The Beast Of Yucca Flats - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Foxbat · 18th February 2006, 08:36 PM

Directed by Coleman Francis
Starring Tor Johnson
Made in 1961
B&W
Region 1 DVD

A soviet scientist (Johnson) plans to defect but is ambushed by KGB agents once he lands in America. They pursue him across a desert wasteland and into a nuclear test site. The scientist survives the nuclear explosion but the radiation turns him into a murderous monster that proceeds to go on a rampage – killing travellers and carrying off women. A couple of rangers hunt down the mutated monster across the barren wastelands with one purpose in mind – to stop the Beast Of Yucca Flats…..

I am unable to list any redeeming features about this movie. The story is lame; the directing poor, film quality terrible and the acting is atrocious. There is practically no dialogue for the characters and most of the storyline (what there is of one) is provided by a narrator. Apparently budget restraints meant that the film was shot silent and sound was added later…and boy does it show.

The sound recording is very poor, lacks any form of ambience what so ever and just sounds extremely false. The narrator himself sounds as if he wished to be anywhere but here during the recording of his often ludicrous words. It is difficult to convey just how bad this film actually is – it does not even come near to the ‘so bad it’s good category’ and is not worth shelling out money for.

This film is the ultimate proof that Edward D. Wood Jnr. was most definitely not the world’s worst movie director.

Watch this movie again? I’d rather stick pins in my eyes. Avoid.

1 out of 10

littlemissattitude · 19th February 2006, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxbat

...and the acting is atrocious...

This film is the ultimate proof that Edward D. Wood Jnr. was most definitely not the world’s worst movie director.

It didn't help the director, I don't suppose, hiring one of the "stars"

of Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space (Johnson) to headline this film.

McMurphy · 19th February 2006, 08:34 AM

Yeah, I agree with both of you. This film is truly terrible. I think the only reason that it still circulates within vintage horror DVD collections, which is how I own it, is because there is a small cult following for anything science fiction and quite bad.

Fun Fact: The comic book character, The Incredible Hulk, was partly based on this film. Later in the series, it was fashionable for writers to make slant references in the titles of certain magazine issues.

Good review, Foxbat.

Teresa Edgerton · 19th February 2006, 04:48 PM

Going by the rest of your review, Foxbat, I am frankly curious to know what smidgeon of redeeming value inspired you to rate it as high as a 1!

Foxbat · 19th February 2006, 05:18 PM

A good point - here's my reasoning. I was actually about to give it 0 out of 10 and then thought, if somebody is daft enough to take a risk putting this out on DVD then I should recognise that fact and give credit for financial courage.....and on top of that, I was daft enough to buy it....so....how many more dafties like me are there out there? Maybe this thing might just make a tidy profit for them?

Hence my mark

18th February 2006, 08:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Foxbat Haggis Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,368	The Beast Of Yucca Flats Directed by Coleman Francis Starring Tor Johnson Made in 1961 B&W Region 1 DVD A soviet scientist (Johnson) plans to defect but is ambushed by KGB agents once he lands in America. They pursue him across a desert wasteland and into a nuclear test site. The scientist survives the nuclear explosion but the radiation turns him into a murderous monster that proceeds to go on a rampage – killing travellers and carrying off women. A couple of rangers hunt down the mutated monster across the barren wastelands with one purpose in mind – to stop the Beast Of Yucca Flats….. I am unable to list any redeeming features about this movie. The story is lame; the directing poor, film quality terrible and the acting is atrocious. There is practically no dialogue for the characters and most of the storyline (what there is of one) is provided by a narrator. Apparently budget restraints meant that the film was shot silent and sound was added later…and boy does it show. The sound recording is very poor, lacks any form of ambience what so ever and just sounds extremely false. The narrator himself sounds as if he wished to be anywhere but here during the recording of his often ludicrous words. It is difficult to convey just how bad this film actually is – it does not even come near to the ‘so bad it’s good category’ and is not worth shelling out money for. This film is the ultimate proof that Edward D. Wood Jnr. was most definitely not the world’s worst movie director. Watch this movie again? I’d rather stick pins in my eyes. Avoid. 1 out of 10

19th February 2006, 08:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
McMurphy Apostate Against the Eloi Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,150	Re: The Beast Of Yucca Flats Yeah, I agree with both of you. This film is truly terrible. I think the only reason that it still circulates within vintage horror DVD collections, which is how I own it, is because there is a small cult following for anything science fiction and quite bad. Fun Fact: The comic book character, The Incredible Hulk, was partly based on this film. Later in the series, it was fashionable for writers to make slant references in the titles of certain magazine issues. Good review, Foxbat.

19th February 2006, 04:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Teresa Edgerton Ink-stained Wretch Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California Posts: 4,565	Re: The Beast Of Yucca Flats Going by the rest of your review, Foxbat, I am frankly curious to know what smidgeon of redeeming value inspired you to rate it as high as a 1!

19th February 2006, 05:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Foxbat Haggis Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,368	Re: The Beast Of Yucca Flats A good point - here's my reasoning. I was actually about to give it 0 out of 10 and then thought, if somebody is daft enough to take a risk putting this out on DVD then I should recognise that fact and give credit for financial courage.....and on top of that, I was daft enough to buy it....so....how many more dafties like me are there out there? Maybe this thing might just make a tidy profit for them? Hence my mark

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