Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's the Fantastic Four

Greetings again from the darkness. Most people over age 30 remember the release of Tim Burton's Batman Returns, the sequel to his 1989 hit. The film's budget was $80 million, which seems remarkably low compared to the $250 million (or more) budget of today's superhero and comic book film adaptations. Putting all of that in perspective, and providing the best ever look at low budget filmmaking, comes this documentary from director Marty Langford. It's a look back at the ONE million dollar production of Marvel's iconic The Fantastic Four (the same year as Batman Returns), and how backroom negotiations provided a stake to the heart of those involved.

We are shown a quote from Stan Lee: "The movie was never supposed to be shown to anyone." It's a quote that we understand by the end of Langford's story, but still makes little sense. In 1992, producer Bernd Eichinger realized his rights to these famous Marvel characters were expiring at year end. He contacted the master of "B" movies, Roger Corman, who gave his production team one weekend to come up with a workable plan. What followed was the "movie magic" that we rarely glimpse. Even with that low budget, the script was written, the movie was cast and shooting began (with no rehearsal) … the ultimate rushed production.

The documentary connects the dots between Eichinger, Corman, Troma Entertainment, Marvel Studios, Neue Constantine Films, and Avi Arad; however, the real heart and soul comes courtesy of the interviews with the actors and production crew who were so involved. Looking back with nostalgia, pride and frustration, these folks clearly represent the "get it done" attitude that is so crucial in low budget filmmaking. Their disappointment in never having the film released is evident a quarter century later in their words and their faces.

In what could be described as a conspiracy … though more appropriately as yet another clash in the age old art vs. business battle … the cast and crew were manipulated into believing the film would be released. Many made publicity appearances at festivals, and a trailer was cut and shown in many theatres. Unfortunately (for all but a few), the production was merely a ploy to drive up the demand and cost for the rights … as Avi Arad envisioned a slick, high-budget version of the franchise (there have been two failed versions in the years since).

Some of those interviewed include director Oley Sassone, editor Glenn Garland, Joseph Culp (Doctor Doom, son of Robert Culp), Jay Underwood (Johnny Storm), Alex Hyde-White (Reed Richards), Rebecca Staab (Sue Storm), Michael Bailey Smith (Ben Grimm), and Carl Ciarfalo (The Thing). We mostly get the viewpoint of those who were so close to the film, though there is a brief clip of Roger Corman claiming he was under the impression that it was a legitimate film project … this despite his healthy cash out.

Since a copy of the film was "rescued" by the director and editor, it has become something of an urban legend among the comic book fan base … a cult film that never had its day on the big screen. The best comparison might be a bootleg version of a deep cut of a Springsteen song in the 1970's. Everything gets released today, but in those days, studios had a way to control what was seen (and what wasn't). This is a well made documentary on an unusual topic – and a reminder that the artists just want their work seen, while the business side just wants the money.

"Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's the Fantastic Four" is a fascinating documentary...much more interesting than I'd imagined. It's the story of an ultra-low budget superhero film produced by the King of Cheap Hollywood Films that was completed...and then shelved! Using lots of interviews, a few clips and a lot of enthusiasm, the picture makes the viewer want to find a copy of the film to see just how good a $1,000,000 film can be...a mere pittance nowadays for a movie...especially one with some complex special effects.

So...what happened? Why would they never show a film that was actually completed? And, how difficult was it to complete when it now appears as if the producer never intended to market the picture...or at least he knew he probably wouldn't be doing so. Well, see the documentary and find out for yourself...as well as how you might just be able to see the film despite its never having actually been officially released.

Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman's the Fantastic Four (2015)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

In 1993 a proposed movie of THE FANTASTIC FOUR was given to Roger Corman. The idea was to produce it on a low-budget but to then turn it out to theaters where it would become a big hit. The film was rushed into production, the cast dreamed of big futures and finally the movie wrapped. Then the movie became a legend because it was never released.

This highly entertaining documentary from Marty Langford gets a great number of people involved with the project to sit down for interviews and by the time it's over you'll not know whether you should laugh, cry or scream. Perhaps all three? I had known about this movie for quite sometime but the story behind it was rather hazy but all of that has been put to rest as you really couldn't have hoped for a better documentary on the subject.

The greatest thing about this is the fact that you've got the film's director as well as the majority of the cast members being interviewed. It was quite fascinating getting to hear from them because most documentaries are about movies that were made, movies that were expected to be huge but flopped at the box office but that's not the case here. Sure, a lot of movies start production but don't finish it but that's not the case here either. Getting to hear from the cast members talking about their hopes for their futures thanks to this film and then not have it released was quite interesting and certainly among the best stuff here.

If I was disappointed in anything it's the interview segments with Roger Corman. He's only given a few minutes worth of screen time and it's really too bad he wasn't pressed more for his version of what happened. I'm not sure if he just didn't want to discuss it or what but it's really too bad we didn't get his side of the story. We're pretty much given a great idea of what happened but it still would have been nice hearing from the man himself.

DOOMED will certainly appeal to Marvel fans, comic book movie fans and even those who don't normally enjoy those types of movies. This is a well-made documentary that does a great job telling its story.

As often happens, this "story behind the movie documentary" is almost as compelling as the film itself. "Doomed: The Untold Story Of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four" is a beguiling, superbly edited piece that will make you laugh and also maybe even make you cry - if you are a true lover of movies, that is. As well as being fully entertained, I learned a lot from this documentary about low budget Hollywood. "Doomed" chronicles one of the strangest production experiences American moviedom has ever generated. What you begin to realize from watching this documentary is that it really should not have been possible to make a movie that's this entertaining under these daunting – even harrowing – "Roger Corman Presents" conditions. Indeed, it's easy to see why Mr. Corman might not even want his mysterious "Fantastic Four" to ever be seen – it could well annihilate his reputation as the arch-purveyor of cinematic crap! Many of the better low budget films can deliver a few sparkling scenes – but there's always the inevitable point where it all falls apart and you just have to chuckle. It's clear that this does NOT happen in this original, "spartan" version of the "Fantastic Four" story. Clips from the film illustrate that, somehow, the story remains intriguing, the performances continue to be compelling, the special effects are exciting, and the delicious "comic book look" keeps you enthralled – all the way through! It is nothing short of a quiet little miracle. This energetic, fun-loving documentary features really absorbing interviews with key members of the cast and crew as it probes all the little corners of this intriguing semi-lost production. Now I know what I want. (A) To see the original "Roger Corman's Fantastic Four on the big screen, and (B) to buy the disc that has not only the movie itself – but also this beautifully done, dazzling documentary on it as well!

This is an excellent documentary. It shows the seedy underside of Hollywood film making. It's also an exclusive look on how not to do what should be a big budget movie on a no-movie budget. I'm pretty sure Corman pocketed a lot of the money the investors put up. The movie is horrible yes, but what's more horrible is that the people who made this movie really wanted to make a great movie and they tried. They were betrayed by the producers and money men. Marvel even tried to deny that this ever existed, but were foiled by the hundreds of bootlegs available.