Definitive proof that high end cinematography and special effects do NOT make a movie good. So completely overlooked by the mainstream movie industry in our area that only one theatre played it, and they only held it for a week. But I seized it eagerly when it became available on video, and it remains one of my all time favorites to date.
There has already been a good deal of commentary on the philosophy of culture clash, or the "evils of civilization" angle, but the one thing I could add is that this movie, in its off-beat, thoroughly endearing way, shows the evolution of mythology from reality. After having already laughed our way through the entire hysterical plot, the one final reward for our patient viewing is the finally seeing the disposition of "The Evil Thing" and the bushman-hero's triumphant return home, having achieved success in his curious quest. Okay, so it's too bizarre to have happened for real (or is it? Hmm... we do live in a fairly strange world...) but it shows how mythology might get started, and why it might live on.
All done with minimal budget and no special effects worth speaking of. Bravo. Ingenious!
There has already been a good deal of commentary on the philosophy of culture clash, or the "evils of civilization" angle, but the one thing I could add is that this movie, in its off-beat, thoroughly endearing way, shows the evolution of mythology from reality. After having already laughed our way through the entire hysterical plot, the one final reward for our patient viewing is the finally seeing the disposition of "The Evil Thing" and the bushman-hero's triumphant return home, having achieved success in his curious quest. Okay, so it's too bizarre to have happened for real (or is it? Hmm... we do live in a fairly strange world...) but it shows how mythology might get started, and why it might live on.
All done with minimal budget and no special effects worth speaking of. Bravo. Ingenious!