The Clonus Horror

This is a great premise for a movie. The overall plot is very original,interesting, and something to think about. However poor production, an obviously small budget, crapy acting from the main character, and several side actors really detract from this would be classic. An up and coming producer should try to resurect this story and give this basicly half hearted atempt a proper release.

All the young adults live in the sort of summer-camp existence that we have come to associate with the rich in 'evil future' movies. They seem naive and rather incurious, although there is talk about America. Then one of them finds an empty beer can in the river, and is sent to America, where he gradually comes to realize what the audience has known since it saw the title: he is a clone and all is not well.

It's a foolish and obvious sort of story, but I think the five guys, credited and uncredited, who produced this did a great job. It cost less than a million dollars to get in the can, and has some actual actors who charge actual money for their appearances in it: Peter Graves; Dick Sargent; and Keenan Wynn. True, none of them were hot commodities at the time, and I doubt any of them spent more than one day shooting their roles, but neither can I see any of them needing the work.

I'm sure it didn't put many extra patrons in the theater. I suspect the producers wanted these guys, talked them into it, and paid them their day rates, and everyone went home. The result is not particularly distinguished, but I didn't start watching this thinking it would be.

This movie has the feel of a pre "The Brood" era David Cronenberg film and I honestly prefer this over Rabid or Fast Company (I can't include the one with the parasites that turns an apartment complex into sex maniacs. That premise is too funny to not enjoy).

Clonus Horror also known as Parts is a decent low budget horror movie. The horror is more plot driven. The story centers around Richard a clone who lived his entire life on a clone farm with hundreds of others but because his mind is more developed than others, he is able to comprehend that something is not right about the place. He begins to ask questions. The authorities decide to deal with him but before they can, he learns the purpose of his existence and the fate of all the others who were supposed to go to America which is an Utopian concept. But Richard escapes to America and he tries to convince the person he is the clone of to help stop "Clonus" the clone farm.

Many no doubt, like me, were introduced to this by the MST3K episode where they riffed this movie. That version of the movie cuts out the most disturbing scenes completely. Add them in, and the movie is effective in the horror sense.

A lot of people rip the acting and there is some poor performances but many of the characters are near vegetable clones too and they do come across as such so the acting works. Richard is confused and scared and Tim Donnelly portrayed that well. The supporting cast has a mix of mid level stars and TV actors given a shot to appear in a feature film.

This is a low budget movie and the limitations that brings are apparent but despite the handicap, this movie comes across better in this category (low budget sci fi/horror). Pacing is a little of an issue in my view and that's a common problem with these types of movies. Many today, will find it very slow, but a lot movies in the 70's or earlier were much like this and it was common for the time, especially on the lower budget films.

I do recommend this if you are a fan of sci fi/horror films of this era.

This is one great little genre movie from the '70's, that features a great and original concept, though it might sound familiar to those who have seen Michael Bay's "The Island".

The movie is set at an enclosed camp were people's clones live and train themselves to be in perfect condition, while they are being oblivious to the fact that they are actually clones, who only exist in case the person they are a clone of need a new organ. Sounds familiar already? Well it should, since this movie almost entirely features the same premise as the 2005 movie "The Island". It even resulted in a law suit, which eventually got settled.

So you could say "The Clonus Horror" was a movie that was far ahead of its time. And its entire concept does play out well and originally. It's one of those typical '70's science-fiction movies that play on people's paranoia. It sets things up nicely and the movie is taking some good thriller approaches to its story as well.

Only thing that really works against the movie is its low budget. It makes the movie at times come across as being a bit clumsily, or even laughable. Also the acting isn't always of the highest order, though I liked some of its supporting cast.

It's low budget also doesn't make this the most spectacular genre film but there is plenty of other stuff to compensate for this. It's story alone is good enough to carry the entire movie through and makes this sort of a must-see as well for the lovers of '70's science-fiction.

7/10

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This low budget thriller is a pretty decent B movie with a great original premise.

The government has been running a clone farm for many years and now one of the clones has escaped into the outside world.

A clever premise, some solid direction, and a good cast help to make this film a pretty compelling sci-fi thriller. The Clonus Horror is an effectively chilling film that examines the theme of what it is to be human and just how the advance of science can ultimately turn to a violation of human life. The direction of Robert Fiveson is well-done, as he creates some nicely nightmarish sequences to give this film a creepy edge, as though the subject matter of the movie alone isn't unsettling enough. There's also some gruesome scenes as well. Kudos also go to a stirring, operatic music score.

The cast delivers good on their performances and features some great veteran actors like Dick Sargent, Peter Graves, and Keenan Wynn.

While The Clonus Horror may not have the big budget of The Island, it's as equally thought-provoking and disturbing. Worth seeking out, especially for film buffs.

*** out of ****