The Mutations (1974)

Scientist experiments with crossing humans and plants, for which he uses his students.

Director:

Jack Cardiff

Writers:

Edward Mann, Robert D. Weinbach

Stars:

Donald Pleasence, Tom Baker, Brad Harris

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Pleasence	...	Professor Nolter
Tom Baker	...	Lynch
Brad Harris	...	Brian Redford
Julie Ege	...	Hedi
Michael Dunn	...	Burns
Scott Antony	...	Tony
Jill Haworth	...	Lauren
Olga Anthony	...	Bridget
Lisa Collings	...	Prostitute
Joan Scott	...	Landlady
Toby Lennon	...	Tramp
John Wireford	...	Policeman
Eithne Dunne	...	Nurse
Tony Mayne	...	Dwarf Tony
Molly Tweedlie	...	Dwarf Molly

Storyline

Students have been going missing from the local college, and the one person who knows what's happened to them is Dr. Noller, a rogue biologist. Not satisfied with the pace of natural selection in driving evolution, Noller wants to push things further by creating his own genetically engineered creations. Having already created some amazing specimins by mixing the DNA of plants and animals, the doctor has now set his sights higher, and want to work on modifying humans, as well.

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Plot Keywords:

plant | experiment | scientist | england | murder | 

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Taglines:

It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature... it can be HORRIFYING!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

25 September 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Freakmaker

Filming Locations:

Oakley Court, Windsor Road, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cyclone, Getty Pictures Corp.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Robert D. Weinbach the role of Professor Nolter was intended for Vincent Price but this was abandoned after difficulties with Price's agent.

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Connections

References Freaks (1932)

User Reviews

Gruesome, grotesque, grim British horror which must have slipped through on the Censor's day off.

This is a totally bizarre British horror film which deserves cult status of the highest order - I can't believe that this didn't have problems with the censor, it is a disturbing, nasty piece of work and should undoubtedly have cult status.

'The Mutations' has Donald Pleasence as a Frankenstein-inspired scientist, Prof Nolter, who in-between his lecturing is trying to fuse humans with plantlife, to create a creature which has the strengths of both species. The nature of the film is introduced early, with a travelling funfair complete with freaks ( played by real-life freaks as in Tod Brownings early classic ), and a hideously ugly normal-sized man, who moonlights as Prof Nolter's assistant.

The film has so many points of interest its difficult to know where to start

• the similarities to 'Freaks' are acknowledged with a feast scene which

includes the line "He's one of us - we accept you". The freaks are also shown to have more humanity than the other characters, although they do turn on their tormenter in the end, in a scene similar to the climactic chase in 'Freaks'.

There are also ideas and scenes close to the French classic 'Eyes without a Face'; Pleasance portrays a character similar to Pierre Brasseur's mad doctor, both living in a secluded mansion complete with pack of mad dogs.

As if all this were not enough, we are also treated to Julie Ege as the screaming heroine, showing of her acting limitations and bodily curves very nicely - special applause for the nude bath scene.

'The Mutations' is a real shocker, which viewed today has a strong impact - far more so than more famous 'shocking' films, like 'The Devils' and the earlier 'Peeping Tom', both of which viewed now seem relatively tame.

While not raising the film to any artistic height - it is a cheap 'B' Movie in all production areas - the film should really be seen by all film fans, and given its deserved status as a heavyweight of the gutter-horror genre.