The films of cult director Monte Hellman have had some high profile releases on DVD. His most ambitious film, TWO LANE BLACKTOP has appeared on DVD from Anchor Bay. His two Westerns with Jack Nicholson, THE SHOOTING and RIDE THE WHIRLWIND have surfaced on the VCI label. COCKFIGHTER and IGUANA were recently released in full-blown special editions from Anchor Bay. And now Synapse Films releases Hellman’s debut effort, BEAST FROM THE HAUNTED CAVE. The movie was written by Charles Griffith, who worked consistently with Corman on his 1950’s hits, IT CONQUERED THE WORLD, NOT OF THIS EARTH, and BUCKET OF BLOOD. Hellman shot this Roger Corman produced film back-to-back with SKI TROOP ATTACK in 1959, and utilized the same locations, sets, and cast members. BEAST FROM THE HAUNTED CAVE eventually fell into the public domain, and became the victim of greymarket VHS distributors who cut and re-edited it. Synapse comes to the rescue again by showing BEAST FROM THE HAUNTED CAVE fully uncut, with 10 minutes of footage (that was filmed exclusively for TV) fully integrated into the picture. And for the first time anywhere the film is presented widescreen.

A group of organized crime members led by Alex (Frank Wolff) plan a gold heist in the mountains of South Dakota, upon which they will smuggle the priceless mineral across the Canadian border and live happily ever after. Alex uses his moll, Gypsy (Sheila Carrol), to seduce cross-country skier, Gil (Michael Forest) so he will guide them through the snow-covered mountains. Along for the ride is Alex’s henchmen, Byron (Wally Campo) and Marty (Richard Sinatra). The crooks manage to steal the gold under the nose of the gullible Gil, who believes that they are all there for recreation. As they begin their trek Northwards, members of the gang start becoming paranoid and imagine something inhuman pursuing them. Gang boss Alex thinks his men are just hallucinating and reprimands them each time they divulge their fears. But, later they stumble into a cave situated over Indian burial grounds. The cave is possessed by a grotesque creature with the power to influence the minds of mortal men. The beast hunts down the gangsters one by one and drinks their blood for sustenance. Gil and Gypsy are the only two left alive who can destroy it!

BEAST FROM THE HAUNTED CAVE suffers from a talky script, slack pacing, and it’s extremely low budget. Some of the actors aren’t too good either, like Richard Sinatra (the 1950’s equivalent of Frank Stallone). Others like Frank Wolff and Michael Forrest help bring some life the mediocre script (the Banter between Wolff and his moll Sheila Carol is precious). The movie is redeemed however by the directing skills of Monte Hellman. Even though it’s his first film, the photography and direction help make up for the inherent flaws. Though the beast itself is anything but terrifying, Hellman manages to inject tension and some ghostly imagery into the movie which must have been quite shocking for the time. Definitely a step up over other Corman fare such as INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN, IT CONQUERED THE WORLD, or ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS.

The beast itself possesses the power to control the minds of its victims. The humans only see the monster when it wants them to. In several scenes, the crooks see undead women screaming for help while caught in the cocoons of the creature. These shots are very atmospheric and are reminiscent of the cocoon scenes from the ALIEN series (which came over 20 years later!). The creature resembles a walking tentacled mop, but it also shoots webs and drains the blood of it’s victims like a spider. The script never explains the creature either; it is implied that the creature is a benevolent Indian spirit given form. One character mentions seeing a cracked egg shell in the cave and surmises that this beast is thousands of years old. The creature can’t be killed by any weapon of man (guns, knives, etc.), but is susceptible to one of the four elements—fire.

The only extra is an amusing trailer that provides the appropriate 1950’s hype to BEAST FROM THE HAUNTED CAVE. The trailer is full frame and runs 1:30.

- Phil Chandler

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