Terror from Beneath the Earth

B&W

Written, edited, directed by Christopher Mihm

Saint Euphoria

Web: http://www.sainteuphoria.com

Reviewer: Bob Estreich

Yes, he’s at it again. Christopher Mihm gives us another wonderful takeoff of the 1950s sci-fi movies. Once again we have the unlikely plot, the even more unlikely monster, and the cheesy 50s music. “From the darkest nether regions comes a terrifying mutant creature hell bent on death and destruction”.

Atomic testing has been carried out in the Wisawa cave system, but has been stopped by the Supreme Court as it is a sacred site to the Native Americans. The testing wasn’t stopped soon enough, however, and in one bat-infested cave the radiation has spawned a deadly human-sized mutant bat creature. Two kids have wandered into the caves and been taken by the creature. Coincidentally a scientist and his niece are also investigating the caves and they find the little girl’s schoolbooks. They report this to the Sheriff who arranges a search of the cave. The kids’ father and the Professor’s niece are also taken.

Professor Jackson (yes, our slow-spoken …..hero…. from earlier …..films) sends them a Sonic Amplitude Oscillatortron which can generate sound waves that can attract and even kill the creature. Will this unhappy and unique creature, created by man’s excesses and warlike nature, be cruelly and wantonly destroyed? Of course it will. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Carol Eade, Stephanie Mihm and Shannon McDonough must, I assume, accept the responsibility for the hilariously fake creature with its cardboard ears. I don’t know who to blame for the scenery which looks like and almost certainly is someone’s house wrapped up in canvas, complete with the door arches. A budget production? Undoubtedly, and all the better for not trying too hard to hide it. It’s just fake-looking enough to work perfectly. If there is a negative point in the whole film, it’s that I missed the earnest Professor Jackson and his speech ….. problem..

This review will appear in Volume 2 No.3 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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