Enjoyable British science fiction horror flick which has a strong central idea that probably deserved better treatment - various experiments are being performed on an isolated island off the coast of Ireland, and after one in particular people start turning up dead with their bones sucked out. Scientists Peter Cushing and Edward Judd (the virile aging hero of many a 60s British science fiction movie) decide to investigate with Judd's rich glamorous girlfriend Carole Gray coming along. They soon discover creatures running rampant killing islanders.
Terence Fisher's direction is always competent and I liked the cast - Cushing is reliable as ever, Gray pretty, and by now I've gotten used to Judd in these movies, strutting around and barking at people as if he's a genuinely charismatic leading man (he isn't, but his conviction that he is, is part of his charm).
It all feels a bit undercooked, though - the movie could have done with more money, to have better effects for the creatures, or more violence so their attacks were scarier. Writing all that made me reconsider - maybe Fisher's direction wasn't so competent after all. But far too often characters would say things like "we're all doomed", "we're surrounded", "we're isolated" - and you never felt it.
Maybe Cushing needed to die part way through or something - he does get his hand chopped off, but basically his role felt as if it repeated the function of Judd's role. Really these parts could have been combined, or else there needed to be more tension or some history between them, or have one of them turn evil or die. Gray's role similarly felt tacked on - she doesn't die either (the closest she comes to is when Judd considers killing her before the creatures make their final attack - nice boyfriend!). She probably should have played a local who falls for Judd - as it is, the islanders' presence isn't really felt. (Judd and Cushing just take over the island and order them around without any authority - this is something that could have caused more drama). It was also annoyed by the limp War of the Worlds finale with our heroes waiting helplessly as the creatures attack, then falling sick.
It's decently plotted and there are some strong scenes, such as when Cushing gets his hand chopped off; I liked the coda and the acting. It was fun I just wish it had been better.
NB This was made almost at the same time as The Project Man which had the same producer and financing - both movies, interesting, the monster appears at the 40 minute mark.
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