Customer Reviews

Fiend Without a Face (The Criterion Collection)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Is there ANY fan of science fiction or horror movies who grew up in the 60's and *doesn't* remember this midnight snack? The odd thing to me is that someone at Criterion seems to have the same taste in odd genre movies from the 50's as I do - and anyone ensuring that movies like this, and even more especially "Carnival of Souls", deserves a round of applause. (Let's face it, this movie used to be found in the "Drive In Flicks" section of the rental places if they even HAD it.)

The video quality is as good as we can expect. It is certainly sharper and brighter than other recent presentations of the film, but unfortunately, there ARE sequences where the scratches and wear obviously could not be spirited away digitally. I sincerely doubt that any fan of the movie will mind; this isn't Bergman or Fellini we're talking about! (In the opening scene, an Air Force office is suggesting to his fellow officer that perhaps "sleep would be better than all the benzedrine you're taking." The other fellow proceeds to slam down another few bennies....only in the movies, folks!)

The extras include trailers from several other movies produced by Gordon, stills, production notes, and a full-length commentary by Gordon (executive producer) with Bruce Eder. There's a LOT of discussion about American actors in England, aiming for the American market, working with the German special effects duo, and even some very interesting background on the original "Weird Tales" story that was the basis for the film. Unfortunately, this is less a "commentary" than an interview - the discussion between the two is interesting, but almost NEVER has anything to do with what is happening in the movie, and frankly I can't recommend trying to watch the flick while listening to this track. This is quite a bit different from ANY other "commentary" I've come across, and I thought it really needed to be mentioned.

Once again, Criterion has set a gold standard for quality and value in a release. Oh, HOW I wish they could release Wise's "The Haunting"....

Forget the title, "Fiend Without a Face" is the one with the brain monsters. That is all you have to tell people for them to go, "Oh, yes! That movie! I remember that movie!" This 1958 British horror film might not be beloved, but is certainly memorable because of the stop-motion animation that is used to have the monster, which look like big brains with horns and a spinal chord tail that they use to move around and strangle their victims (these must have been partially responsible for inspiring the face-huggers from the "Alien" series). This is also one of the goriest films of that decade, which was probably a way of covering up for the fact that you had actors screaming and writhing in pain with a big fake brain monster taped to their heads sucking out their brains.

Our tale is set at an American military base in Canada (interesting to see a British film play about American-Canadian tensions like this). The locals start dropping dead, screaming in horror, and the thinking is that it has to have something to do with the base, maybe that "atomic radar" thing they are working on, but probably just some sort of psychotic American G.I. (and this years before Vietnam, please note). But Major Jeff Cummings (Marshall Thompson), second in command at the base, has his suspicions about Professor Walgate (Kynaston Reeves), a retired expert in psychic phenomenon. But a visit to the Professor's house reveals one of those great experiments gone horribly wrong that we so often find at the heart of films like this one.

The title "Fiend Without a Face" comes because for most of the movie the monsters are invisible (Steven Spielberg used this same approach with more success in "Jaws" and in both cases the rationale was more special effects problems that artistic sensibilities). I am not arguing this is a great horror film, but for a B-movie it does try to deliver for the final act. Yes, the killer mutant brains being invisible is problematic (a polite way of saying stupid, boys and girls), but there is something inherently appealing about the little killers once they pop up and starting hopping around in their cute little feeding frenzy. You can also have fun trying to figure out what there are more of in this film: horror movie clichés or killer brains (okay, clichés is the correct answer, but have fun counting both anyhow).

I gotta figure doing PR for the gooberment's atomic energy program in the 1950s must have been one hell of an uphill battle as it seemed every other horror or science fiction thriller released in the day involved something either getting embiggened, shrunken, or just plain mutated and messed up in general, as depicted in this classic British made feature Fiend without a Face (1958), due to radiation derived from our relatively new found ability to smash them atoms. Directed by Arthur Crabtree (Horrors of the Black Museum), the film stars Marshall Thompson (It! The Terror from Beyond Space, First Man Into Space, "Daktari"), Kynaston Reeves (RX for Murder), and Kim Parker (Fire Maidens from Outer Space). Also appearing is Terry Kilburn (Swiss Family Robinson), Peter Madden (Dr. Terror's House of Horrors), and Stanley Maxted (Strange Awakening).

As the film begins we're at a U.S. Air Force base in Canada and we see a lone guard at night on the perimeter. After hearing some strange noises from the nearby woods followed by a blood curdling scream, the guard investigates and finds a corpse of a local man with a terror-stricken expression on his face. Major Jeff Cummings (Thompson) wants an autopsy performed on the deceased, but the man's sister, Barbara Griselle (Parker), is unwilling which causes problems as the local population isn't too keen on having an atomic powered military instillation in the area (there's quite a bit of fear about radiation). If that wasn't enough, there's also an issue with the experiments being performed at the base, those involving boosting radar capacity (to spy on those evil Reds) through the use of atomic energy in that every time they juice things up, there's a mysterious power drain...hmmm...anyway, after a couple more deaths, the rubes get even more antsy, and an autopsy reveals the victims perished as a result of being de-brained, i.e. having their brains sucked out of their heads. Eventually Jeff's investigation leads him to a reclusive, eccentric scientist in the area, one Barbara works for named Professor Walgate (Reeves), who's an authority on psychic phenomena with his current research involving thought materialization. Turns out the professor is involved with not only the bizarre deaths but also the mysterious power fades at the base's reactor, eventually spilling the beans and warning those in charge they must shut down the atomic plant immediately, as he's accidentally unleashed an invisible menace straight from a nightmare, one that feeds on atomic energy and apparently gray matter, and also has the ability to multiply and become more intelligent...crikey! Soon the town and the base are under siege, threatening not only the lives of everyone in the area, but also Jeff's chances to pitch woo at Barbara...

I enjoyed this film a lot as it has a tight story and wastes little time on extraneous material (the film runs about 74 minutes). One aspect of the story I really liked was how the creatures weren't actually a direct result of radiation, but more so a nasty by product of someone using atomic energy within his own fantastic experiments...it might sound like I'm splitting hairs here, but to better understand what I mean you really need to see the movie. We don't actually get to see the creatures until about an hour in, but when we do, it's worth the wait. I won't go too much into what they actually were or look like, but they're pretty hideous along with being very agile. The characters are fairly cut and dry, as are the performances. I thought most all the actors did well, and Marshall Thompson, who's got about the biggest forehead I've ever seen, seemed a suitable choice for the lead along with the beautiful Kim Parker, who left the biz not too long after the release of this film. I was kind of annoyed with the character of Professor Walgate, the guy ultimately responsible for the `ghastly business'...first off he steals power from the atomic reactor and subsequently screws up their experiments, then he creates something which escapes his control, ends up killing a whole mess of people and allows the blame to be directed elsewhere, and finally he himself nearly kills someone (inadvertently, so he later claims) who gets too close to his secret...once the beans are spilt, through an extensive expository sequence, he does seem to show remorse for his actions, but it seems like the remorse of someone who's only remorseful after being caught. Nice guy, huh? I suppose one could argue he eventually paid the price for his folly into the unknown, but for me his penalty was hardly equal to that which he wrought...my favorite scene in the film comes near the end, as a small group fortify themselves in the professor's home against an onslaught of creatures, one of those among the group the deputy mayor, who has a most excellent freak out one the creatures manage to get in...there was one aspect of the story that felt really screwy...near the end it's decided the only way to stop the horror is to shut down the atomic reactor. The problem I had was the method in which they decided to do so, which involved using high explosives. Now I'm no expert in atomic sciences, but it seemed to me they were taking a mighty big chance in doing what they did...if something like that was tried in real life I'd expect catastrophic results (does anyone remember a little thing called Chernobyl?). Ah well, the 1950s were a much simpler time in that things were generally more cut and dry, or so I'm assuming since I wasn't even alive back then. All in all this is a fun, better than average 1950s sci-fi horror flick, one that I'm glad I own and watch on a fairly regular basis.

This fully restored and remastered Criterion Collection DVD release of Fiend Without a Face features a very clean and sharp widescreen (1.66:1) transfer, one that exhibits the occasional minor flaw. The Dolby Digital mono audio comes through very well, with no complaints. There's a slew of extras including an audio commentary track with an informative interview between executive producer Richard Gordon and writer Tom Weaver, along with an illustrated essay on British science fiction and horror by film historian Bruce Eder, still photographs w/commentary, vintage advertisements and lobby cards, liner notes by Bruce Kerwin, and English subtitles. Also included are theatrical trailers for this film, along with others for The Haunted Strangler (1958), Corridors of Blood (1958), First Man into Space (1959), and The Atomic Submarine (1959).

Cookieman108

I feel I should mention things do get pretty gooey once the action really kicks in, so if you're squeamish, you've been warned...

This is an excellent movie for anyone who's a fan of movies such as "Night of the Living Dead". Released about 10 years earlier and a product of the British sci-fi/horror period of the late 50's, the special effects are excellent for its time. Kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the movie and had a very interesting (albeit rather unrealistic) plot. The ending was perhaps one of the best parts of the film, so it's definitely not a letdown, and at 74 minutes of length, the movie definitely does not drag. Some nice death scenes in this one too, and the acting is actually decent. If you're a fan of this genre, this is DEFINITELY worth owning. Criterion really packs in the special features too, as usual. Digitally remastered - picture and sound quality are outstanding given the age of the film.

What a trully fantastic little movie this is, a real SPFX shocker in its day, and a great story with some fantastic character acting. TV in the UK used to show this a lot in the 1980's but it has been missing for a few years, and it is one of my faves, so now thanks to the team at Criterion I can own this peice of trully bizarre sci-fi cinema history. The extras are great and the commentary is very informative, also there is an essay a sort of potted history of UK sci-fi movies from this era. The transfer is crisp apart from a few scratches on the stock film used, particularly the old plane shots and the radar base, but this is mere trifle compared to the overall mastery involved in the plot and effects, which are for the time pretty incredible to say the least. If you want any more proof of sci-fi from the golden age being intelligent, thought provoking and damn right scary then go and buy this movie, and be very very impressed....

Jeff Shannon sums up my feelings with those 2 words, but if you enjoy reading shameless praise and rantings feel free to continue:

This film, which I first saw when I was about 8 (back when they actually had things like triple-features in theatres), is just about the creepiest thing I've seen TO DATE. I'm not talking gore here (which it has in abundance and works great in B&W): I'm talking 'nightmare quality' story and cinematography. I saw this available in Criterion format and knew it was time to buy.

Now you might think I'm squemish, going all sissy over a 50's B&W British horror film - almost a misnomer in and of itself!
But I'm here to tell you I found and continue to find this film more chilling than 'Dawn of the Dead', 'Maniac', 'The Thing' (both versions) or any Lucio Fulci gorefest. Why?
Everything was just right, from the stop-motion of the brains slithering across the lab floor to the diharettic sounds of blood burping from thier perforated corpses. Eeeeesh. I get chills just thinking about it.

Not that it will stop me from watching it again this weekend...

Here's a 50's creature feature that still packs an effective punch. It's one of my favorite creature features of the era and holds up surprisingly well. This independently produced British film , picked up by MGM in 1958, follows a now overly familiar formula but is more consistently paced than most films of its genre and era, and delivers a once extremely (and still pretty) gory ending-an ending which surely was part of the inspiration for scenes in George Romero's Night of the Living Dead a full decade later.

This was a film that gave me childhood nightmares after I first watched it one Saturday night on Chiller Theater in the early 60's. I didn't realize then, that this little low-budget film from the 50's was considered one of the best of the 50's british sci-fi's and compares to the best of the Quartermas films and easily out gores them. The Quartermas films (which were re-makes of the British t.v. series) starred Brian Donleavy and gave the fledgling Hammer Films its first taste of success. Hammer would later abandon science fiction for gothic horror and even greater success. Other independent British film-makers meanwhile were producing science fiction and horror films. Several were copy-cats of American films. The American, 'Beast from 20,000 Fathoms' was turned into the British film, 'The Giant Behemoth' a few years later. Giant Ants thrilled Americans in the classic THEM !, so why not use that idea in a low budget British film called 'The Cosmic Monsters' (with F. Troops Forest Tucker). Just as a flood of low budget horror films produced by AIP, Corman, Bert I Gordon (no relation) and others were being made, producer Richard Gordon was able to make a few films with Boris Karloff. First he made The Haunted Strangler and later he would make Corridors of Blood. He would then make a couple films with another American actor named Marshall Thompson. Thompson had appeared in several films including IT! The Terror from Beyond Space a low budget sci-fi creature feature which wound up being a major inspiration for Alien. Producer Gordon would make Fiend Without A Face and later First Man Into Space with Thompson.

The script for Fiend .... is by Herbert J. Leder and is based on Amelia Reynolds Long's story The Thought Monster, published in the famed pulp horror magazine WEIRD TALES way back in 1930.

Fiend Without A Face was produced by the British Richard Gordon, filmed mostly in England, set in Canada (close to the American Border), starred an American actor (Marshal Thompson), and wound up being distributed by MGM .

I won't spoil the film except to tell you the finale is a rather gory, gross-out which still packs a bit of a punch after all these years. The romantic aspects of the film are down-played and there is a wonderful subtext throughout the film for those who need a little more substance to savor.

There is a very familiar scene in the film where windows are boarded up against an onslaught of the crawling, leaping, flying creatures. You'll know exactly where George Romero got the idea for several of his most effective shots in Night of the Living Dead.

The finale' remains an impressive blend of effective camera work and revolting sound effects. Obviously the stop motion animation effects are quite primitive next to what is possible with CGI (Computers) today, but I still enjoy the other-worldly feel these type of Willis O'Brien/ Ray Harryhausen school of effects bring to the film. The special effects were the combined work of three people. Peter Neilson directed some second unit special effects set-ups in Canada , while Baron Von Nordhoff and K.L. Ruppell executed the stop motion animation work. For it's day it was state of the art and I'm sure grossed out the audiences of its day every bit as much (perhaps even more) then something like Hannibal grosses out audiences today. Critics in the late 50's in fact complained that the film was too gruesome and unpleasant!

The film is much better than your average 50's creature feature for several reasons. First, none of the acting is wooden or overly phony. Second, the brief romantic sub-plot does not side-track the film at all. It's handled in a far less corny and cliche'd manner than usual. The script is also better than you'd expect and has a minimum of corn-ball lines. Even the explanations of how these creatures came into existence is handled quite well. Oh there are dated elements to the film to be sure. The low budget of the film is also obvious in several ways. The military base security isn't very impressive for instance. The final solution is also amusingly naive but forgiveable when you take into the account the film was made in 1958-a time when the space age had barely begun and the real dangers of atomic radiation were still being discovered.

The film is a very economical 74 minutes long. It adheres to a well known formula but it remains a very effective film bereft of most of the flaws that plague low budget creature features of the 1950's. It's dated, but the script, acting, direction and effects are effective enough to entertain modern audiences. The director was Arthur Crabtree who began his career as a cinematographer and made films such as The Madonna of the Seven Moons (1944) and Horrors of the Black Museum (1959). Fiend with a Face isn't a film you watch and enjoy because of its high camp value but because it's still a suspenseful well done film.

It might seem rather remarkable that a low budget creature feature would get the full Criterion red carpet treatment--but it shouldn't. This is one of the finest examples of an effective and for its day quite controversial film that was imported from England. Suspend your disbelief, don't expect 1990's effects and have a wonderful time. You might even find the film is effective enough to give you a few chills. Really !!

Christopher Jarmick,is the author of The Glass Coccon with Serena F. Holder a critically acclaimed, steamy suspense thriller.

FIRST THOUGHTS: FRIEND WITHOUT A FACE -- NO MISPRINT!

When I first saw the ad posters in the lobby of our neighborhood theatre in 1958 [or 59] at first glance I thought the posters read, "Friend Without A Face"! I was, in fact, just learning to read, but the grotesque images on the poster needed no words. Naturally, I returned to the theatre, and to my shock, surprise, and delight, found a little gem, very similar to "The Crawling Eye", that I had seen and enjoyed the year before.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Some invisible force is sucking the brains out of the local citizens who live near a secret air-force base. What they are doing is a secret, but it is no secret that a nuclear reactor is located on the base. The locals think that nuclear energy is somehow to blame.

THEN THE PLOT THICKENS: [warning- plot spoilers below]

First it's just one man, and no autopsy is permitted due to the family's wishes. Then it's a married farm couple, and the mayor too. Now the townspeople want the air force out of their town and pronto.

The second popular theory, that it's some "crazed soldier" from the base, yields nothing but still another casualty: this time it's the rugged loudmouth constable who returns to the town hall during an emergency meeting as a wailing zombie with a crazed-psycho look to him. His brains had been sucked out.

Finally, we get to closer to the truth as we discover what the retired professor Wingate has been up to. This is where the story starts to distinguish itself, and the special-effects are used to excellent effect when the creatures began to become visible!

Very similar in motives and appearances to "The Crawling Eye", these monsters are, but their source is not outer space. They are some kind of brain-sucking vampires that have been created by a combination of Dr. Wingate's experiments in materializing human thoughts, and the availablility of vast quantities of nuclear energy for them to tap, and thus become physically tangible, and fiendishly menacing to the human race.

AND LIKE ALL GREAT CULT CREATURE FEATURES:

We have a climax, where the creatures become visible, and attack the few remaining living people so that they [the creatures] can multiply. The ammunition for the few handguns is limited, and the options are few and risky. In the last 12 minutes of this film, an epic stop-action animation attack that is truly incredible, pushes this film to the top of the 1950s creature feature heap, right alongside "The Blob" and "The Crawling Eye".

-----*- THE CAST:

Kynaston Reeves - Prof. Walgate
Marshall Thompson - Maj. Jeff Cummings
Terry Kilburn - Capt. Chester
Michael Balfour - Sgt. Kasper
Gil Winfield - Dr. Warren
Shane Cordell - Nurse
James Dyrenforth - Mayor Hawkins
Kim Parker - Barbara Grizell
Peter Madden - Dr. Bradley
R. Meadows White - Ben Adams
Robert MacKenzie - Const. Gibbons

ABOUT THE DVD:

This Criterion Collection DVD is a huge improvement on the VHS that we all have had to endure prior to this release. Digitally remastered, and put into a semi-Widescreen format, this film looks about as good as it did when I first saw it 48 years ago and includes all the scenes in their entirety.

SPECIAL FEATURES: LESS THAN USUAL FOR CRITERION COLLECTION DVDs

--*- The commentary was OK, but not specific to the film, however, though somewhat relevant to the genre.

--*- The slide show was the "reel" treat among the features, and included alot of interesting, and educational [for interested parties] material about the "Fiend without a Face", and also many other British sci-fi/horror genre films of the 1950s. I believe it is referred to as, the "Illustrated essay on British sci-fi/horror filmmaking by film historian Bruce Eder".

--*- There was also a short interview/conversion about the film.

--*- Neat trailers of this film as well as some other popular cult films of the genre and era, such as, "The Atomic Submarine"!

--*- English subtitles are available and may be selected from the menu.

BOTTOM LINE: THIS IS A FUN FILM!

The early creature feature genre that melded sci-fi with horror reached its zenith with "Fiend Without A Face". Unlike most of Criterion's other DVD releases, this is not a great film. However, it is a classic representation of an artistically, and thematically superior creature feature genre film whose sole purpose was light entertainment. In this respect, there is greatness in this old B-film for many of us to again enjoy.

ALSO CONSIDER SEEING:

-----*- THE BLOB, 1958, Irvin Shortess Yeaworth, Jr. - Director
-----*- THE CRAWLING EYE, 1958, Quentin Lawrence - Director
-----*- THE TINGLER, 1959, William Castle - Director
-----*- THE KILLER SHREWS, 1959, Ray Kellogg
-----*- THE GIANT BEHEMOTH, 1959, Eugene Lourie - Director
-----*- THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS, 1953, Eugène Lourié - Director

This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

In this film, invisible monsters (which later become visible) shaped like human brains, are attacking people on and near an American military base in a rural area of Manitoba, Canada. The deaths are initially blamed on radition from the power reactor on the base but when an autopsy reveals the brain and spinal cords are missing from the victims, they look elsewhere.

The film, made entirely in the UK, looks convincingly like North America. The special effects, made with stop-motion photography are well done and the acting is also typical on 50's B horror flicks.

The Criterion DVD has plenty of special features. There is a theatrical trailer for the film plus four other films. "First Man into Space" "Haunted Strangler" "Corridors of Blood" and "Atomic Submarine." There are also images of lobby cards and newspaper ads for the film, an essay by Bruce Eder prodution photos, and a feature length conversation/commentary by Tom Weaver and the film's executive producer Richard Gordon.

Following on the heels of THE BLOB, CRITERION steps up once again and delivers. And again, like THE BLOB before it, FIEND WITHOUT A FACE, a surprising, inventive and effective film, is given the kind of treatment and attention that most movies on DVD could only hope to receive. A new widescreen transfer, and for the most part a clear and sharp image (there are artifacts throughout this film - a few at the start that betray the age of the film - but never enough, often enough, to leave you feeling cheated in any way), solid sound and a host of extra's that have become a staple with most CRITERION releases. Only draw back - no poster like THE BLOB had (shame). For me the highlight of this whole package has to be the interview/commentary with executive producer Richard Gordon, hosted by and featuring Tom Weaver - whose work on THE WOLF MAN and THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON are some of the best commentary tracks avaliable. Weaver is insightful, quick witted, sharp - he knows his background and the people who worked there - and coupled with both the film and Gordon - it's without equal. Worth the price alone - but as luck would have it you get everything else thrown in. FIEND is a excellent film. Solid, always moving forward, never a dull moment - and like THE BLOB, presents you with a compelling monster that works well both off screen as on. More than a worthy addition to your DVD library - but a must have.