Xtro

 Xtro
The late 1970s and early 1980s were an interesting time in horror films, after Night Of The Living Dead pushed the boundaries of gore in horror films it opened the doors for for a new generation of filmmakers who took chances and pushed horror to new grounds. Strange and dark films were coming out by independent filmmakers, films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Last Film On The Left, and films like I Spit On Your Grave, and of course the cult classic Xtro.   

I have heard Xtro described as the most unpredictable film ever made, it is a film about alien abduction, alien invasion, family drama, creepy clowns and toys coming alive, a black panther hanging out in an apartment, and one of the best alien rape/impregnation scenes in a film.   The film is also Maryam d'Abo's first film appearance (she would go on to be a "Bond Girl" in the film The Living Daylights).   I think that saying that this film is one of the most unpredictable films ever made, is a pretty fair description. Xtro is an amazingly bizarre cult classic that must definitely be seen. 
Xtro was a British science fiction/horror film directed by Harry Bromley Davenport, with a screenplay  by Harry Bromley Davenport Michael Perry, Iain Cassie, and Robert Smith. The film was released in 1982 and distributed by the struggling film company New Line Cinema.   The film was a box office success, though at the time it received unanimously negative reviews by the critics, though retrospective reviews have been more positive.  Xtro would go on to be a cult classic and popular video rental title.  Also at the time Xtro was unfairly listed as a Video Nasty in England.

Xtro starred Philip Sayer as Sam Phillips, Bernice Stegers as Rachel Phillips, Simon Nash as Tony Phillips, Danny Brainin as Joe Daniels, Maryam d'Abo as Analise Mercier, Peter Mandell as Clown, the robot mime duo Tik and Tok as The Monster and the Commando, and Susie Silvey as Woman in cottage.  The cast was great, they took this ridiculous film and played their parts so wonderfully straight and serious, which just adds to the bizarreness of the film.   

Xtro is a film that is beautifully disgusting, there are parts that are disturbing, but at the same time, it is just a really wonderful film.   This is a low budget film, but they spent the budget on the effects and the actors, and it was well spent.   The effects include a wonderfully done alien monster, a woman who gets raped (but not in a graphic traditional way) by the alien and then minutes later give birth to a fully grown man, among some other great effects.  Some of the effects will be disturbing, but they are effective and work for the film.  The story is bizarre, about a father who is abducted by aliens (though the mother believes that he just ran out on the family), and then three years he returns.  But is it really him, or is it actually an alien invasion?   There would go on to be a number of even lower budget sequels, but most were forgotten about, but the original Xtro has gone on to be loved as a cult classic, and to also be reviled by the critics.   Though there are critics like myself that are changing the critical perspective of the film, because let's face it, Ztro is amazing, because of how bizarre and disturbing it is, and though it might not be a true Video Nasty as it has been unfairly labeled, it has had the ability to shock and disturb viewers.   

If you are looking for a strange and bizarre science-fiction/horror film that isn't afraid to go for the gross out, and also not afraid to just get fucking weird, then don't pass on Xtro.   This is a film that is a must see for anyone who is a fan of bizarre b-films, and if you have not yet seen it I highly recommend it.  Just don't expect it to be a normal run-of-the-mill b-film, and just let yourself enjoy the bizarre ride that it will take you on, and you are in for a treat.   If you can find a copy of the bluray release of this film, definitely add it to your collection, I also highly recommend watching the Director's Cut of the film, the the Bluray does include three different versions of the film. 

 




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Quiet Place 2 (2021)

Pete's Dragon (1977)

The Raven (1963)