Post by lostinlimbo on Mar 3, 2017 4:22:47 GMT
Aka The Freakmaker
Plant horror!? You can call this horror/sci-fi strange, grim, over-the-top and tasteless. An offbeat concept, that’s a patchwork of ideas thrown together and executed with a straight-face (especially Pleasence’s stern, low-key performance), despite the silliness of what's unfolding. It's a low-budget (under $400,000) 70s British homage to the 1930s "Freaks". It even uses the iconic “One of us” dialogue. Just like the 30s film, real people with extraordinary deformities were cast with the likes of alligator woman, pretzel man and Popeye. Tom Baker was the only one in the group, under thick make-up. For most part it's mainly hidden by his wide brim hat and black coat. He delivered such a despicable, but also tortured performance.
Then added into the interesting screenplay are mad-scientist themes (ala Frankenstein) by throwing in genetic mutations. The makeup and special-effects are better than expected for such a limited production, as the imagination really showed in the grotesque human/plant mutations. Sure they looked rubbery, but that’s part of the fun. Also the set-designs were fairly detailed. Sometimes it was maybe a little too bright with its lighting in certain scenes and a touch on the talky-side with a script that had its lapses. Still there are moments of ghastly surprises, uncanny jazz score with sinister arrangements, authentic London locations and a real grimy atmosphere. Although I think it would have looked even better in black and white.
Plant horror!? You can call this horror/sci-fi strange, grim, over-the-top and tasteless. An offbeat concept, that’s a patchwork of ideas thrown together and executed with a straight-face (especially Pleasence’s stern, low-key performance), despite the silliness of what's unfolding. It's a low-budget (under $400,000) 70s British homage to the 1930s "Freaks". It even uses the iconic “One of us” dialogue. Just like the 30s film, real people with extraordinary deformities were cast with the likes of alligator woman, pretzel man and Popeye. Tom Baker was the only one in the group, under thick make-up. For most part it's mainly hidden by his wide brim hat and black coat. He delivered such a despicable, but also tortured performance.
Then added into the interesting screenplay are mad-scientist themes (ala Frankenstein) by throwing in genetic mutations. The makeup and special-effects are better than expected for such a limited production, as the imagination really showed in the grotesque human/plant mutations. Sure they looked rubbery, but that’s part of the fun. Also the set-designs were fairly detailed. Sometimes it was maybe a little too bright with its lighting in certain scenes and a touch on the talky-side with a script that had its lapses. Still there are moments of ghastly surprises, uncanny jazz score with sinister arrangements, authentic London locations and a real grimy atmosphere. Although I think it would have looked even better in black and white.
