Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Neglected sixties shocker gets fine DVD treatment, November 17, 2001
Beast from Haunted Cave is one of the few Roger Corman-protege pictures that actually comes off better than some of Corman's own films (try watching Creature from the Haunted Sea some time). The plot, though derivative, holds your interest, and the performances are for the most part competent and believable. A few of the dialogue scenes are surprisingly fresh and natural compared to typical low-budget efforts of the time. But what really gives this movie its reputation are the creepy atmosphere and gruesome shocks effected by director Monte Hellman in several `set-piece' sequences (the tree in the forest bit and all the monster's-cave scenes). No explanation is given for the bizarre, surreal `beast' and none is needed; it's just there to give you nightmares. Watch this with the lights off for old-fashioned drive-in horror show effect. Synapse's DVD, if not `loaded' is still a fine showcase for the film. The movie is presented in both anamorphic widescreen and full frame versions and features the "extended" version with additional scenes (shot by Hellman) that were added for TV airings. The print is in very nice shape with very good to excellent tonal values, sharpness, and shadow/highlight detail; and little evident wear or speckling. Extremely watchable and light-years from most of the other butchered versions available on tape and DVD. Extras are comprised of trailer, chapter stops, and liner notes only (a commentary by Hellman would've made this a five-star disc), but the set is well worth the money for fans of 50s/60s horror cheapies.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beast of a Movie, October 14, 2000
This review is from: Beast from Haunted Cave [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I know this is a low budget quickie, and, as such, would probably be regarded by 'experts' as not having much cinematic merit. But I have to say that, speaking merely as an average cinemagoer, I liked it a lot. I found the storyline to be good, the acting and direction to be more than adequate, and Chris Robinson's spider monster to be genuinely scary. The film moves along at a good pace, and the climactic final ten minutes - in the cave - are very effective. All in all, a cut above the usual horror 'B' movie output of the period.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better "Beast", May 31, 2001
I highly recommend this new release over the previous "Killer Creature" double feature version. The quality of the DVD is very good, they give you the option of watching in either widescreen or the old box format and the audio is very clean. This version also has some missing scenes that I have not seen before.I wish this company well and look forward to thier next release. Tom Phillips
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
