SYNOPSICS
Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) is a English movie. Bernard L. Kowalski has directed this movie. Ken Clark,Yvette Vickers,Jan Shepard,Michael Emmet are the starring of this movie. It was released in 1959. Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) is considered one of the best Horror,Sci-Fi movie in India and around the world.
In a community near a swamp, a local dweller sees a couple of giant monsters but nobody believes him. Later, the cuckold Dave Walker finds his slut wife Liz Walker cheating on him with his friend Cal Moulton. He chases the couple through the swamp, and forces them to jump into the water. The leeches take them and shocked Dave is arrested and accused of murder. Two other locals decide to look for the bodies of Liz and Cal to get the prize of US $50.00 per body, and also vanish in the swamp. Finally, game warden Steve Benton organizes a patrol to investigate the caves under the swamp, finding the lethal giant leeches.
Same Actors
Same Director
Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) Reviews
Surprisingly good for a bad film
Regardless of the rabid fans of MST3K (myself included), attack of The Giant Leeches isn't the horrid film they make it out to be. Certainly it is low budget, but trying to shine through the lackluster production is a film that has some good writing, few plot holes, and exhibits an actual knowledge of the subject (swamps, critters, rednecks who are a danger to themselves and others...). As far as Corman flicks go, this one has a good feel to it. Some drama, tragedy, comedy (well, some that was intentional), and an attempt at a real story. The screenwriter, Leo Gordon, has created a good feel for the south, and is an accomplished (although not great) practitioner of his trade. So, laughs aside, watch this movie again and focus on the plot when you can. There is no hocus pocus, minimal pseudo-science, and some likable characters. Oh yeah, and please don't be a danger to yourself or others...
Dialogue-Driven Film That Sets the Tone for the Era
A village near a swamp faces giant leeches who capture people that wander into their waters. Since the waters usually have alligators, this seems like a fair trade. But the local game warden (Ken Clark), the very archetype of maleness, will not leave those pesky leeches alone. This film is ranked under 3 out of 10 on the Internet Movie Database, with many people having voted a "1" (the most popular vote). Believe me, this film is far from a one -- it is actually rather interesting and well put together. Much better than other films with "giant" animals and the explanation revolving around "radiation" -- and I can especially say this after seeing the rubbish that is "Beast of Yucca Flats". It is amusing to see the dynamic between the shop owner (Bruno VeSota) and his wife (Playboy centerfold Yvette Vickers). She seems upset because he calls her "baby" every sentence. But the man she is seeing on the side shows up and calls her "baby" every sentence, too... so I guess she just does not like fat, balding men. The dialog is actual one of the better parts of this movie. The conversations give the characters more depth than most horror or science fiction films and all the villagers interact quite a bit. Everything is explained and the background is rich. The leeches? Okay, the leeches are cheesy and obviously men in squid suits. But this does not take away from the overall film. In fact,it adds a special flavor that seems appropriate. The reason this film is ranked so low, in my opinion, is the quality of the film. Public domain copies (which look terrible) are easily available, and it is easy to dismiss the film on picture quality alone. Also, it apparently appeared on "Mystery Science Theater", and people have a tendency to instantly rank MST3K films as 1 or 2 (for reasons unknown to me). If someone took the time to digitally remaster the movie, I think it would have much better reviews... but who would invest time and money into a public film?
Chilling Thriller
This unusual blend of Southern white trash and blood-curdling terror features a good narrative, capable performances by most, excellent musical score, and a misty, shadowy, eerie atmosphere. Despite other negative reviews, this and many other small-budget 1950s are continually being released on DVD and video, to the delight (and distributors' profits) of horror fans. Ken Clark is adequate playing the stalwart hero, as a surprising (for is time) ecologically-minded ranger overseeing a Southern bayou swampland. Third-billed Jan Shepard is really the leading lady here, getting more scenes and close-ups than Yvette Vickers, who appears in early scenes, than basically disappears. Shepard is earnest and very pretty, and lends semi-feminism to the proceedings, by joining boyfriend Clark in the swamp, seeking murderous radiation-produced mutations. Shepard appears, 1950s style, in her first and last scenes (probably filmed simultaneously), with her hair down, in an off-the shoulder white dress, well made-up, walking near a sticky, humid swamp! At least she's not in high heels! Vickers is slinky perfection as the adulterous wife of Bruno Ve Soto, another fine actor. Gene Roth as Shepard's doctor father is also convincing. All these are "finished" actors, professionals who have amassed many credits through the years. While the leech costumes may disappoint, the unnerving cave scene won't. This film does in 65 minutes what other "blockbuster", star-cast thrillers can't.
Fun B-Horror
Them folks down on the swamp there darn gone and got themselves killed or worsen. Yes giant inflatable swamp critters attack and suck the blood out of their victims. Just joking around there folks. Honestly this was much better than I was expecting although it really doesn't hold any surprises(but may cause you to laugh a time or two). Still for a low budget film, I felt it was well-done and benefits from being only 62 minutes in length. I really enjoyed this one.
Fun, creepy and underrated
Grotesque gigantic mutant leeches attack and feed on the various local yokels in a seedy Florida stick swamp hamlet. Bernard L. Kowalski directs the admittedly ludicrous premise with admirable seriousness, coaxing solid acting from a sturdy cast, maintaining a steady pace throughout, and ably creating a brooding, spooky and pungently sordid Southern-fried backwoods atmosphere. Leo Gordon's deliciously lurid and melodramatic script plays like a blithely low-rent redneck version of "Peyton Place" with ghastly beasts tossed into the mix to spice things up. The colorful hillbilly characters are a real hoot (Gene Roth is especially amusing as a huffy bonehead sheriff). Ken Clark contributes an engaging performance as the stalwart ranger hero. Jan Shepard is equally appealing as Clark's sweet girlfriend. The delectable Yvette Vickers brings an irresistibly naughty "Babydoll"ish allure to her juicy role of a brazen hick hussy. 50's B-picture regular Bruno VeSota truly shines as Vickers' angry and obese cuckolded general store manager husband. The monsters are really hokey, but that only adds to the film's considerable schlocky charm. The scenes in an underwater cave with the hideous leeches sucking blood from their luckless shrieking victims are genuinely gross, chilling and even downright disturbing. John A. Nicholaus' stark, gritty cinematography and Alexander Laszlo's shuddery ooga-booga bombastic score are likewise on the money. Good, trashy low-budget 50's creature feature fun that's tons better and more enjoyable than its undeservedly lousy reputation would suggest.