Rating: D+
Dir: Jack Woods
Star: Edward Connell, Barbara Hewitt, Frank Bonner, Robin Christopher
This has been compared to Carnival of Souls, and I can see why, in that you can see the impact of both films, while… Well, they’re a bit shit. This wins out over Carnival, because it does at least have some remarkable stop-motion effects work, especially considering a reported budget of a mere eight thousand dollars. It makes sense, that a producer and uncredited director was Dennis Muren. He’d go on to win eight Visual Effects Oscars, plus a lifetime achievement one, including for his work on Jurassic Park, Terminator 2 and Return of the Jedi. Muren made this aged 20, during a summer vacation while studying business at Pasadena City College (Ed Begley Jr. was an assistant cameraman!), and sold it to Woods who shot extra footage for its release. [The original version is currently on YouTube]
Its influence is most apparent on The Evil Dead, with which it shares the same basic plot. A bunch of students visit a remote cabin, stumbling across an evil occult tome, and a portal to another dimension. However, similarities are at about the “crawled out of the primordial swamp” level. The gulf in execution, beyond the special effects, is glaring. While allowance should be made for Muren’s young age, Sam Rami was also 20 when shooting began on Dead. Dennis’s diversion to a career in special effects, rather than directing, was likely best for all concerned. Lead actor Connell, in the role of David Fielding, isn’t exactly Bruce Campbell either – his only role ever, according to the IMDb.
There’s so much here which is cringe, not least the way in which the female characters, Susan (Hewitt) and Vicki (Christopher, also her sole credit) are repeatedly sidelined by the men. “Wait here,” might be the most frequently-used line in this. The stupidity of the quartet is also epic, not least hanging round well after the point at which any sensible person would be making for the car-park. Frankly, I’d be leaving after meeting a park ranger called Mr. Asmodeus (played by Woods), but apparently, that’s just me. Of course, they need to stay, so that the film can happen. Not least the stop-motion and forced perspective effects, which are the real purpose of the film, and are its sole saving grace.
These begin with tentacles dismantling a cabin – I’d like to have seen whatever was on the end of them. However, the real meat is an extended battle against a giant, ape-like creature. If it’s not quite up to the standards of Ray Harryhausen, it’s far better than I expected, given the budget and experience (or lack thereof) of those involved. A red, winged demon and a not-so jolly green giant (top) follow, though the attack on David by a Waymo was a bit unexpected. To be clear, these don’t negate the huge badmovie aspects elsewhere, nor does it explain why this was released by the Criterion Collection. I do suspect there are more deserving films out there, worthier of preservation.