Last year, I compiled a list of fifteen frightening films all about Fish-Men, Sea Monsters, and Gill-Man wannabes (The original list can be read here in case you missed it) but one of those fish tales, namely Island of the Fish Men, has just gotten a great update with even more information supplied, though not by me.
Johnny LaRue’s Crane Shot (a fantastic blog I check on a regular basis) has just posted a great article on the history of this movie and it’s various North American re-edits at the hands of Roger Corman.
This article comes with my highest possible recommendation!
And for those who are interested in my original article but don’t want to trudge through the other fourteen reviews attached to it, I’m re-posting it below. Ciao everyone and have a fishy day!
Island of the Fish Men (1979)
Though available on dvd in North America …
… this film was first released on region 1 vhs as Screamers!
The original by veteran Italian director Sergio Martino has a slower (and some argue more thoughtful) nature to it. The vhs version was heavily re-edited with scenes removed and gore added by none other than legendary genre director Joe Dante (of Gremlins and The Howling fame) under the title Dan T. Miller. Opinions vary as to which version is better.
Overall this movie is a basic retelling of The Island of Dr. Moreau with an emphasis on fish-men instead of animal-men. The story tells of a prison ship that sinks, the prisoners and the ship’s doctor wash up on a Island with only two inhabitants and army of Gill-Men just waiting to tear them apart.
Fun for the whole Family! … if your last name is Addams at any rate. Check it out if you dare!
