Review of The Day of the Triffids (1963) by Yo-Yo A — 25 Aug 2010

A meteor shower blinds most of Earth's population and plants strange seeds. Earth is invaded by deadly plants. Yes, deadly plants. Triffids specifically, which can't simply be trampled on or cut.

Surprisingly it took most of the film before someone thought of using fire to kill theses things. Anyway, there's chaos all over the world but we're shown the journey of a small number of people escaping London who hadn't been blinded.

The hero of this bizarre flick is a scientist who can bench press about eighty kilos and resembles a Greek god. That absurdity should be ignored for the high pitched screams which often met with the presence of the giant, blood hungry plants attempting to break into a wooden house.

Why were they living in houses made of wood in 60s Britain? And why when these women scream they lips don't move in unison? It's a film that shouldn't be taken seriously, in order to enjoy the disturbing yet fun adventure.

There's no point of commenting on the shabby SFX because it was probably mind blowing back then to see giant plants killing people. However that alone wouldn't be enough to scare me or find impressive.

A loud and damning score would accompany most scenes making sure as a viewer you understood the drama of the situation. This and the close up shots of people appearing to be in fits of fear were heavy handed.

Then again it was that which helped make this film enjoyable. It being absurd and most things being exaggerated. This film is pretty terrible in many departments but definitely deserves a Fresh for being enjoyable.