Review of Bloodlust! (1961) by Tim S — 19 Jul 2012

I love exploring older cinema, particularly B movies wherein most of the creativity seemed to be contained. This is a double-edged sword though because creativity didn't always equal talent. Bloodlust! is mostly noteworthy because it contains an early performance from Robert Reed, who would go on to play the dad in The Brady Bunch.

His performance is actually the best in the film, and that isn't saying much really. Wilton Graff's performance lacks the grit and sheer internal ferocity that Charles Laughton had in Island of the Lost Souls.

Most describe the film as The Most Dangerous Game with teenagers, and it's pretty much that. It's nothing particularly noteworthy or great, even though it does feature an early bit from Lilyan Chauvin, who gained noteriety as the oppresive nun in Silent Night, Deadly Night, but that doesn't save the film as she's featured very little and not that great in it anyway.

The dialogue is awful, the characters and their motivations are questionable, the special effects are laughable and the story sounds like ten other films you've likely seen before. To be fair, it isn't exactly so appalling that it's unwatchable, and I guess it's charming in its own way because of that, but most people will find it a boring watch.