I really have an affection for this truly campy, cheaply-made, cheesy film from the early 80's. Wes Craven, before he hits it real big, obviously has some directorial flair, but there is a lot here that is atypical of his work. The special effects are really cheap, I mean, aside from the Swamp Thing outfit, everything else is very badly done from the hideous, cowardly midget to the overblown, terrible outfit of another "fearsome" monster that personifies the very essence of evil - or so we are told. It would be very easy to dissect this film for all of its obvious faults, but what I do like is that it has that feel of an old sci-fi film from years gone by - good vs. evil. It has some decent acting and set locations. Louis Jourdan plays the suave villain as well as anybody and David Hess(Last House on the Left fame) plays a despicable henchman with few peers. And Adrienne Barbeau? She bares it and is beautiful in all forms of undress as her cleavage barely manages to stay on as she runs through swampland. She plays Alice Cable, a love interest for the Swamp Thing, a creation of serendipity and scientific experimentation. The story, loosely based on a comic book, is liberally dosed with action, inane dialog, and what you would expect for a film of this ilk, but all enjoyable. I enjoyed the character of Jude too, played with an innocence to acting(and perhaps talent) that few films would allow but comes off I think. Besides, Adrienne Barbeau is in it - this is one of the few times I really would like to have Cable!
91 Reviews
A Tale of a Mutant Born on a Bayou
Minus_The_Beer2 August 2011
From the mastermind behind such disturbing horror classics as "The Hills Have Eyes" and "Last House on the Left" comes a new dimension in terror
"Swamp Thing!"
Yes, "Swamp Thing." For real. Wes Craven really directed a "Swamp Thing" movie.
Showing the world that he was capable of handling more than just mutants and lowlifes, Craven set to adapting the comic series of the same name to film. The results? Well, let's just say there's some mutants, some lowlifes and a topless Adrienne Barbeau. Not a bad mix if one may say so.
Meet Dr. Alec Holland. Holland, played by the great Ray Wise, is a scientist who likes spending his free time bogged down in the swamp. On the verge of an ecological breakthrough, he is tragically transformed into a hideous yet unstoppable mutant. Treading water and stomping through the bayou, it's up to him to help save a beautiful colleague (Barbeau) from certain danger while trying to come to terms with his rubber suit I mean his new body.
The film is mostly harmless fluff. Craven has his heart in the right place, and even when the film misfires (as it so often does) it's hard not to love it regardless. Barbeau absolutely steals the show and runs with it, although it must be noted that in the short time he spends on film, Ray Wise delivers a charming and wholly human performance. David Hess also pops in to do what he does best: playing a merciless thug. There's also a score by Harry Manfredini at hand that evokes images of Crystal Lake, but for the purposes of this film, let's just call it Crystal Marsh. Also, look out for a cameo from the elusive Manbearpig towards the end of the film.
In the end, "Swamp Thing" is far from the finest comic adaptation, but then again, it's not the worst either. Fact of the matter is that it's a harmless and enjoyable affair, provided one is in the appropriate state of mind. Filled to the brim with oddball characters (Jude deserves his own spin-off) and goofy monster antics, "Swamp Thing" is an odd creature that you can't help but adore.
Yes, "Swamp Thing." For real. Wes Craven really directed a "Swamp Thing" movie.
Showing the world that he was capable of handling more than just mutants and lowlifes, Craven set to adapting the comic series of the same name to film. The results? Well, let's just say there's some mutants, some lowlifes and a topless Adrienne Barbeau. Not a bad mix if one may say so.
Meet Dr. Alec Holland. Holland, played by the great Ray Wise, is a scientist who likes spending his free time bogged down in the swamp. On the verge of an ecological breakthrough, he is tragically transformed into a hideous yet unstoppable mutant. Treading water and stomping through the bayou, it's up to him to help save a beautiful colleague (Barbeau) from certain danger while trying to come to terms with his rubber suit I mean his new body.
The film is mostly harmless fluff. Craven has his heart in the right place, and even when the film misfires (as it so often does) it's hard not to love it regardless. Barbeau absolutely steals the show and runs with it, although it must be noted that in the short time he spends on film, Ray Wise delivers a charming and wholly human performance. David Hess also pops in to do what he does best: playing a merciless thug. There's also a score by Harry Manfredini at hand that evokes images of Crystal Lake, but for the purposes of this film, let's just call it Crystal Marsh. Also, look out for a cameo from the elusive Manbearpig towards the end of the film.
In the end, "Swamp Thing" is far from the finest comic adaptation, but then again, it's not the worst either. Fact of the matter is that it's a harmless and enjoyable affair, provided one is in the appropriate state of mind. Filled to the brim with oddball characters (Jude deserves his own spin-off) and goofy monster antics, "Swamp Thing" is an odd creature that you can't help but adore.
Mildly entertaining comic-book crud from Wes Craven.
BA_Harrison12 July 2013
If only the first half of Wes Craven's Swamp Thing had been as incredibly craptastic as the second: the latter part of the film sees a henchmen transformed into a disfigured dwarf, the villain of the piece becoming a sword-wielding wolf/pig creature with a really hairy back, and Adrienne Barbeau stripping off to take a skinny dip in a swamp (mind the leeches, deary).
Sadly, in order to get to this cheezy but still very fun stuff, the viewer has to trawl through lots of bland comic-book tosh including a dreary introduction to the characters, repetitive poorly staged fight and chase scenes featuring David Hess and his team of stereotypically dumb henchmen, and clumsily handled attempts at tragedy and pathos. It doesn't help either that the central character, The Swamp Thing, is so crap to look at—a man in a rubbishy rubber suit that buckles unconvincingly at the joints.
Worth a look if you're a big fan of the comics, Craven or Barbeau, but casual viewers will probably switch off before they even get to the most enjoyable bits.
Sadly, in order to get to this cheezy but still very fun stuff, the viewer has to trawl through lots of bland comic-book tosh including a dreary introduction to the characters, repetitive poorly staged fight and chase scenes featuring David Hess and his team of stereotypically dumb henchmen, and clumsily handled attempts at tragedy and pathos. It doesn't help either that the central character, The Swamp Thing, is so crap to look at—a man in a rubbishy rubber suit that buckles unconvincingly at the joints.
Worth a look if you're a big fan of the comics, Craven or Barbeau, but casual viewers will probably switch off before they even get to the most enjoyable bits.
A Fun, Class B Flick
ccthemovieman-120 August 2006
This reminded me of the 1950s science-fiction/horror films with its primitive dialog, hokey action scenes and laughable makeup for the monsters. Oh, man, does this look bad as time goes on and we have been treated to 25 years of great special-effects since this was made.
What makes this more attractive to watch than those '50s films, however, are great swamp photography, Adrienne Barbeau's body and a story that moves fast. Barbeau, as she was prone to do, appears to be only this is to show off her massive chest. However, it's pretty harmless fun, very tame compared to the horror movies of the past generation regarding gore and profanity. It's also pretty tame for a Wes Craven-directed film.
In the end, it's a good Class B film, usually fun to watch for a number of reasons.
What makes this more attractive to watch than those '50s films, however, are great swamp photography, Adrienne Barbeau's body and a story that moves fast. Barbeau, as she was prone to do, appears to be only this is to show off her massive chest. However, it's pretty harmless fun, very tame compared to the horror movies of the past generation regarding gore and profanity. It's also pretty tame for a Wes Craven-directed film.
In the end, it's a good Class B film, usually fun to watch for a number of reasons.
Campy and cheesy sci-film from horror legend Wes Craven, a nice treat too it features sexy screen queen Adrienne Barbeau.
blanbrn7 September 2007
Wes Craven, who's normally known for his horror films that bring terror and fright, here with this 1982 entry he toned it down a lot. 1982's "Swamp Thing" is certainly campy as you can tell from the scenes it's cheap made and the sets look unrealistic and finally the costume of the creature is much to be desired. Still for a 1982 film well before the big computer and special effects graphic boom it held up pretty good and it's still a fun little watch and it was nice to be treated to Adrienne Barbeau's performance. Set in the muggy and swamp land of the deep southern US a scientist Alec Holland(Ray Wise)meets up with a sexy federal government agent Alice Cable(Adrienne Barbeau)and they develop a cure thru chemicals that is supposed to end hunger. A bad guy nemesis Arcane(Louis Jourdan)plans to steal the serum potion and use it for his own deadly benefits, yet it backfires one day and Holland becomes Swamp Thing a half man and half plant superhero. From then like your typical comic book fashion the good guy against bad guy chase and adventure starts with the hero saving mankind, the planet, and the damsel. Overall good yet nothing great, an extra treat is the lake river bath of Adrienne when she gets topless! A good sexy performance from Barbeau that freshens up the dull camp and cheesy feel of this sci-fi cult film.
Hilarious
Filmnerd19843 April 2010
Hilarious campy cheesefest "Swamp Thing" is an interesting look on Wes Craven's work as a director. people call him a hit and miss director, but i think he just says once in a while "damn it, lets just have fun on this movie". or maybe when studio execs are breathing down his neck he just makes things the opposite of what he wants. a good example would be "Cursed", he hated the studio interference according to the man himself. and he made an in-joke gester about it in the film. the werewolf giving the finger. Hilarious. in my opinion Craven is a great director. sometimes he'll make deadly serious horrors and sometimes he makes them funny. And trust me Swamp Thing is funny!
Good Scenes Complimented with Not so Good Scenes
eibon092 November 2001
Not a masterpiece by any means but still an entertaining film with a couple of postives. One, the appearence of Adrienne Barbeau who shows here why she was a mainstay in American horror films during the late 70s to early 80s. Two, the humorous but slightly dark appoarch of the material. Now for the negatives of the films. One, the acting goes from being very good to very bad in seconds. Two, the inconsistency of the film's sequences and story. Swamp Thing(1982) is what I consider a transitional film that bridges his early films of Last House on the Left(1972), and The Hills Have Eyes(1977) to his mid 1980s films like A Nightmare on Elm Street(1984). A very satifying performance is given by Last House on the Left(1972) actor, David Hess. Its too bad that Craven never worked with David Hess after this film because Hess added a true feeling of screen villainly in his performances for LHOTL & Swamp Thing(1982). Swamp Thing(1982) belongs in the category of cult classic status and as a middle of the road type of film for Wes Craven.
Dull and uninspired until the final act
Groverdox18 November 2017
For most of its run-time, "Swamp Thing" feels like an episode of "Tales From the Crypt" or "The Outer Limits" stretched out to feature length.
The film contains no surprises until one hour and eleven minutes into its hour-and-a-half run time. If you can't tell, I was counting.
Even if you've never heard of the DC character of the same name, you can see every twist and turn coming straight from the opening scenes. A good man and a good woman are working on a top secret formula in a lab in the Louisiana bayou. A bad guy - basically a third rate Bond villain - shows up with an army led by the always dependable David Hess and set about trying to steal the formula. In the process, the good guy is dosed with it and becomes the titular Swamp Thing.
I think the problem with this movie is that Wes Craven made it to prove he could direct an action movie. He proves that he was a remarkably average action director. Sure, it's a "monster movie", but the Swamp Thing is also a good guy; you're not supposed to be scared of him, and there is no attempt to make him such.
The only time the movie shows you anything interesting or surprising is in the final 20 minutes, where Craven is finally allowed to inject some horror into the proceedings. This is where the director obviously felt at home; it's the only time I was able to concentrate on the movie.
In its final act "Swamp Thing" turns into an "Island of Doctor Moreau" type of story, and it's only there that it becomes effective.
But after an hour and eleven minutes of pure tedium and mediocrity, you might have nodded off missed it.
The film contains no surprises until one hour and eleven minutes into its hour-and-a-half run time. If you can't tell, I was counting.
Even if you've never heard of the DC character of the same name, you can see every twist and turn coming straight from the opening scenes. A good man and a good woman are working on a top secret formula in a lab in the Louisiana bayou. A bad guy - basically a third rate Bond villain - shows up with an army led by the always dependable David Hess and set about trying to steal the formula. In the process, the good guy is dosed with it and becomes the titular Swamp Thing.
I think the problem with this movie is that Wes Craven made it to prove he could direct an action movie. He proves that he was a remarkably average action director. Sure, it's a "monster movie", but the Swamp Thing is also a good guy; you're not supposed to be scared of him, and there is no attempt to make him such.
The only time the movie shows you anything interesting or surprising is in the final 20 minutes, where Craven is finally allowed to inject some horror into the proceedings. This is where the director obviously felt at home; it's the only time I was able to concentrate on the movie.
In its final act "Swamp Thing" turns into an "Island of Doctor Moreau" type of story, and it's only there that it becomes effective.
But after an hour and eleven minutes of pure tedium and mediocrity, you might have nodded off missed it.
Silly Fun
barrynewblood8 October 2020
A woman is sent from D.C. to see what a scientist is up to in the swamps of Louisiana and gets caught in the middle of a terrifying siege where a wealthy sociopath pops in to steal the formula the scientist is working on. In the process, the scientist is transformed into a monster and he teams up with the woman to get revenge on those who are after the formula.
Swamp Thing won't ever be known as one of Wes Craven's finest films. It sometimes feels a little more low budget than it probably was and some moments feel like they need more time to breathe and some feel like they've had too much room to breathe. The romance between Barbeau and Wise could have been better handled, because as is, it feels like it comes out of nowhere. They just met a few hours ago and they're already kissing? C'mon!
There's a decent sense of humor throughout the whole film that helps a lot and Louis Jordan and David Hess make a terrific bad guy pair.
Swamp Thing won't ever be known as one of Wes Craven's finest films. It sometimes feels a little more low budget than it probably was and some moments feel like they need more time to breathe and some feel like they've had too much room to breathe. The romance between Barbeau and Wise could have been better handled, because as is, it feels like it comes out of nowhere. They just met a few hours ago and they're already kissing? C'mon!
There's a decent sense of humor throughout the whole film that helps a lot and Louis Jordan and David Hess make a terrific bad guy pair.
Mostly, a victim of its time
vigilantereviewer21 March 2019
Wes Craven's Swamp Thing is a victim of its time. The plot is pretty simple which makes it a little boring at times. The movie's action scenes are very campy, and, other than the final fight, they do not really ruin much of the movie. The acting of Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau, and Ray Wise give the movie a few great character moments to save the film from being a terrible movie. With its mostly delightful campiness and good acting, Swamp Thing becomes an enjoyable film to watch but far from a great film.
Highly Entertaining
claudio_carvalho31 July 2020
The American Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau) travels to a secret governmental bio laboratory of research in the swamp to replace a missing scientist. Soon she befriends the leader of the research Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise) and his sister Dr. Linda Holland (Nannette Brown) and she learns that Alec is developing a hybrid plant combined with animal with the intention to solve the world hunger. However, the ambitious and wealthy Arcane (Louis Jourdan) sends a paramilitary team to steal the research and kill all the team. But there is an accident and the formula spills on Dr. Alec Holland and set him on fire. He disappears in the swamp and Alice is the only survivor of the laboratory team. She hides the seventh notebook with the Alec´s formula and runs to the forest and soon she notes that something is protect her.
"Swamp Thing" is a different film by Wes Craven based on a D.C. Comics. The IMDb rating is unfair since the movie is highly entertaining. One of the greatest attractions is Mrs. "John Carpenter" Adrienne Barbeau, for whom the Swamp Thing falls in love. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "O Monstro do Pântano" ("The Swamp Monster")
"Swamp Thing" is a different film by Wes Craven based on a D.C. Comics. The IMDb rating is unfair since the movie is highly entertaining. One of the greatest attractions is Mrs. "John Carpenter" Adrienne Barbeau, for whom the Swamp Thing falls in love. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "O Monstro do Pântano" ("The Swamp Monster")
A film more mutated than the man himself
garynorton10 March 2019
Clearly the budget was a major issue, but the script and story are v poor. Sadly, Wes Craveb has to resort to throwing some breaths and bums into the film. I hope Andrienne Barbeau was rewarded handsomely for having to bare her breasts, which are probably the films best asset.
Looking forward to seeing what the tv show makes of the character when it arrives. It will certainly look like Kew Gardens botanical garden as opposed this dried out dead husk in a plant pot. The occasional unintentional "so bad, it's great" moment does make up for some of it. A henchman being inadvertently turned by the Swamp Thing formula into a monster midget is funny not only for how daft it looks, but his clothes shrink down to match his size.
Waterlogged.
gridoon22 June 2003
"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)
So bad and insane it becomes awesome
juneebuggy27 August 2020
This was unbelievably bad. It reminded me of those 1950s horror films with its primitive dialogue, hokey action scenes, well dressed damsel in distress and laughable makeup for the monsters except its Wes Craven circa 1982. However because this is so terrible it also becomes very watchable. Its corny, campy fun and at times I couldn't believe what I was seeing or what insane thing was going to come at me next.
Story follows scientist Dr. Alec Holland who is transformed into a plant creature while working on his project to create a new plant/animal species capable of thriving in extreme conditions. Chaos ensues.
Swamp Thing spends his time in an ill fitting rubber suit, roaring and waving his arms at the sky. Damsel in distress is in a ball gown and high heels swimming around in the swamp, endless bad guys get thrown through the air by Swamp Thing or exploded out of boats- this became a joke actually. The last act goes off the rails completely with Adrienne Barbeau taken hostage and tied to a chair during a formal dinner at the bad guys mansion where none of the guests seem to notice or care. The body guard/henchmen is turned into a disfigured little person and the bad guy becomes a sword welding hairy aardvark creature who battles Swamp Thing to the death. You know what, I take it back, this was awesome.
Story follows scientist Dr. Alec Holland who is transformed into a plant creature while working on his project to create a new plant/animal species capable of thriving in extreme conditions. Chaos ensues.
Swamp Thing spends his time in an ill fitting rubber suit, roaring and waving his arms at the sky. Damsel in distress is in a ball gown and high heels swimming around in the swamp, endless bad guys get thrown through the air by Swamp Thing or exploded out of boats- this became a joke actually. The last act goes off the rails completely with Adrienne Barbeau taken hostage and tied to a chair during a formal dinner at the bad guys mansion where none of the guests seem to notice or care. The body guard/henchmen is turned into a disfigured little person and the bad guy becomes a sword welding hairy aardvark creature who battles Swamp Thing to the death. You know what, I take it back, this was awesome.
Possibly Wes Craven's Most Overlooked Film
gavin694213 October 2011
After a violent incident with a special chemical, a research scientist (Ray Wise) is turned into a swamp plant monster.
We have iconic director Wes Craven, the great actress Adrienne Barbeau, great actor David Hess and the composer Harry Manfredini. How can a horror fan watch this and not be in some kind of heaven?
Roger Ebert says this film is "one of those movies that fall somewhere between buried treasures and guilty pleasures." He further says it is "an off-the-wall, eccentric, peculiar movie fueled by the demented obsessions of its makers." He means this in the nicest way possible, and I love him for that.
Author John Kenneth Muir notes that Swamp Thing differs in many respects from Craven's usual work, in that Craven's intent was to show the major Hollywood studios that he could handle action, stunts and major stars. Craven substituted his usual focus on the problems of the family and society for pure entertainment. And you know what? He did it flawlessly.
Why is this film in French on Netflix? There has to be a good reason, but I have no idea why. Also, this film needs a decent DVD release. The Netflix one looks like a VHS transfer. I know it was released a few years ago, but how about a 30th anniversary edition in 2012 with some good features?
And lastly, how this scores a PG rating with three topless women is beyond me. But, well played, Wes.
We have iconic director Wes Craven, the great actress Adrienne Barbeau, great actor David Hess and the composer Harry Manfredini. How can a horror fan watch this and not be in some kind of heaven?
Roger Ebert says this film is "one of those movies that fall somewhere between buried treasures and guilty pleasures." He further says it is "an off-the-wall, eccentric, peculiar movie fueled by the demented obsessions of its makers." He means this in the nicest way possible, and I love him for that.
Author John Kenneth Muir notes that Swamp Thing differs in many respects from Craven's usual work, in that Craven's intent was to show the major Hollywood studios that he could handle action, stunts and major stars. Craven substituted his usual focus on the problems of the family and society for pure entertainment. And you know what? He did it flawlessly.
Why is this film in French on Netflix? There has to be a good reason, but I have no idea why. Also, this film needs a decent DVD release. The Netflix one looks like a VHS transfer. I know it was released a few years ago, but how about a 30th anniversary edition in 2012 with some good features?
And lastly, how this scores a PG rating with three topless women is beyond me. But, well played, Wes.
Cheap and Bad
davidmvining1 July 2022
Apparently Wes Craven took this comic book adaptation to prove a couple of things to studios: that he could work with action and that he could work with movie stars. Is it a surprise that he didn't get Batman immediately after this, a few years before Tim Burton got his shot, after everyone saw Swamp Thing? I don't think he actually proved that he was any good at action, perhaps serviceable at best. The performance he got from Adrienne Barbeau is serviceable as well. The largest problem is that the film is somewhere between a loving homage to 40s and 50s Universal monster movies and simply a bad addition to the genre. Taking itself too seriously to be comic, and too poorly written to be taken seriously, Swamp Thing is surprisingly inept.
Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau) is a scientist of something and arrives at a remote research station in the middle of a swamp (actually Monck's Corner, South Carolina, just a few miles from me) where she meets Alec Holland (Ray Wise), a brilliant scientist working to find a chemical that will gives plants the ability to defend themselves (you know, Poison Ivy's evil plan in Batman & Robin). There's some awkward flirting between the two, especially since Alice thinks, wrongly, that Dr. Linda Holland, Alec's assistant, is his wife when she's actually his sister for half of it. They've just met, Alice thought he was married and rebuffed him, and that's about it for their personal interactions. Oh, and their love story is emotional bedrock on which the film is built. This is not a good start.
The chemical that Holland is developing is greatly desired by Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan), a vaguely European bad guy who wants it for...reasons. It's not clear. He sends in a troop of commandos led by Ferret (David Hess) to attack and retrieve the formula. The attack succeeds in getting Alec burned and covered in the stuff before they burn the whole place down, leaving only Alice alive. They don't actually get the formula, though, so they have to go back and forth with Arcane to return to the place and try to retrieve it. They find Alice, nearly drown her, but she's saved by a mysterious thing in the swamp, a humanlike creature who pops up from the water with incredible strength.
One of the reasons I don't think this film works is the Swamp Thing suit itself (well, any of the creature effects). It's horribly cheap and unconvincing, a seemingly solid piece of rubber that just hangs off of the stuntman's body (Dick Durock). Looking at the poster, it seems obvious that the original concept of the creature was supposed to be far more hulking and muscular, but with the stuntman almost always just standing upright and the suit just hanging off of his shoulders, there's little to no definition, especially around his legs. It looks silly. Is this supposed to be funny or scary? It looks like it's supposed to be part of a joke, but the film doesn't have that sort of joking tone except in small moments here and there. It takes itself too seriously for that.
Anyway, Alice wanders the swamps looking for help, finding a nearly abandoned gas station populated only by the twelve-year-old Jude (Reggie Batts). Together, they are going to go back to the hidden lab and find the key notebook that Arcane and his men missed. They retrieve it, get almost instantly attacked by Ferret who only takes Alice captive and ignores Jude after hitting him over the head (convenient for Alice since Jude actually had the notebook very obviously stuffed into his shirt), and then Alice instantly gets away again by kicking him in the groin on Arcane's boat and successfully swimming away. She ultimately gets saved by Swamp Thing, who has also healed Jude of his head injury and retrieved the notebook.
This is a busy film, moving from one event to the next, and nothing really connects on any level. The lack of any emotional journey prevents any sort of emotional connection. The silly suit prevents any sense of danger on a monster level. The action is adequate enough to not be a distraction but not outrageous or skilled enough to be a draw on its own. On top of that, character motivations, especially Arcane's are murky at best.
The finale of the film involves Arcane's castle-like lair, testing the chemical on a few people, and a monster fight between the silly looking Swamp Thing and a wolf mask that doesn't articulate at all and feels like it was picked up at a costume shop. The earnestness Swamp Thing tries to portray when he sticks his hand up into the light to try and regrow a limb in seconds (despite having been de-limbed during the day and walking around in sunlight for a while afterwards) undermines any idea that this was supposed to be campy fun. It's earnestly trying to play these moments, and they all just fall flat. Oh, and Barbeau is running around in a lowcut dress.
This movie dragged, but it did have a few moments here and there. Reggie Batts is actually kind of fun as Jude, and there are bits of humor that made me chuckle like right after Ferret dies and Arcane makes the pronouncement that they're leaving. They're few and far between, though.
I can see how this film didn't really help Wes Craven's career. His next two projects were another made for television film and the sequel to The Hills Have Eyes (that he never technically finished and got released in sort of finished form after the success of A Nightmare on Elm Street). It's not very fun, not very involving, and not very good.
Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau) is a scientist of something and arrives at a remote research station in the middle of a swamp (actually Monck's Corner, South Carolina, just a few miles from me) where she meets Alec Holland (Ray Wise), a brilliant scientist working to find a chemical that will gives plants the ability to defend themselves (you know, Poison Ivy's evil plan in Batman & Robin). There's some awkward flirting between the two, especially since Alice thinks, wrongly, that Dr. Linda Holland, Alec's assistant, is his wife when she's actually his sister for half of it. They've just met, Alice thought he was married and rebuffed him, and that's about it for their personal interactions. Oh, and their love story is emotional bedrock on which the film is built. This is not a good start.
The chemical that Holland is developing is greatly desired by Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan), a vaguely European bad guy who wants it for...reasons. It's not clear. He sends in a troop of commandos led by Ferret (David Hess) to attack and retrieve the formula. The attack succeeds in getting Alec burned and covered in the stuff before they burn the whole place down, leaving only Alice alive. They don't actually get the formula, though, so they have to go back and forth with Arcane to return to the place and try to retrieve it. They find Alice, nearly drown her, but she's saved by a mysterious thing in the swamp, a humanlike creature who pops up from the water with incredible strength.
One of the reasons I don't think this film works is the Swamp Thing suit itself (well, any of the creature effects). It's horribly cheap and unconvincing, a seemingly solid piece of rubber that just hangs off of the stuntman's body (Dick Durock). Looking at the poster, it seems obvious that the original concept of the creature was supposed to be far more hulking and muscular, but with the stuntman almost always just standing upright and the suit just hanging off of his shoulders, there's little to no definition, especially around his legs. It looks silly. Is this supposed to be funny or scary? It looks like it's supposed to be part of a joke, but the film doesn't have that sort of joking tone except in small moments here and there. It takes itself too seriously for that.
Anyway, Alice wanders the swamps looking for help, finding a nearly abandoned gas station populated only by the twelve-year-old Jude (Reggie Batts). Together, they are going to go back to the hidden lab and find the key notebook that Arcane and his men missed. They retrieve it, get almost instantly attacked by Ferret who only takes Alice captive and ignores Jude after hitting him over the head (convenient for Alice since Jude actually had the notebook very obviously stuffed into his shirt), and then Alice instantly gets away again by kicking him in the groin on Arcane's boat and successfully swimming away. She ultimately gets saved by Swamp Thing, who has also healed Jude of his head injury and retrieved the notebook.
This is a busy film, moving from one event to the next, and nothing really connects on any level. The lack of any emotional journey prevents any sort of emotional connection. The silly suit prevents any sense of danger on a monster level. The action is adequate enough to not be a distraction but not outrageous or skilled enough to be a draw on its own. On top of that, character motivations, especially Arcane's are murky at best.
The finale of the film involves Arcane's castle-like lair, testing the chemical on a few people, and a monster fight between the silly looking Swamp Thing and a wolf mask that doesn't articulate at all and feels like it was picked up at a costume shop. The earnestness Swamp Thing tries to portray when he sticks his hand up into the light to try and regrow a limb in seconds (despite having been de-limbed during the day and walking around in sunlight for a while afterwards) undermines any idea that this was supposed to be campy fun. It's earnestly trying to play these moments, and they all just fall flat. Oh, and Barbeau is running around in a lowcut dress.
This movie dragged, but it did have a few moments here and there. Reggie Batts is actually kind of fun as Jude, and there are bits of humor that made me chuckle like right after Ferret dies and Arcane makes the pronouncement that they're leaving. They're few and far between, though.
I can see how this film didn't really help Wes Craven's career. His next two projects were another made for television film and the sequel to The Hills Have Eyes (that he never technically finished and got released in sort of finished form after the success of A Nightmare on Elm Street). It's not very fun, not very involving, and not very good.
"Local fisherman say this place is haunted".
lost-in-limbo30 April 2011
A good, but not particularly spectacular superhero comic-strip outing (off DC comics) by writer / director Wes Craven. A threadbare, but glum story (filled with tragedy and vengeance) seems to only repeat its actions on a continuously patchy loop (wandering around the swamp fleeing from bad guys to be only captured and flee again with the swamp thing always appearing from nowhere to rescue the day), but there's a welcoming dose of humour and some good solid central performances by Adrienne Barbeau, Louis Jourdan, David Hess and Ray Wise. Craven inventively frames the activity with some comic book-like touches between scenes, but it's the effective location work that does it wonders. The swamp terrain is masterfully captured, as the muggy atmosphere is thick and Craven cooks up some stylishly arresting imagery with his use positional lighting. Harry Manfredini's music score is fitting. The creature effects do stand-up well enough (rubber suits), well some more so than others and there's an impressively unusual transformation sequence --- although the final result of it isn't as so. Still Craven stagy direction packs this venture with fun, overblown nonsense, but it's enjoyably campy. Stunt-work is done with plenty of energy, big ambitions and vehicles/stunt-men getting plenty of air in the wake of destruction. Plus who gets guys wrestling about in the swamps in costume.
Barbeau becomes bait and gets wet quite a bit, but brings a strong-willed presence to her character and Jourdan gives out a brazen bad guy turn. Hess eats up his role as a mercenary and as well as Nicholas Worth. Wise is fruitfully likable in his short time on screen and Dick Durock has a strong solemn air about when donning that Swamp thing suit. Reggie Batts (in his one and only ever film role!) is quite memorable as the very-laid back Jude, who's there for some comical relief and it surprisingly works. Don Knight also appears.
Standard but diverting comic-book fare.
Barbeau becomes bait and gets wet quite a bit, but brings a strong-willed presence to her character and Jourdan gives out a brazen bad guy turn. Hess eats up his role as a mercenary and as well as Nicholas Worth. Wise is fruitfully likable in his short time on screen and Dick Durock has a strong solemn air about when donning that Swamp thing suit. Reggie Batts (in his one and only ever film role!) is quite memorable as the very-laid back Jude, who's there for some comical relief and it surprisingly works. Don Knight also appears.
Standard but diverting comic-book fare.
Much beauty in the swamp, if you only look.
reddiemurf8127 December 2021
Alec Holland, through an accident prompted by evil men, becomes the creature known
as Swamp Thing. A perfected plant beast with incredible strength and dang near invulnerable. Will Swamp Thing be able
to the evil Arcane's plans?!?
Made 40 yrs ago with a 3 million dollar budget,, it could've been done better, but still pretty good for the time, just don't expect perfection.
While I definitely prefer the sequel (Heather Locklear 😍), and the tv show is great,, this one is alright for the person who has no clue what Swamp Thing is. Rifftrax really needs to cover it though. I'd give it a 5.9 rating.
Made 40 yrs ago with a 3 million dollar budget,, it could've been done better, but still pretty good for the time, just don't expect perfection.
While I definitely prefer the sequel (Heather Locklear 😍), and the tv show is great,, this one is alright for the person who has no clue what Swamp Thing is. Rifftrax really needs to cover it though. I'd give it a 5.9 rating.
Weird, goofy supernatural/sci-fi superhero movie ...
AlsExGal28 January 2017
... with the unlikely Wes Craven as director. Brilliant scientist Dr. Alec Holland (Ray Wise) is conducting experiments for the US government deep in the heart of bayou swamp country. The isolation causes a lot of turnover in employees at the lab, so new recruit Alice Cable (Adrienne Barbeau) arrives as a replacement. She's just in time for the lab to be attacked by mercenary goons in the employ of the diabolical Arcane (Louis Jourdan). Holland is doused in an experimental substance and set on fire, left to die in the swamp. However, instead of dying, he is reborn as Swamp Thing, a tall, super strong humanoid made out of green plant material. He uses his new found strength to battle Arcane and his men.
Barbeau makes a good, tough female hero, and Jourdan has fun with his villainous role. Veteran stuntman Dick Durock plays the title green guy, a role he would reprise in the film's sequel seven years later, as well as a TV show spin-off in 1990. Frequent B-movie bad guys David Hess and Nicholas Worth also have a lot of screen time as Arcane's chief thugs. The effects are a bit on the cheap side, but it adds to the film's charm. The whole enterprise has a comic-book vibe, and fits in with the late 70s superhero style; it's not as cheesy as the 60s BATMAN TV show, but keeps some comic touches, like the Christopher Reeves SUPERMAN films or the Tim Burton BATMAN films.
It's also not quite clear who the audience for this was supposed to be. It has the aforementioned comic book style, and the story never gets more complicated than say a middle-school level. But it also features some gruesome violence and some nudity. It managed a PG rating (this was before PG-13), and you can tell there were some awkward edits to tone down the language. Based on the DC Comics characters.
Barbeau makes a good, tough female hero, and Jourdan has fun with his villainous role. Veteran stuntman Dick Durock plays the title green guy, a role he would reprise in the film's sequel seven years later, as well as a TV show spin-off in 1990. Frequent B-movie bad guys David Hess and Nicholas Worth also have a lot of screen time as Arcane's chief thugs. The effects are a bit on the cheap side, but it adds to the film's charm. The whole enterprise has a comic-book vibe, and fits in with the late 70s superhero style; it's not as cheesy as the 60s BATMAN TV show, but keeps some comic touches, like the Christopher Reeves SUPERMAN films or the Tim Burton BATMAN films.
It's also not quite clear who the audience for this was supposed to be. It has the aforementioned comic book style, and the story never gets more complicated than say a middle-school level. But it also features some gruesome violence and some nudity. It managed a PG rating (this was before PG-13), and you can tell there were some awkward edits to tone down the language. Based on the DC Comics characters.
Incredibly dumb and boring
Coventry7 August 2005
Even though I always thought of Wes Craven as an overrated and vainglorious director, I did expect that he was capable of doing something more (and better) with the adaptation of the Swamp Thing comic book. Guess I'm still giving him too much credit! This was meant to be an adventurous horror-comedy but it isn't funny or scary and it definitely doesn't contain much adventure! It's hard to believe how dreadfully boring the screenplay is, especially considering the potential of the premise and the beauty of the filming locations. The titular creature is a peaceable being, mainly occupied with protecting his love-interest from the bad people that are after her. He himself got mutated into a hideous creature when these same villains broke into his lab to steal his groundbreaking formulas that turn plants into nourishment for the Third World. The only really good element about this production is the well-chosen cast, with a great Louis Jourdan as the nemesis who seems to come straight out of a James Bond movie and David Hess ("Last House on the Left") as the relentless and savage crook. Adrienne Barbeau also is a great choice for the female lead and she has a wonderful nude-bathing sequence in the swamp (I thought that was worth mentioning!). The make-up effects are pretty weak and the last half hour is a giant mess. "Swamp Thing" is not worth your time.
I Will Always Be Your Swamp Thang
mercuryix14 September 2000
Based on an successful DC comicbook about a scientist who transforms ino the title creature when his experiment goes wrong, Swamp Thing is an odd "horror" movie, in that it barely qualifies as "horror" at all. "Silly" is the only way this film can be described; a sweet-natured horror movie? Only the bad guy is bad, and even he is so campy it's like watching Vincent Price's Dr. Phibes on vallium. It almost seems to take a Beauty and the Beast tone after the scientist becomes the mossy Swamp Thing, who is mostly confined to a swamp where most of the action occurs. Now if Barbou were only a Vegan, this relationship would be paradise. Sorry; the movie inspires silly comments. It's not a parody, not a schlocky 60s flick, but surprisingly good-natured and above all, sincere. Rather odd for 80s horror. Watching it alone will inspire boredom, but watching it with friends will make for fun and loads of witty comments. Don't miss the romantic bittersweet goodbye at the end. Guess Barbou wasn't a Vegan after all.
An era DC would probably like to forget
bowmanblue21 March 2017
If you're keeping up to date with the now rampant battle between comic powerhouses Marvel and DC then you'll probably know that Marvel are waaaaay ahead with their 'shared universe' and DC are, despite Batman, Superman and Margot Robbie in hotpants, lagging behind significantly. Back before such an epic cinematic conflict took place, DC had a fair few minor 'superheroes' on the silver screen, yet little way made of it. 'Swamp Thing' is one such example. And for good reason. It's pretty awful.
Many people have slated DC's recent offerings such as 'Batman vs Superman' and 'Suicide Squad.' Personally, I quite enjoyed them, but if people had to sit through 'Swamp Thing' they'd really have something to gripe about! I watched it for three reasons: (1) It had Ray Wise in it. He's hardly a 'big name' in cinema, but, if you've seen him in 'Twin Peaks' (and pretty much anything else), you'll know he's a damn fine actor and always gives an intense performance. (2) It was directed by Wes Craven and (3) It's DC – and therefore may one day be dragged kicking and screaming into their floundering shared universe.
I was basically short-changed on all my three reasons. For a start – the great – Ray Wise was hardly in it (sorry if that's a minor 'spoiler' but there's little anyone can say that will spoil this film any more than it already is. Yes, the equally great horror maestro Wes Craven did direct it, but it was one of his early films that I think he probably never put on his C.V. Surely he must have only done this one for the paycheque! And finally, if this is an example of what happens in the 'Swamp Thing' then I hope he stays well clear of Batman and Superman! It's just awful (I think I already said that). Sorry, I can't think of any other way to describe it. No, I'm not a 'film snob' who only wants to watch 'high art' with deep and meaningful character development (hell, one of my favourite films is 'Flash Gordon' so I'm well up for a good 'good-bad' film any day!).
There are old horror/sci-fi films which, despite their age, still stand up today. 'Swamp Thing' will never be one of them. I even spoke to someone who had read some of the comics it was based on and she confirmed that the film was completely different (and not in a good way!). The 'climactic' end battle between hero and villain is truly laughable and like something out of a parody using men in rubber suits to slug it out (think that scene in 'Crank 2' that just sort of came out of nowhere!).
Just don't bother with this at all and pray that DC have upped their game to produce the output they do today. You may hate 'Dawn of Justice' and 'Suicide Squad' but, compared to 'Swamp Thing' they are truly cinematic greats!
Many people have slated DC's recent offerings such as 'Batman vs Superman' and 'Suicide Squad.' Personally, I quite enjoyed them, but if people had to sit through 'Swamp Thing' they'd really have something to gripe about! I watched it for three reasons: (1) It had Ray Wise in it. He's hardly a 'big name' in cinema, but, if you've seen him in 'Twin Peaks' (and pretty much anything else), you'll know he's a damn fine actor and always gives an intense performance. (2) It was directed by Wes Craven and (3) It's DC – and therefore may one day be dragged kicking and screaming into their floundering shared universe.
I was basically short-changed on all my three reasons. For a start – the great – Ray Wise was hardly in it (sorry if that's a minor 'spoiler' but there's little anyone can say that will spoil this film any more than it already is. Yes, the equally great horror maestro Wes Craven did direct it, but it was one of his early films that I think he probably never put on his C.V. Surely he must have only done this one for the paycheque! And finally, if this is an example of what happens in the 'Swamp Thing' then I hope he stays well clear of Batman and Superman! It's just awful (I think I already said that). Sorry, I can't think of any other way to describe it. No, I'm not a 'film snob' who only wants to watch 'high art' with deep and meaningful character development (hell, one of my favourite films is 'Flash Gordon' so I'm well up for a good 'good-bad' film any day!).
There are old horror/sci-fi films which, despite their age, still stand up today. 'Swamp Thing' will never be one of them. I even spoke to someone who had read some of the comics it was based on and she confirmed that the film was completely different (and not in a good way!). The 'climactic' end battle between hero and villain is truly laughable and like something out of a parody using men in rubber suits to slug it out (think that scene in 'Crank 2' that just sort of came out of nowhere!).
Just don't bother with this at all and pray that DC have upped their game to produce the output they do today. You may hate 'Dawn of Justice' and 'Suicide Squad' but, compared to 'Swamp Thing' they are truly cinematic greats!
Some extraneous notes on a long ago flick
davidemartin30 March 2003
At the time, Adrienne Barbeau was married to John Carpenter and doing small parts in his flicks. Well, he was heading off to the near-Arctic to film THE THING. That film had an all-male cast and thus left her with no possibility of some screentime. But along comes Carpenter's compatriot, Wes Craven, with an offer to shoot something in the bayous....
At the time SWAMP THING The Movie was being shot, SWAMP THING The Comic Book had been defunct for years. DC decided to resurrect the comic book to tie in to the new film. The book was interesting but the important part is that two and a half years into the book's run, scripting fell to a newcomer named Alan Moore. It's his run that revitalized SWAMP THING, comics in general, and gave the impetus to film the second SWAMP THING flick.
Oh, and the acidic waters of the swamp tended to rot the latex Swamp Thing costume Obviously Adrienne Barbeau is more water-resistant!
At the time SWAMP THING The Movie was being shot, SWAMP THING The Comic Book had been defunct for years. DC decided to resurrect the comic book to tie in to the new film. The book was interesting but the important part is that two and a half years into the book's run, scripting fell to a newcomer named Alan Moore. It's his run that revitalized SWAMP THING, comics in general, and gave the impetus to film the second SWAMP THING flick.
Oh, and the acidic waters of the swamp tended to rot the latex Swamp Thing costume Obviously Adrienne Barbeau is more water-resistant!
One of Craven's best
robertlauter2530 June 2013
Swamp thing is a comic book film with the audacity to flaunt it's low budget and depend on the character elements of the film, well executed action sequences, scenery and a vibrant score which luckily saves a lot of money and provides for and entertaining gem of a film. Louise Jordan is a wonderful villain, his work is on par with his later appearance as a 007 villain in octopussy. Adriene Barbeaux oozes sexuality, without sacrificing toughness which is rare. Something disappeared after the 1980's with regard to women in action thrillers. The toughness seems manufactured as opposed to genuine. The sexual attractiveness remains, but rather than asserting themselves through intelligence, many of the female heroes of todays films seem to display a snobbish sort of entitlement, almost as if a lawyer was waiting to swoop down and file a law suite, if the film's villains dare to detract from their toughness. There is none of that here, she seems smart, tough and sexy which is rare. As for the storyline, it is what it is, not a whole lot of surprises, but that's o.k. It's a comic book, not War and Peace. Swamp Thing is an overlooked and under-rated movie that deserves a look from fans of the genre, and yound people fascinated with comics especially.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
