Shock Waves (1977)

Director:

Ken Wiederhorn

Writers:

John Kent Harrison
Ken Wiederhorn
(more)

Release Date:

15 July 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Once They Were Almost Human! Beneath the living... Beyond the dead... From the depths of Hell's Ocean! The Deep End of Horror!

Plot:

Visitors to a remote island discover that a reclusive Nazi commandant has been breeding a group of Zombie soldiers.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Zombie | SS Commander | Soldier | Bare Chested Male

Cast

Peter Cushing	...	SS Commander
Brooke Adams	...	Rose
Fred Buch	...	Chuck
Jack Davidson	...	Norman
Luke Halpin	...	Keith
D.J. Sidney	...	Beverly
Don Stout	...	Dobbs
John Carradine	...	Captain
Clarence Thomas	...	Fisherman
Sammy Graham
Preston White
Reid Finger
Mike Kennedy
Donahue Guillory
Jay Maeder	...	Zombie
Talmadge Scott	...	Zombie
Gary J. Levinson
Robert Miller	...	Zombie

Directed by
Ken Wiederhorn

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
John Kent Harrison
Ken Pare
Ken Wiederhorn

Produced by
Reuben Trane	....	producer

Original Music by
Richard Einhorn

Cinematography by
Reuben Trane

Film Editing by
Norman Gay

Production Design by
Jessica Sack

Costume Design by
Jacqueline Saint Anne

Makeup Department
Alan Ormsby	....	special makeup designer

Production Management
Wayne Hood	....	unit manager
Doug Kauffman	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
George Berndt	....	assistant director
Roger Skelton	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Mykle Mattes	....	property master (as Mykle Mettee)

Sound Department
Parris Buckner	....	boom operator
Stephen Maynard	....	sound recordist (as Stephen Manners)
Emil Neroda	....	sound mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Eric Lacov	....	grip
Irving Pare	....	underwater cinematographer
Gerald Rhodes	....	chief electrician (as Gerry Rhodes)
Tom Schroeppel	....	assistant camera
Frank Smathers	....	grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jacquie Kegeles	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Éva Gárdos	....	apprentice editor
Denine Rowan	....	apprentice editor
Greg Sheldon	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Rosanne Fleming	....	assistant to the producer
Jennie Jerome	....	production assistant
Laurie Laturell	....	production assistant
Dee Miller	....	script supervisor
John O'Gorman	....	production assistant
Gene Picchi	....	production assistant
Daryl Polan	....	production secretary
Terry Twyman	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• Zopix Company

Distributors

• Joseph Brenner Associates (JBA) (1977) (USA) (theatrical)
• Superstar International (1978) (Italy) (theatrical)
• American Video (USA) (VHS)
• Astro Distribution (2002) (Germany) (DVD)
• BijouFlix Releasing
• Blue Underground (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1978) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Creswin Distribution (Canada)
• Prism Entertainment Corporation (video)
• Starmaker Video (USA) (VHS)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)

Also Known As:

"Shockwaves" - USA (video title)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Norway:16 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Italy:VM14 | Singapore:PG | France:-12 | Iceland:16 | West Germany:18 (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Coral Gables, Florida, USA

Company:

Zopix Company

Trivia:

The film was shot in 35 days in 1975.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During the shot of Keith's body lying in the pool, he is still breathing.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Terror i Rock 'n' Roll Önsjön (2001) (V)

Underwater Nazi zombies! A creepy low budget gem that all horror buffs should try and see.

'Shock Waves' is a low budget horror movie with few special effects... actually not very special effects at all. We're talking a half a dozen "zombies" which are basically people in Nazi uniforms holding their breath underwater. The cast apart from Brooke Adams ('Invasion Of The Body Snatchers', 'The Dead Zone') are unknowns, with guest appearances from horror legends John Carradine and Peter Cushing. One would think this would be a real turkey only good for a few laughs, but not so, it's a surprisingly effective thriller with atmosphere to spare. One of the reasons I enjoy horror movies is that creative directors are capable of making something special out of virtually nothing. 'Carnival Of Souls' and 'Night Of The Living Dead' are obvious examples. El cheapo budgets, unknown actors, minimal effects, but two of the greatest horror movies ever made. I'm not saying 'Shock Waves' is anywhere near THAT good, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected from the cheesy packaging on the video box. The concept of underwater Nazi zombies is an intriguing one, and was subsequently used by Jean Rollin and Jess Franco in 'Zombie Lake' and 'Oasis Of The Zombies'. I always enjoy seeing John Carradine, but his role is, let's be honest, little more than a cameo. I have a major crush on Brooke Adams, she's goofy but beautiful, and admirers won't want to miss this one as she spends most of her time in a bikini. One minor complaint - I wished Peter Cushing had more screen time. He's my favourite horror actor after Vincent Price and I always enjoy his performances. All in all 'Shock Waves' is an underrated and creepy movie that all horror buffs should try and see. It's just one of many overlooked 1970s horror gems that deserve more attention than they get (see also 'Count Yorga, Vampire', 'The Brotherhood Of Satan', 'The Crazies', 'The Legend Of Hell House', 'Deranged', 'Alice, Sweet Alice', 'Thirst',etc.etc.)