Roger Corman’s Attack
of the Crab Monsters (1957) is a black and white horror film, centred on an
island where a group of people find themselves stuck in a treacherous
territory, heavily dominated by mutated killer crabs. As members of the crew
are murdered, the crabs continue to grow more powerful and take a hold over
their fate.
The film is a B movie and its qualities that make it one show throughout. It was an independently made film and the budget was around $70,000. Along with this, there are scenes where the crab’s claw can be seen striking the victims, only it emerges from the side of the screen, implying that the rest of the crab is right off of the edge of the camera’s view. It’s shots like this that not only lack dramatic quality and the ability to build exciting tension, but it also suggests that the creators are hiding something in terms of props and the monster’s quality of appearance. Maybe the very reason for this is to convey a sense of discretion in order to build tension, but at the same time these shots can sometimes look partially awkward in contrast to the other shots of the film. Regardless of whether this was done intentionally or if it was the result of their limited options, it does suggest that there is a lack in quality that they’re trying to keep the viewer’s eyes away from.
On a more positive note, there are parts later in the film where more of the crab’s full body is visible on screen, and despite the large papier-mâché creature with its strange looking wide eyes, there are moments where you can somewhat believe that there is a threat on screen. For a film of that year, it is understandable that audiences of that time may have found it terrifying. Towards the end of the film the crabs seem more believable and lifelike, when you get to see them closing in on the humans. Attack of the Crab Monsters might be a bit bizarre and lack some depth in character development, but one thing it does do well is save itself from becoming a total laughing stock when it comes to the monster. Although it’s unlikely that audiences of today would see this and take it totally seriously, it is clear to see that for a year so far back there must have been a real sense of threat and believability amongst the audience.
Overall, Attack of the Crab Monsters is a B movie with a budget that is noticeable and has its fair share of imperfections or improvements that could be made, but nevertheless, it also had its strong sides and is easy to really see them, if you take into consideration the year it was made and Corman’s resourcefulness in creating it.
The film is a B movie and its qualities that make it one show throughout. It was an independently made film and the budget was around $70,000. Along with this, there are scenes where the crab’s claw can be seen striking the victims, only it emerges from the side of the screen, implying that the rest of the crab is right off of the edge of the camera’s view. It’s shots like this that not only lack dramatic quality and the ability to build exciting tension, but it also suggests that the creators are hiding something in terms of props and the monster’s quality of appearance. Maybe the very reason for this is to convey a sense of discretion in order to build tension, but at the same time these shots can sometimes look partially awkward in contrast to the other shots of the film. Regardless of whether this was done intentionally or if it was the result of their limited options, it does suggest that there is a lack in quality that they’re trying to keep the viewer’s eyes away from.
On a more positive note, there are parts later in the film where more of the crab’s full body is visible on screen, and despite the large papier-mâché creature with its strange looking wide eyes, there are moments where you can somewhat believe that there is a threat on screen. For a film of that year, it is understandable that audiences of that time may have found it terrifying. Towards the end of the film the crabs seem more believable and lifelike, when you get to see them closing in on the humans. Attack of the Crab Monsters might be a bit bizarre and lack some depth in character development, but one thing it does do well is save itself from becoming a total laughing stock when it comes to the monster. Although it’s unlikely that audiences of today would see this and take it totally seriously, it is clear to see that for a year so far back there must have been a real sense of threat and believability amongst the audience.
Overall, Attack of the Crab Monsters is a B movie with a budget that is noticeable and has its fair share of imperfections or improvements that could be made, but nevertheless, it also had its strong sides and is easy to really see them, if you take into consideration the year it was made and Corman’s resourcefulness in creating it.
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