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So, another Italian adventure film brought to the States by Roger Corman’s company, New World Pictures. The studio added and cut footage, changed the name, and released it under their umbrella. It was re-titled “Screamers” and had scenes added to make it bloodier, but it was rated PG.
This is Sergio Martino’s (“The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh,” “Torso”) original cut from Italy under its original title, “Island of the Fishmen.” Martino did many great Italian Giallo films. Martino’s version may have less blood, but this, to me, has more violence and grotesque things in it that Corman’s “Screamers cut does not.” Martino’s cut is rated R.
You have a lot happening very quickly with shipwrecks and the fishmen eating and drowning sailors. But you also have a story about a mad doctor creating monsters in his lab and an island full of natives, hoping their home doesn’t blow up and explode. There is a plethora of plot points. Probably a little too much for the kind of film we have here, but it doesn’t matter. It all comes together in a thrilling climatic battle with full-set explosions.
This film is very much The Island of Dr. Moreau mixed with Creature From The Black Lagoon and some Lost Continent/ Land that Time Forgot/ 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea elements. Basically old school 70s fantasy. It is great for its budget, and if you like fantasy films, this has everything. Lost city of Atlantis, here we come. Beware the Fishmen! Cormans own Humanoids of the Deep would be released shortly after this. Give it a watch if you like old-school sci-fi and fantasy movies. Famous Bond Girl Barbara Bach stars in this as well.
