The Bloody Brood

This movie is good. The beatnik scene, with its pseudo-intellectualism, is played to the hilt. The atmosphere brought to life via a knowledgeable use of black and white, with good sets and staging, helps a lot. Peter Falk ( and I'd never seen him play a role quit like THIS one before ) comes across as wonderful talent. Frankly, his portrayal of Nico has Oscar nominee written all over it. I've said it before and I say it here again ... Low budget doesn't mean no quality. This movie is good quality. Its a credit to the crime drama genre. And there is a sound psychology to both the plot line and the character development that I liked very much. Think: Peer pressure. The part I thought both funny and prophetic ... Heres the future Colombo with a detective on his tail. The name of the detective? McLeod.

This is pretty darn good crime-drama - Peter Falk is our beatnik psycho who deals drugs and likes to kill people. He throws neat-o parties complete with bongo drummers and dancing chicks. But his favorite thing murder - murdering in creative ways (you'll want to think twice before you eat a hamburger after seeing this film... I don't think ground glass is a good seasoning).

It's a pretty cool story, some neat cinematography in some scenes, swinging artsy fartsy beatniks, a bit of jazz music and some bongo music, a bit of a dark film overall... makes a pretty good prime time film I think or a late night flick!

7.5/10

I think this film is a cut above the general response on the board, and interesting beyond it being the cause of Peter Falk's first (and interesting) lead performance. Unlike the more playful "Bucket Of Blood" this movie is down on the beatnik scene (in the way it's presented here, which may well have never existed) and tacitly blames it for the cruel mayhem at the center of the plot.

The acting is fairly good overall. The plot contrivances bring the movie to a fast conclusion, but this is probably all for the best. Well worth seeking out by those who enjoy low budget films trying to work a little thoughtfulness into the mix.

Nico (Peter Falk) is a nefarious smack dealer posing as the leader of a merry band of beatniks. He's also a psychopath who enjoys watching people die. One of Nico's victims has a brother named Cliff (Jack Betts) who becomes vengeful and delves into the dank underbelly of beatnik culture, looking for clues. He soon discovers that he's the only one, except for one woman (Barbara Lord), with a functioning conscience or brain.

THE BLOODY BROOD is packed with philosophical musings (aka: claptrap) about life, death, work, etc. There are classic quotes like: "Did he die, or was he murdered by life?" Wow! In addition, there are lots of wacky dance moves, important-looking goatees, bongo drums, and a sea of turtleneck sweaters!

Falk is sublime in his dastardly role, making us stare wide-eyed as he commands the stage!

So, pull up a throw-pillow, put on some sandals and Ray-Bans, and tune in to the scene...

THE BLOODY BROOD is far more competent than you might expect from a low-budget shocker shot in sixteen days. The story is essentially an amateur police procedural, with the family member of a murder victim trying to sniff out who killed his brother for no discernible reason. His search takes him to the beatnik scene, a drug-laden, sex-crazed world of psuedo-philosophizing and amoral nihilism.

But chances are you're only watching the movie to see Peter Falk play a thrill-killer beatnik, am I right? That was my reason too.

Falk is amazing within the confines of this part, ever the cold-blooded hipster as he feeds his victim a burger laced with ground glass. He never overplays the beatnik angle like the other actors do. Falk dances on the edge of camp without quite going over it, so he actually carries some sense of menace. While the movie is interesting enough without him and never overstays its welcome at a brisk 68 minutes, Falk is what elevates the material and what will stick with you when it's all over.