Swamp Thing (1982)

After a violent incident with a special chemical, a research scientist is turned into a swamp plant monster.

Director:

Wes Craven

Writers:

Wes Craven, Len Wein (comic book)

Stars:

Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau, Ray Wise

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Louis Jourdan	...	Arcane
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Alice Cable
Ray Wise	...	Dr. Alec Holland
David Hess	...	Ferret
Nicholas Worth	...	Bruno
Don Knight	...	Ritter
Al Ruban	...	Charlie
Dick Durock	...	Swamp Thing
Ben Bates	...	Arcane Monster
Nannette Brown	...	Dr. Linda Holland
Reggie Batts	...	Jude
Mimi Craven	...	Arcane's Secretary (as Mimi Meyer)
Karen Price	...	Arcane's Messenger
Bill Erickson	...	Young Agent
Dov Gottesfeld	...	Commando

Storyline

Dr. Alec Holland, hidden away in the depths of a murky swamp, is trying to create a new species - a combination of animal and plant capable of adapting and thriving in the harshest conditions. Unfortunately he becomes subject of his own creation and is transformed . . . Arcane, desperate for the formula attempts to capture the Swamp Thing. An explosive chase ensues that ultimately ends with a confrontation between Holland and a changed Arcane . . .

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Plot Keywords:

swamp | swamp thing | scientist | government agent | paramilitary group | 

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Taglines:

The comic book legend lives!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Ding aus dem Sumpf

Filming Locations:

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Swampfilms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 93 min (DVD) 89 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of two 1982 theatrical releases which feature a mutated plant man or plant humanoid creature comprised of vegetable matter. The originally titled "Weeds" segment re-named "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill" in Creepshow (1982) starred writer Stephen King, and adapted from King's own short story, features a plant organism slowly growing on Jordy Verrill (Stephen King) after he discovers a meteorite land in his back yard which oozes a mysterious green substance.

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Goofs

The first time Arcane's thugs chase Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau) in the swamp, one of the guys shoots his own man and the squad leader takes his rifle away from him. After a quick cut away, the original shooter has his rifle back.

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Quotes

Swamp Thing: Much beauty in the swamp, if you only look.

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Alternate Versions

The 2002 DVD release by MGM features some additional shots of nudity compared to the original US theatrical release:

• When Adrienne Barbeau takes a bath in the swamp you could only see a side shot of her breast. Now you can see some extra seconds of full-on breast shots.
• At the beginning of the party scene (Bruno's big comeuppance) two dancing gypsy women taking off their clothes. This footage was not included in previous video and laserdisc releases. Reissues on DVD and Blu-ray since 2005 have reverted to the original censored PG version.

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Connections

Referenced in Blood and Guts with Scott Ian: Scott Ian Gets His Face Cut in Half by Jerry Constantine (2012)

User Reviews

Waterlogged.

"Swamp Thing" is beautifully photographed in authentic swamps, and directed with a nice comic-book sensibility by Wes Craven, but the script is flat, boring and (eventually) silly, and the title creature is too human-like to inspire much awe. However, Louis Jourdan is enjoyable as the suave, cultivated villain, David Hess is in his element as one of his goons, and there is also a black kid who's the epitome of "coolness". (**1/2)