The Freakmaker (1974)

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

Director:

Jack Cardiff

Writers:

Robert D. Weinbach (screenplay), Edward Mann (screenplay)

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 Lenon	...	Tramp (as Toby Lennon)
Richard Davies	...	Doctor
John Wireford	...	Policeman (as John Wreford)
Eithne Dunne	...	Nurse
Tony Mayne	...	Dwarf Tony

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:

psychotronic film | plant monster | humanoid plant | human plant hybrid | carnival side show | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

An earlier draft of the script took place in Ireland.

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Connections

Referenced in The Big Box: The Body Shop (2010)

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Soundtracks

Worlds Within Worlds Parts III and IV
By Basil Kirchin
(special musical effects)
Regal Zonophone LP

User Reviews

frightful disturbing b-movie

OK i seen the mutations when i was younger at a movie theater in;Paterson new jersey and to this day i cant remember the co-feature. but it scared the hell out of me.its a basic mad scientist story,with a brilliant but unbalanced Dr played by the late great;Donald Pleasence who went on to play Dr loomis in the Halloween movie series(1978 to 1989)creating mutations from plants.i know very weird.it all takes place in england,much to the distaste of fellow scientist from America played by Brad Harris.he gets his subjects from a deformed man played by;Tom Baker(who played Dr who in the 70's)this guy is so gruesome he would give Frankensteins monster the willies.anyway lynch(tom baker)is co-owner of a traveling carnival.the main owner is a kindly dwarf played by Micheal Dunn,who does'nt approve of the Dr's intentions.and like the earlier movie;freaks this movie features real human oddities. the one that gave me nightmares was a guy called pop eye,i don't need to say what he does.also starring in this movie is Julie Ege and Jill Haworth.the mutations has been released to video under the title;the freak-maker.its not as good as Tod brownings freaks,but it is very unsettling.i re watched this recently and found it very entertaining but it no longer gives me nightmares.all i can say is its still a very good film,with a great cast.and Donald Pleasence played the best mad doctors.I'm giving mutations(aka;freak-maker)8 out of 10.

Details

Country:

UK USA

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

Box Office

Budget:

GBP400,000 (estimated)

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