The Mutations
| The Mutations | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Jack Cardiff |
| Produced by | Robert D. Weinbach |
| Written by |
Edward Mann Robert D. Weinbach |
| Starring |
Donald Pleasence Tom Baker Brad Harris Julie Ege |
| Music by |
Basil Kirchin Jack Nathan (uncredited) |
| Cinematography | Paul Beeson |
| Edited by | John Trumper |
Production company |
Cyclone Getty Pictures Corp. |
| Distributed by |
Columbia-Warner (UK) Columbia Pictures (US) |
Release dates |
October 1974 (UK) 25 September 1974 (US) |
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country |
United Kingdom United States[1] |
| Language | English |
The Mutations is a low budget 1974 British-American science fiction/horror film directed by Jack Cardiff. The film was also released under the title The Freakmaker.[2]
Plot
A deranged genetic scientist abducts college students as human guinea pigs that he uses in his experiments in crossbreeding plants with humans. The failed experimental mutants are then given to a cruel circus freakshow owner who exploits them to the fullest. However, the mutants and the circus freaks will not be denied justice.
Cast
- Donald Pleasence as Professor Nolter
- Tom Baker as Lynch
- Brad Harris as Brian Redford
- Julie Ege as Hedi
- Michael Dunn as Burns
- Scott Antony as Tony
- Jill Haworth as Lauren
- Olga Anthony as Bridget
- Lisa Collings as Prostitute
- Joan Scott as Landlady
- Toby Lennon as Tramp
- John Wireford as Policeman
- Eithne Dunne as Nurse
- Richard Davies as Doctor
Production
The Mutations was filmed exclusively in England in Oakley Court, Windsor in Berkshire; Battersea Park, London; and in Pinewood Studios.[3]
According to Tom Baker, Willie Ingram, who went by the stage name "Popeye" because of his uncanny ability to dislocate his eyes from their sockets, used to frequent a bar across the street between shooting scenes. During one such outing one of the waitresses made it clear through her attitude that she didn't approve of Baker, who is white, being friends with Ingram who is black. To get back at her, Ingram would pop his eyes from their sockets when she passed their table, frightening her and when she tried to point it out to other waitresses and patrons he would then relocate his eyes back in their sockets and then he and Baker would pretend nothing happened. According to the film's producer and co-writer Robert D. Weinbach, the role for Professor Nolter was originally intended for famed horror actor Vincent Price, however due to difficulties with Price's agent the idea was abandoned.[4]
Release
The Mutations was released in the UK in October 1974 and in the U.S. on September 25, 1974. The film was also released under the alternate title The Freakmaker.[5]
Reception
Film critic Leonard Maltin awarded the film a mixed 2 out of 4 stars,criticizing the film's predictable story and what he called "grotesque elements and characters".[6]
- The Radio Times wrote, "the discomfiting template may be that of Freaks (the party scene is a direct lift from Tod Browning's 1932 classic) but its prurient atmosphere is most definitely rooted in 1970s British sleaze."[7]
- DVD Verdict wrote, "this is a disjointed and occasionally uninspired experience that has moments of brilliance and equally aggravating segments of outright idiocy."[8]
- British Horror Films wrote, "it's a cross between every mad doctor film you've ever seen, and Tod Browning's Freaks, yet without that film's subtlety and pathos."[9]
References
- ↑ "The Mutations". American Film Institute. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- ↑ "The Mutations (1973) | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "The Mutations (1974) - Filming Locations". IMDb.com. IMDb.com. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- ↑ "The Mutations (1974) - Trivia". IMDb.com. IMDb.com. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- ↑ "The Mutations (1974) - Release Info". IMDb.com. IMDb.com. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
- ↑ Leonard Maltin (2013). Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide: 2014 Edition : the Modern Era. Plume Books. p. 964. ISBN 978-0-14-218055-6.
- ↑ "The Mutations | Film review and movie reviews". Radio Times. 2013-04-08. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "DVD Verdict Review - The Freakmaker". Dvdverdict.com. 2005-10-27. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ↑ "The Mutations | 1972". Britishhorrorfilms.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-24.