Brides of Blood

A trio of a doctor, his wife and a friend visits Blood Island for research but finds more than they bargained for.

Welcomed but cautioned by the locals, Dr. Phil senses something different in the air. An eerie feeling from the women as they draw lots for an unknown reason. Also, in the island is a plantation owner in where the pathway to his house is filled with banana trees with unusually mutated branches.

The first half of the movie really was enthralling, mysterious and interesting to say at least. When the second half rolls and all the cards are revealed, we find every scene as expected it to be. Gore and screams.

As a Filipino, I have never had the chance to watch Mario Montenegro's movies and here he is quite convincing as an American that have lived as a local.

This is the best of the lot of Blood Island movies.

Wow, does this flick make for one wild and woolly experience! "Brides of Blood" (1968), the first adventure in the Blood Island trilogy, must be deemed, along with 1959's "Terror Is A Man," one of the crown jewels of Filipino horror cinema. In it, 1950s star John Ashley plays Jim Farrell, a Peace Corps worker who comes to the eponymous Blood Island in the Philippines. He is accompanied by naturalist Dr. Henderson, who wants to study the effects of recent nearby nuke tests on the island's flora and fauna, as well as by Henderson's randy, bubble-bosomed wife, played by Beverly Hills (love that name!). This film is some kind of ultimate drive-in experience, and throws in much to ensure a memorable time. Thus, there are some scary, groping, mutated trees (still not as scary as the ones in "The Wizard Of Oz," though), sacrificed topless maidens, gaggles of scampering little people (that IS the PC expression at the moment, right?), battles with torches, bolos and flare guns, AND a roaring, woman-hungry monster that beggars my poor powers of description. Please don't get me wrong; this is certainly not anybody's idea of a quality film (even my beloved "Psychotronic Encyclopedia" calls it "terrible"). It is somewhat shoddily put together, and features God-awful dubbing and egregious day-for-night photography. Still, it does offer truly exotic Filipino atmosphere, interesting characters, decent-enough acting, and eerie native chants. Plus, the film culminates with a wild, celebratory native mating dance that must be seen to be believed; a most satisfactory windup. The bottom line is that I can't imagine any fan of sci-fi, horror or action films not enjoying this pulpy funhouse of a movie on some level. Recommended.

I first watched this film in a drive-in theatre, when I was just out of high school. I must say it scared the begeebers out of me. And, that was doing something! I was already a dyed in the wool fan of Horror, and Sci-Fi movies. Even though it was filmed with a lot of night scenes, and there-fore hard at times to make out what you were seeing on a drive-in screen, and the special effects were not what they can do by todays standards, I still found it a very disturbing, and frightening film. If anyone else has seen it, please let me know what you thought at the time of it's release.

This film is a fun taste of late 60s low budget horror with a touch of 50s radiation phobia thrown in for good measure.

The acting by at least two of the leads were good, the rest were passable. The monster makeup was low budget for sure, but it has a certain "wow that's soooo weird" charm to it. Those bright glowing red toy marble like eyes are especially memorable. Many films with modern CGI f/x have had a much lesser effect on me.

The story is pretty predictable, but that doesn't matter much it makes up for it in weirdness, atmosphere and a bit of tropical eroticism. This movie is perfect for munching popcorn and pretending you're back in time at your favorite Drive-in. Hopefully you've got a date nearby to do a pretend yawn, arm-stretch, and cuddle with during the show. Love the movie trailers included on the DVD, especially the promo for the genuine *imitation* engagement and wedding rings given out to the movie goers of the time! 'Brides of Blood' get it. Wow, real plastic ! My guess is they were crackerjack box rejects. A trick probably even William Castle would have considered a cheap gimmick. (wink) If you enjoy B horror films this will not disappoint. Be sure to check out the trailers if you get your hands on the DVD.

Brides of Blood is a cheap and cheerful production but also one with a lot of problems. The plot synopsis actually makes it sound like you might be in for something rather enjoyable; but while the film definitely does have it's moments, they are few and far between and usually in the middle of a load of torrid and boring scenes. The film focuses on a primitive island where years earlier there were experiments with radioactive bombs. We follow a team who goes to the island in order to research the after-effects of the bomb as well as help the locals to build a village. However, there have been some unexpected side effects. The main problem with the film is that it really lacks a point; there's plenty of horror shown and it's actually quite inventive but it's not got any perspective. The special effects look extremely cheap and are unlikely to impress anyone; but they're fun to watch and directors Gerardo de Leon and Eddie Romero (no relation to George) have not let the budget hold them back as the effects are plentiful. Ironically though, it's the main monster that looks the most awful of all - it's unlikely to frighten anyone that is for sure! As mentioned, the plotting is all over the place and as such the film can be a bit boring at times, which is a shame and to be honest; I never really cared how it would all end. Overall, this does have some good moments; but it's not a good film and I wouldn't recommend anyone goes out their way to check it out!