Customer Reviews

Island of the Fishmen 2 Disc Collector's Edition

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I'm not writing this review so much for newcomers as for old fans of ISLAND OF THE FISHMEN. If you've seen earlier versions of this film, you haven't really seen this film. This is the MUST SEE version for longtime fans.

I've seen several versions of ISLAND OF THE FISHMEN (aka SCREAMERS) over the past 20+ years. The American TV broadcast version. The VHS version. But this restored DVD version has many differences:

* This version is widescreen, and it makes a difference. The director has framed some beautiful compositions, which are lost on full screen.

* Many restored scenes.

* Earlier versions had a 10 minute scene from ANOTHER FILM (by Roger Corman) edited onto the front. This restored version drops that scene, which had characters that were (naturally) unrelated to the rest of the film's characters or story.

* This version has done a beautiful job restoring the color and sound. Great music.

So what's this film about? It's yet another 1970s Italian exploitation ripoff, of sorts. Richard Johnson is the usual rich white guy who rules an uncharted island and conducts mad science experiments (although he does it through another scientist). They're turning islanders into fishmen so as to salvage the lost gold of Atlantis.

If you like Italian exploitation films, if you think Johnson is a great villain (although he was also a fine hero in 1963's THE HAUNTING), if you think Barbara Bach is gorgeous, if you like killer fishmen and Italian exploitation films, you should love this one.

Lead actors Claudio Cassinelli, Richard Johnson, and Barbara Bach also appeared in another Italian exploitation JAWS ripoff, BIG ALLIGATOR RIVER (aka, THE GREAT ALLIGATOR). I also highly recommend that film

Yes, this is a PAL version, so you'll need a multi-region DVD player. The DVD has both Italian and English soundtracks, take your pick.

There's also a one hour "making of" featurette, with interviews of the key creative people, but unfortunately, it's entirely in Italian. Not even any subtitles. The trailer is also in Italian.

No wonder it's unavailable.