble. Rumored to be lurking near lakes and woods come nightfall, Cropsey took the form of an axe wielding, escaped mental patient who would prey on young children. According to Staten Island natives, exploring Cropsey’s home, Willowbrook Mental Hospital, was a popular pastime amongst the youth who thought him nothing more than myth. However, in the summer of 1987, when 12 year old Jennifer Schweiger disappeared, the legend of Cropsey resurfaced. This time, he posed a much realer threat to the children of Staten Island. With the community in outrage over the loss of one of their children,

With a criminal record on file, it is shown that he once kidnapped a bus full of 11 children before returning them home, realizing he could not carry out his plans alone. Despite this, some people held onto their doubts about Rand’s involvement with Julia. Acquaintances thought he might have been set up, and that these convictions were a classic example of authorities creating a culprit when the real one is nowhere to be found. Rand became the face of Cropsey, the real life boogeyman. As the case continued, authorities began making connections between him and children who went missing as far as 25 years before Julia. With Staten Island divided, Joshua and Barbara revisit their childhood in search of answers, exploring Rand's past and linking the cases of five missing children together. Though the camerawork is dated, some might say it only adds to the element of horror in this film, which might be unsuitable for the faint of heart. If you think you can stomach it, follow Joshua and Barbara on their terrifying investigation into the legend of