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Information Exchange => Reader Comments => Topic started by: Andrew on February 17, 2002, 08:52:57 AM



Title: Fiend Without A Face
Post by: Andrew on February 17, 2002, 08:52:57 AM
Updated review of a cult classic.  A scientist accidentally creates icky brain-eating monsters that menace a Canadian town and nearby U.S. military base.

Click here to go to the Review (http://www.badmovies.org/movies/fiendface/)


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face: Or leverage.
Post by: Flangepart on February 17, 2002, 02:54:18 PM
Ah, the jeep guy. Marshall Thompson. Mr Busness like. Best known for "Daktari" on T.V. Kinda skimpy resume, realy. The Homicidal brains out acted him, me thinks.


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face: Or leverage.
Post by: Scott on February 17, 2002, 03:17:47 PM
Yes, they kept showing him driving around the base area in that jeep. It was hard to watch. I had great hopes for this film. At first people were being attacked without being able to see the creatures. The DVD isn't bad with the commentary section with the director. The film had some a great shot of fighter jets from the 50's lined up on an airfield. Daktari now that was a tv show that I couldn't stand except for the intro to the show. Seen many of them because of the lack of anything else on tv when it plane in re-runs. I think it was in the morning hours.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Squishy The Squid on April 27, 1999, 04:58:10 AM
God I love this movie. Totally wanky science, a shower scene, and unbelievably gory, especially for its time. Beautiful.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: fred on June 18, 1999, 09:25:31 PM
Riveting....saw it several indelible times as a kid...still creeps me out...really was too fascinating to not watch..also recall strange guys with glowing eyes and awful wrap around sun glasses...or is that just me wishful childs mind playing tricks on me..? This movie just RUNS WILD!!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Steve Gory Horror Fan on November 05, 1999, 09:09:59 PM
Forget the tacky dialog, and the absurd
"monsters-feeding-off-the-atomic-radiation" plot,
as well as the ridiculous invisibility of the
fiends during the first two-thirds of this movie.
Just sit back and look at these elements in a
humorous light (by today's scientific standards)
and enjoy the ride, slow as it it is in the
beginning.  
     Once the gruesome critters become visible,
and the special effects kick in and the gore
begins to fly, tighten your lap-bar and be
prepared for some surprisingly horrific jolts of
fright.  The realism of the visual and audio
effects, way ahead of their time, truely convinces
the viewer that these squirming, slimey monsters


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: stevegates@mediaone.net on November 06, 1999, 07:20:09 PM
RE "Steve Gory Horror Fan" review:

Please correct the posted text of my review!

The last two words ("are alive.") were not
included.  The last part of the final sentence
should read "...that these squirming, slimey
monsters ARE ALIVE. (Caps mine)

Thanks! (and thanks for a great web sit


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Bill on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I was 8 years old when I saw this movie at the theater, and was horrified by it.  I had nightmares for years afterwards.  On hot summer nights I slept with blankets over my head, and was wet with sweat night after night.  It was terrible.  There was no one I could talk to about it.   Now of coarse it seems foolish looking at what I was terrified by.  Don't ever let a child see this movie.  I tremble thinking what the kid would go through if they saw this.  


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Chris K. on March 31, 2000, 03:19:29 PM
Definately NOT CHEESEY! FIEND WITHOUT A FACE is an exelent British film with a good plot, solid performances, clear black and white photography, and better-than-STAR WARS special effects. Watch it! You will be suprised how good this film is. NOTE TO READER: Film fans consider FIEND WITHOUT A FACT to be the first gore film. It is not. BLOOD FEAST (1963) is the first gore film. Just thought I would let you know.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: MARK on June 26, 2000, 04:45:17 PM
I LIVE IN EASTERN CANADA AND ITS TRUE, THIS PLACE IS FULL OF IRISH, SCOTISH AND GERMAN HERITAGE! ACCENTS AND ALL! MOVIES CAN TEACH YOU THINGS ABOUT WIERD ISOLATED PLACES FULL OF DRUNKEN HICKS!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: netwOrm on July 27, 2000, 08:04:06 PM
I fell in love with 'Fiend Without A Face' at age 7 - in the days when there was no colour TV here in the UK. The sound effects and the stop-motion animation in this film are truly unmissable. A true Masterpiece!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Jesus on August 08, 2000, 03:33:47 PM
Yee blessing of thy movie shalt be divine.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: philidor on September 21, 2000, 10:16:14 PM
Scariest movie I saw when I was a kid.  Listen to the first sound clip for what I heard in nightmares, twice.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Poo Bah on September 25, 2000, 12:40:51 PM
A "Son of Svengoolie" staple that I saw many times as a lad.  Rented it recently for laughs..still some creepy parts, but the bit where the hero is told to quit tomcatting around rings different to me now..since he *IS* tomcatting around instead of solving the problem.  Also, the reading of the "Sibornetics" book...

It's amazing how critical this movie is of the US military: they are insensitive to what's going on with the Canadians, and deserve every bit of criticism they get in this film.  For the time it was made, very unusual.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: brain w/o a clue on October 20, 2000, 09:08:17 PM
The scene where the missing search party member crashes the town meeting, bellowing like the retard he has become, haunts me to this very day.  FIEND WITHOUT A FACE is an all-time favorite of mine and despite the plot holes (too numerous to mention) remains so.  Marshall Thompson is so heroic I could just puke (not to mention his being stiff as a board).  I give it five brains, that is, before the lobotomy.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: William Sommerwerck on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Unquestionably THE best sci-fi/horror flick prior to ALIEN -- a high-water mark of that genre. The claustrophobia of the final scene -- people trapped by hundreds of monsters they can't escape -- is played for full effect. Even at the age of 10 it scared the hell out of me.

The script, direction, and acting (except for the terminally boring Marshall Thompson) are a cut above what you'd expect from a low-budget genre film. Despite the "silliness" of the monsters, they're still effective at scaring an audience. It's nice that Criterion has recognized the quality and significance of FIEND and has released a collector's edition on DVD. Anybody wanna buy my LV?


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: DJ on November 28, 2000, 08:09:23 PM
This movie scared the pants off of me when I was a little kid, watching it by myself, late at night on TV! Brrrrrrr!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Chadzilla on December 28, 2000, 01:55:42 PM
This is a b-movie to just wrap your arms around and treasure.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Armadillo on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
One of the best 50's sci-fi/horror flicks with eerie atmosphere in the forests as lost citizens are searched for.  The moment at the town meeting when a formerly missing citizen turns up, shouting like a brainless moron, which he now is, is one of the most unforgettable movie scenes from my long ago childhood.  Marshall Thompson is even more heroic than he was in First Man into Space, blowing up the nuclear reactor and all without setting off a thermonuclear blast.  There is a shower scene, va va voom!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Rick on January 10, 2001, 05:11:58 AM
I remember watching this when i was about 10 or 11 in the early 60s.It gave me the creeps, but I loved it.Its one of the best sci fi flicks to watch especially if your a kid.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Steve on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Definitely a classic!  This, SLIME PEOPLE, and THE MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD scared the bejeezus out of me as a kid, and have become my own kids staple "scary-scary monster movies"  (that's what my daughter calls them).
I truly love '50's sci-fi, and wish more of todays kids had grown up with them.  I taught a high school course in aesthetics of film and found the kids had never heard of THE THING (either version!) or THEM...if anyone wonders what is wrong with kids today...it must be a lack of 1950's b-movies.  By the way, I really loved THE CRAWLING HAND, too, but for some reason it absolutely TERRIFIES my daughter!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Tom on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
WOW, I thought I was alone in thinking this was a great movie.  As a kid, I had nightmares from this flick. This movie effected me to the point that as a Bio major in college, I was creeped out during brain disections.  I would love to see an updated version only if it was as good an update as John Carpenters "Thing" was.



Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Jon on November 25, 2006, 04:09:03 PM
No, Fiend IS the first gore movie. It was made in 1957. Blood Feast came six years after.

Ahhh...

Bless you Criterion. The DVD is exquisite. Has anyone else got The Blob and Carnival of Souls. All three make for a fine evenings entertainment, with Fiend as the finale, of course.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Georgiann on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
This one scared me silly when I was a kid.  Very effective stop-motion brain creatures slinking around like big inchworms,leaping on people and making disgusting squirting sounds when they're shot -- great gruesome stuff.  


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Tommy-Boy on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
This movie scared the beejeebahs out of me when I first saw it at age 7. My favorite part is every time one of the fiends is shot,out would squirt what appeared to be ketchup and BB's !! I always loved those parts the most,and am amazed at how good a shot that guy is with a 1911 .45 cal. pistol!! Usually you can't hit the broadside of a barn with one of those.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: brain fan on September 21, 2005, 06:18:03 PM
Great Movie and very much underrated with good special effects. I have this on tape and watched it again today. Still very effective and obviously an influence for later films including Night Of The Living Dead. Also, what a rack on the heroine Kim Parker!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: lostmissy on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
This is one of my all time "classics" . For the period and money, this is a very well done movie . It has the feel and atmosphere that the best "horror" films deliver. I first saw this on the late late night horror movieshow (or whatever) and just loved the general creepiness and buildup to the climatic battle scenes. I'm glad to hear that it is now out on DVD. This is one to own!!!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Joey on June 03, 2002, 11:25:27 PM
Watched these Fiends several times as a kid. Scared the snot out of me. Mom or dad had to check under my bed for these slimy brains before I could sleep. Still, I covered my head with the blanket and kept my pillow wraped around my fiend dining area (neck).


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: DCE on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I have fond memories of this movie, watched some Saturday night long ago on "Creature Features" (or was it "Chiller Theater"?) Haven't seen it since then, so don't know if I remember correctly ... but I seem to recall there was some snappy, sassy male/female repartee, along the lines of the original "The Thing." And I remember the flying brain/cords and the moronic sounds the recently de-brained victims made. Gotta go rent this!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Geoffrey Miller on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
This film hasn't lost any of its impact over the decades.  Still one of the most unique of the '50's science fiction movies.  Let's remake it with Tom Sizemore as Major Cummings, Cameron Diaz as Barbara Griselle and Albert Finney as Professor Walgate.  And a large special effects budget for those computer animated "fiends".  Keep the same fiend sounds, a cross between a thumping bass drum, someone walking with heavy boots in loose gravel and large teeth crunching on a cold, crisp apple.  


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Luis reyes on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
This is the best "brain Sci-Fi" film ever made! Why nobody ever considered doing a remake is beyond me...


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: dweeb on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
this was the film that convinced me monsters were real.
I saw 'part' of it, (when I wasn't hinding behind the seat), at a drive-in when I was 9.
the first of a triple feature, my brothers an I conviced mom we didn't need to stick around to see the other two.
I rank it with Houghs 'legend of hellhouse', Hitchcocks 'the birds', and Scotts 'Alien'.
Its not only a classic, its definitive.
thanks for scaring the $#!+ out of me !




Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: ChangBaKid on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Ahh, memories of CREATURE FEATURES on NYC's Channel 5 on Saturday nights before I could sneak out of the house! One of my all-time fave 50's Sci-Fi's. Pretty cheesey by today's standards, but scared the hell out of me! The 'heartbeat' preceding a brain drain is even scarier than seeing those skull suckers later on!
Could Tim Burton have seen and been influenced by this? One of the statues Michael Keaton brings to life in BEETLEJUICE definitely recalls our brainiacs!
Parting shot-watch out for that candle that moves all by itself before going out when Marshall is in the mayor's tomb.
Great movie! Great site! Pleasant neon meate dreams, y'all!

P.S.-have been a proud owner of it for many a year AND two lobby cards for the flick!!!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Joe M. on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
This is one of my faves.  I used to stay up 'till 2:00 AM to watch it on "Creature Features" when I was twelve. I'm now 42 and I'll STILL wait up to see it!  Someone needs to remake it , but they have got to do it just as campy and "bad" as the original. It would be a cult classic (again)!















Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Chris Holdroyd on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
When I was about 5?, my parents left me with a sitter on Saturdays. In Toronto. There was a movie hour that came on after 10pm. Fiend Without a face was on and I remember being more scared at this movie than the day I had a machine gun aimed at my head while travelling abroad in a place I shouldn't.

The problem was, the first half of the movie - the Fiend was in a killing mode, but I couldn't stay awake. I had to go to bed at 11 without ever seeing the brain sucker get captured! So I made my baby sitter sleep with me on the outside of the bed, so if the Fiend appeared in my room, he would suck out his brain, be full of feast, then not bother with my little brain for desert!

One of my first memories of childhood - I kid you not!


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: night heron on June 24, 2004, 09:44:46 PM
My mom and my older brother saw this movie and said it was great and they would ssslllluuurrrppp out the victems brains oooo how rude but they could be shot BANG BANG YOUR DEAD


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Cambot99 on September 18, 2005, 10:33:50 PM
This movie creeped me out a bit when I was kid, the sounds those creature make gave me chills and I found that one scene very disturbing as three fiends ganged up on one person. Fiend without a face, a real classic.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Chris B on November 25, 2006, 04:09:03 PM
When I was a kid I watched horror movies every Friday night. It was great. And then I watched A Fiend without a Face, and it frightened me to death. This film freaked me out like no other.

Years later, as an adult, I was browsing the channels when - oh my God - there was the film. You know, I kept on surfing rather than watch it because a) I didnt want to spoil my memory of the frightener, and b) because to be honest I was still a little afraid.

Hmmm...I feel better now.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: kjw on August 02, 2005, 10:39:02 PM
I have always thought that the scenes when they show what the fiends look like and when they get shot at,that their blood when coming out of their brains looked to me like a jelly donut,with the jelly coming out of the brains,and the brains looking like the donut.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Spanky Barlow on January 08, 2006, 07:30:03 PM
I saw this film probably around the year 1964 when I would have been 9.  It scared me to death.  I remember walking around for days after making sure the back of my head was always covered and protected from intentional brain sucking.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Jim on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I saw this as a kid, about age 9 or 10, and it scared me so bad that I never sought to see it again. However, I'm 41 and it still comes to mind occasionally when the subject of Sci-Fi comes up (they still haven't gotten my brain) and I'll remember this one until the day I die.


Title: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: bucket on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Fantastic. This should NEVER be remade. You can't improve on perfection. Why the f**k was this banned in Sweden?


Title: Re: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Tom on December 31, 2007, 06:28:46 PM
I am 60 years old now but I remember this movie like it was yesterday. This is the movie I talk about all the time when I start talking to my friends about horror flix. I saw this movie at our local drive-in with my parents...it was great, scared the crap out me for a long time. Awesome movie...I love horror flix.  :thumbup:


Title: Re: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Flangepart on January 04, 2008, 12:28:42 PM
The scene where the missing search party member crashes the town meeting, bellowing like the retard he has become, haunts me to this very day.  FIEND WITHOUT A FACE is an all-time favorite of mine and despite the plot holes (too numerous to mention) remains so.  Marshall Thompson is so heroic I could just puke (not to mention his being stiff as a board).  I give it five brains, that is, before the lobotomy.
Sadly, the first thing came to mind when he showed up was "He's gone all gumby!" "My brain hurrrts!"


Title: Re: Fiend Without a Face
Post by: Giant Claw Jr on October 20, 2008, 12:40:39 AM
I never saw this movie becuase it was on late at night on s chool night but my mom and one of my brothers aw it said that these things made a nasty slurping noise and could be shot with a gun


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face
Post by: Blackbead on December 17, 2008, 10:57:32 AM
Regarding Marshall Thompson's resume:  catch him in "Battleground."  I think he was 24 when it was made but looked 18.  It is definitely some of his best work.  Like the moment in the woods when he thinks he's alone in enemy territory. 

Blackbead


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face
Post by: Mykal Banta on May 02, 2009, 07:18:53 PM
Andrew: I love this movie and I loved your review. This is one film that I have been saving up to review, I like it so much. The Criterion Edition of this film is a pure pleasure with the producer, Richard Gordon, talking with Tom Weaver - one of those rare instances where a commentary track really adds something special. And who, I ask you, can resist the special effects in this film?

Your site is the Man!

PS, your "visual verification" is one of the most interesting I have ever encountered. The hyrogliphics look like some sort of symbol message out of The Blair Witch Project.  "Listen to the letters?" Why does that intimidate me so? Maybe next time I'll have the balls. OK, I've typed them in. Here goes  . . . . .-- Mykal


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face
Post by: ninfar on May 03, 2009, 06:31:13 AM
 :hot:Now this is one "cool" movie.Cant see enough of it.I think it was well before its time.It terrified me as a kid.I now own it and as many times as I watch it the movie still sents shivers down my spine.The unknown can be alot scarier then watching the real thing with "gore"One doesnt need all that gore to get completely scared and mesmerized.I think Hollywood is really going overboard with too much blood and gore.This is the scariest movie of the 50's. 


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face
Post by: Andrew on May 10, 2009, 10:44:45 AM
Andrew: I love this movie and I loved your review. This is one film that I have been saving up to review, I like it so much. The Criterion Edition of this film is a pure pleasure with the producer, Richard Gordon, talking with Tom Weaver - one of those rare instances where a commentary track really adds something special. And who, I ask you, can resist the special effects in this film?

Your site is the Man!

PS, your "visual verification" is one of the most interesting I have ever encountered. The hyrogliphics look like some sort of symbol message out of The Blair Witch Project.  "Listen to the letters?" Why does that intimidate me so? Maybe next time I'll have the balls. OK, I've typed them in. Here goes  . . . . .-- Mykal

Thank you, and this movie is one of my favorite classics.  It has all the trappings of a 50's monster movie, and the end is surprisingly gory and filled with action.  The Criterion DVD was a big surprise, and I purchased it immediately when it came out a few years back. 

The visual verification CAPTCHA is an unfortunate step, but it is the only way to allow guest posting and to prevent the system being overrun by spambots.


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face
Post by: High Ping Bastard on June 08, 2009, 03:30:23 PM
Hope you are doing well. Barbara Griselle (Kim Parker) has a KILLER bod!.... reminds me of Annette Benning :)


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face
Post by: Maurice Gianesin on November 22, 2009, 10:16:19 PM
You never know where an internet search engine will take you.
Believe it or not, Fiend without a Face is part of the covetted Criterion Collection of films. These are only the most important films dedicated to a film library which seeks to preserve and honor their artistic achievment. Laugh if you must, a film like Fiend without a face truly represents a genre type that lay the groundwork for future films of its kind. If you liked Fiend without a Face you will also like Georges Franju's "Les Yeux sans Visage" or "Eye's without a Face". Ask rocker Billy Idol why he chose Eyes without a Face as the title for one of his favorite songs. Another Criterion Collection Film to be honored by The Criterion Label.


Title: Re: Fiend Without A Face
Post by: Fredleted on May 26, 2010, 10:51:12 PM
Now, if they can make a 2010 version called, "Fiend without a Facebook!!" :buggedout: