ISLAND OF TERROR (1966)
Article 2385 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 10-6-2007
Posting Date: 2-22-2008
Directed by Terence Fisher
Peter Cushing, Edward Judd, Carole Gray

When corpses without bones start appearing on an island on the coast of Ireland, two scientists from London are brought in to investigate. They discover that the cause of the deaths are the presence of bone-sucking monsters that were created in a cancer research lab on the island.

This movie doesn’t appear to be a particular favorite, and I can see why; the script is weak at points and has its share of cliches (including the woman who insists on coming along and then spending most of her time too scared to be of any use). But I’ve always had a real fondness for this one, because I find the basic premise incredibly creepy, and there’s something truly alarming to see human beings reduced to blobby hunks of flesh. Peter Cushing and Edward Judd do fine jobs as the researchers, and the monsters are certainly unique looking, though they are a little slow and I just can’t see how they could climb up trees. In some ways, the movie is similar to THE KILLER SHREWS , and I’ve always liked the idea of hordes of monsters causing havoc in an isolated place such as an island. The cast also features Niall MacGinnis, who I’ve always remembered from his role as Karswell in CURSE OF THE DEMON .