Cast
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Tommy Kirk
as Mike
Johnny Crawford
as Horsey
Beau Bridges
as Fred
Joy Harmon
as Merrie
Robert Random
as Rick
Gail Gilmore
as Elsa
Tisha Sterling
as Jean
Tim Rooney
as Pete
Kevin O'Neal
as Harry
Charla Doherty
as Nancy
Toni Basil
as Red
Ron Howard
as Genius
Joe Turkel
as Sheriff
Rance Howard
as Deputy
Crew
Director
- Bert I. Gordon
Producer
- Bert I. Gordon
Reviews
Wuchak
_**Cool score, gorgeous women and those wild 60s!**_
In some ways "Village of the Giants" (1965) is a godawful flick about a group of "kids" (more like mid-20s) who stumble upon a potion that turns them into giants. Godawful or not, there's just something mesmerizing about this flick! It's ridiculous and the "special effects" are laughable, yet it's full of energy and is thoroughly entertaining in a swingin' 60s kind of way; and entertainment's the name of the game.
Highlights include: the weird bass-driven 60's score titled "The Last Race" by Jack Nitzsche (borrowed by Tarantino for "Death Proof"); the accompanying sensual dancing of the "teens" (they really don't know what else to do after becoming giants, so they just dance, lol); the cast includes a young Ron Howard, Beau Bridges, Robert Random and Tommy Kirk, as well as not one, not two, but three gorgeous 60's females -- Joy Harmon, Tisha Sterling and, best of all, a young redheaded Toni Basil (who went on to become a one-hit wonder with "Hey Mickey"). Watch out for Basil in the pool party scene. She also has an extended dance sequence late in the film in black leotards.
So, yeah, "Village of the Giants" is a real turkey, but it's a golden turkey. " For comparison, it's superior to the contemporaneous "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" (which was released 2.5 months earlier) in that it is (1) in color, (2) doesn't attempt to be serious melodrama in the manner of "A Streetcar Named Desire" and (3) lacks a sneering one-dimensional psychopathic vixen as antagonist. In other words, "Village" treads similar terrain to "Faster" but without the negative elements.
The film runs 1 hour, 21 minutes, and was shot in Burbank and Hollywood, Ca.
GRADE: B (Actually a "C" but "A" for entertainment value; so overall "B" )
Jun 10, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Village of the Giants explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Bert I. Gordon brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1965, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Village of the Giants took approximately 22 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 81 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 123 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1965, when this film was released:
- The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
- The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Village of the Giants shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, which focuses more on action than character development, Village of the Giants offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Rampage and Varan explore similar territory, Village of the Giants stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 20, 1965
- Runtime: 1h 21m
