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Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954)

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Overall Rating 69%
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Ranked #2,955
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Genres / Traits: Creature Film Horror 3-D


A scientific expedition searching for fossils along the Amazon River discovers a prehistoric Gill-Man in the legendary Black Lagoon. The explorers capture the mysterious creature, but it breaks free. The Gill-Man returns to kidnap the lovely Kay, fiancée of one in the expedition, with whom he has fallen in love. --IMDb
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Review by Tristan
Added: July 30, 2007
As far as the six Universal Monsters go, The Creature From The Black Lagoon is probably the least popular and most overlooked. It might have something to do with it being made some 20 years after Dracula and Frankenstein, or it might just be because of the smaller budget and lesser known story. Either way, this little gem is definitely my favourite of the six.

While searching in the Amazon, Professor Maia (Antonio Moreno) finds a webbed hand embedded in the rock near a river's edge. Thinking he's made the discovery of the century, he visits his colleague David Reed (Richard Carlson), a promising Marine Biologist. Along with Reed's assistant, and possible fiancé, Kay (Julie Adams), they form an expedition out of a few scientists, led by Dr. Williams (Richard Denning). Back at the camp where the gill-hand was discovered, we get our first look at the creature, or his arm at least, as he attacks two of the natives in charge of guarding the camp. I must say, that while you don't see the creature, the scene is very effective. The sounds it makes are like that of a pig squealing, which I personally found quite a lot scarier than a growl or roar, or whatever it is that monsters do. Also there is none of that "I'm going to look outside when I hear a noise" nonsense. It's "I heard something" and then bam! The monster is in, and butchering the two natives. Now that is how you introduce a monster.

The team returns to the camp, to find the dead bodies they attribute to the local wildlife. Putting it out of their minds, they begin digging on the side of the hill, hoping to uncover the rest of the fossil. After eight days they find nothing and begin to lose hope. After finding out the nearby river empties into a lagoon, they decide to go there, for there's a chance some of the hillside broke away, and was washed into the lagoon in past years. The boat's captain tells them his men call it the Black Lagoon, as nobody has ever returned from it.

They travel down the river, and enter the beautiful lagoon. After Dr. Williams and Reed dive into the water to recover some of the rocks for testing, the creature is disturbed and leaves his lair, hiding in the seaweed to watch their movements. After returning to the boat without incident, they decide to test the rocks right away, while Kay decides she'd like to go for a dip. What we are treated to here are some of the best underwater shots I've ever seen. There's nothing overly spectacular about them, but seeing the Creature toy with Kay, much like Kong with Ann Darrow, underwater is visually incredible. The Creature is so graceful, and doesn't feel at all like a threat.

After Reed and Williams make another dive into the water, they come face to face with the Creature, wounding it with a spear gun. After they return to the ship, they decide to keep watch all through the night. While waiting, the Creature tries to climb on board. It manages to get away however, and Reed and Williams once again, chase after it, both with their own agendas. Reed is interested in it for Science's sake, and Williams only wants it for the fame and fortune it will bring him.

As the film progresses, the Creature becomes more and more obsessed with Kay. This Beauty and The Beast angle is again, very reminiscent of King Kong. Ultimately, it makes you feel sorry for the monster more than anything. He was just swimming around, minding his own business until his home was intruded upon. Sounds ridiculous, but you just have to root for the monster in these situations. As a large portion of the movie is filmed underwater, there are some truly beautiful shots. The only thing I didn't like about the movie is the difference between water monster, and land monster. Underwater the Creature had dark, hollowed, empty eyes that made it very frightening. On land it looked like it had Christmas lights for eyes, and it kind of ruined the effect.

Overall, like I said before, this was my favourite of the Universal Monster series. It had a lot to offer, and it's just a shame it didn't get more recognition. Seeing that monster in the water will really make you think twice about taking a swim now and again. It does for a small body of water what Jaws did for the ocean.

10/10.
Edd #1: Edd - added July 30, 2007 at 8:59am
If I'm not mistaken, wasn't this Clint Eastwood's first appearance in film?
Ginose #2: Ginose - added July 30, 2007 at 1:51pm
I know, without a doubt, that I agree with every word of Tristan's review. Gillman was always my favorite Universal monster, and, more than likely, my favorite Universal monster movie. The monster itself was an amazing design, half-fish, creepy-ass scally body horrid claws... he spat acid, didn't he? Ah, I'll watch it again later... but honestly, I got obssesive with this movie after my first childhood viewing of it... and then much longer after that... something about old black-and-white horror... dunno what... oh, and 10/10.

...was Clint Eastwood in this?
Tristan #3: Tristan - added July 30, 2007 at 3:26pm
That was the sequel.
Ginose #4: Ginose - added July 30, 2007 at 3:37pm
Yeah, "Revenge of the Creature", that's what I thought.
George Snow #5: George Snow - added November 8, 2014 at 11:52pm
I have the Universal box set. I hesitated to watch Creature because I just thought it was going to be like every other 50s Sci-Fi movie. I thought it would be a little better, but not much.

I'm shocked at how great this flick was. I watched it in 3D which was an added bonus. That scene with the girl swimming was incredible. Underwater sequences are fantastic. Some magnificent shots of the creature made him truly seem life like (for this type of movie was outstanding) and the way the good guys were actually the bad guys made this a movie well worth numerous views. The documentary on it is pretty cool also.

When we were kids we had the 8mm short version of The Creature Walks Amongst Us. I have to find that on blu ray.
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