Making of Humanoids from the Deep, The (2010)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
In my opinion the Roger Corman produced HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP is one of the greatest monster movies ever made and especially in terms of exploitation because it's not everyday that a movie about raping, mutant fish is made. It's been known that the film had a very troubled and controversial production and many of the myths and truths surrounding it are finally laid to rest thanks to this 22-minute documentary. Corman, Chris Walas, Mark Goldblatt, James Sbardellati, Cynthia Weintraub, Ken Myers, Linda Shayne and James Horner are all interviewed and share their memories of the making of the film. We learn that the film was originally made as "Beneath the Darkness" so that known actors would be willing to appear in the movie. Corman says that he told director Barbara Peeters that he wanted a killer mutant movie where they raped the woman and slaughtered the men. Corman says that the film turned in had a lot of murders but no rape scenes so he brought in Sbardellati to spice up the picture. I think it's made quite clear that Peeters simply didn't turn in the type of movie that she was asked and it's clear she and some of the cast members were highly upset at having their film taken away and turned into what it is in its current state. On one hand I'm usually on the director's side of things but then again this is one of my favorite monsters movies and I'll admit that it's the exploitation, nudity, sex, rape, violence and gore that makes the film so special. The special effect guys go into great detail about making the costumes and we learn that there was actually only one complete outfit and two other incomplete ones. We learn through Corman that this was one of his most successful pictures and we get Horner talking about his score. If you're a fan of the film then you're going to learn quite a bit but it's a shame that Peeters wouldn't be involved with the production because it would have been interesting to hear her side of things. It would also be interesting seeing what her original version was like.
