Cast
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Paul Hampton
as Roger St. Luc
Joe Silver
as Rollo Linsky
Lynn Lowry
as Nurse Forsythe
Allan Kolman
as Nicholas Tudor
Susan Petrie
as Janine Tudor
Barbara Steele
as Betts
Ronald Mlodzik
as Merrick
Barry Baldaro
as Detective Heller
Camil Ducharme
as Mr. Guilbault
Hanna Poznanska
as Mrs. Guilbault
Wally Martin
as Doorman
Vlasta Vrana
as Kresimer Sviben
Silvie Debois
as Benda Sviben
Charles Perley
as Delivery Boy
Al Rochman
as Parkins
Crew
Director
- David Cronenberg
Writer
- David Cronenberg
Producer
- Ivan Reitman
Reviews
John Chard
Disease is the love of two creatures for one and other.
Shivers is written and directed by David Cronenberg. It stars Fred Doederlin, Paul Hampton, Lynn Lowry and Barbara Steele. Music is by Ivan Reitman and cinematography by Robert Saad.
Montreal's Starliner Island Complex suddenly becomes home to parasitic organisms that upon entering a human host, turns them into flesh-eating sexual predators.
Cronenberg's first commercial feature film has become a little too over analysed over the years due to the Canadian auteur's subsequent career. Meanings and motives within Shivers have been searched and scrutinised so as to give it more resonance. It really isn't worthy of that sort of cranial thinking, but what Shivers is is a fun low-budget horror film, a movie that has dashes of Cronenberg magic that shows he started as he meant to go on.
With its chaotic observation of mundane everyday people suddenly turned into sexually charged beings now devoid of inhibitions, it's not hard to see why it caused some controversy upon release. Yet that sort of controversy is gold publicity really, and ultimately when you look at it now, it's played out as being more tongue in cheek than any design to shock the audience out of their seats. That's not to say there isn't horror here of course, one only has to see the brilliant opening to know this, but there is an intentional airiness about the piece, and yes! This is even as the director pushes buttons by pushing taboo subjects into our visual event.
The acting is generally poor, the sound mix is off and some of the dialogue is awfully cheesy, but Shivers still comes out in considerable credit. It's an important movie in the pantheon of horror because of its director, while it's enjoyable to tick off some of the traits that would dominate his work from this point on. It also makes you evaluate the state of horror as a genre today, with the ream of sequels, remakes and unsurprising slashers dominating the box offices, now more than ever we could do with a young up and coming Cronenberg type to announce himself to our cinematic world. We can but hope. 7.5/10
Nov 17, 2013
JPV852
Fun horror movie that reminded me a bit of Dawn of the Dead (one location, people being "infected" and going after one another (hungry for flesh so to speak) and the few survivors fighting for their lives. Not great per se but still entertaining and a solid debut for David Cronenberg (well, feature length anyway). **3.75/5**
Sep 25, 2020
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Science Fiction film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Shivers presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director David Cronenberg 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 1975, 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 Shivers took approximately 3 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $0.2 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 88 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 109 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The film contains approximately 1832 individual shots.
- The screenplay went through 13 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1975, when this film was released:
- Environmental awareness was growing as a social concern.
- Disco music dominated popular culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Shivers shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Elder Island, which focuses more on action than character development, Shivers offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Ghosts of Mars and Severed explore similar territory, Shivers stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: May 16, 1975
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Budget: $179,000
- Revenue: $1,000,000
Where to Watch
