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.

---

Plot Keywords:

plant | experiment | scientist | england | murder | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

25 September 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Freakmaker

Filming Locations:

Battersea Fun Fair, Battersea Park, Battersea, London, 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.

---

Connections

Referenced in Horror Business (2005)

User Reviews

This film might be okay for weirdos

How on earth have I never seen this film before? I watched it tonight 'cause there was nothing else on Cable (again) - lucky me!

It started with some time-lapse film of plant-life and looked like a programme from the Open University - but then the soundtrack signalled something strange was happening...

"Mutations" owes a lot to Tod Browning's "Freaks" but offers loads more: some nice 70's nudity; plants that eat live rabbits (why not pet food?); dialogue that mentions "cloning dinosaurs"; a soundtrack that judders from spaced-out, slowed-down, phased bass to free form jazz. This is a minestrone of madness with some nice inconsitencies in the plot. Great!

Tom Baker was obviously heavily influenced by his role in this film and took most of the wardrobe with him for Dr Who!