THE MUTATIONS (1973)



THE MUTATIONS US poster artwork


DONALD PLEASENCE.....Professor Nolter
TOM BAKER.....Lynch
BRAD HARRIS.....Brian
JULIE EGE.....Hedi
MICHAEL DUNN.....Burns
SCOTT ANTONY.....Tony
JILL HAWORTH.....Lauren

Directed by JACK CARDIFF
Written by ROBERT D. WEINBACH and EDWARD MANN
Produced by ROBERT D. WEINBACH


REVIEW BY KEVIN THOMAS


The Mutations (citywide) is a mediocre English horror film that's lots funnier than it is scary.

Ever the amusingly spooky eccentric, Donald Pleasence stars as a mad scientist convinced that the only way mankind can survive is if we're crossed with giant Venus-flytraps. (The film itself is sort of a mutant, an unfortunate blend of Sssssss minus its wit and Freaks without its compassion.)

Pleasence receives a steady supply of lovely female victims for his bizarre genetic experiments from a freaks carnival proprietor (Tom Baker) who is desperately eager for Pleasence to make normal the hideously deformed countenance that has earned him the description "the world's ugliest man." Pleasence's failures in the lab keep Baker's sideshow in a steady supply of "Lizard Women of Tibet."

Pleasence's weird collection of plants and the monsters he produces are ludicrously unconvincing, a description that applies to the film as a whole, especially Robert D. Weinbach and Edward Mann's script. It is depressing to note that this trash was directed by Jack Cardiff, the eminent cinematographer and much-praised director of Sons and Lovers.

Among Pleasence's victims are such lackluster players as Brad Harris, Julie Ege and Scott Antony. Baker and the late Michael Dunn, who plays his terrified partner, fare best. Rather tastelessly juxtaposed with the poorly made up Baker---not to mention Pleasence's creations---are some actual sideshow freaks.



Review is from the May 30, 1974 edition of THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.

Review © 1974 THE LOS ANGELES TIMES. All Rights Reserved.

Poster artwork © 1974 COLUMBIA PICTURES. All Rights Reserved.

Title and logo designed by Karen Rappaport




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