42 years ago today 'The Beast Within' landed in North American theaters via United Artists. Based on the novel by Edward Levy, the film managed to gross around $8M on a $5M budget.
Of course uppity film critics bashed the film to hell and back calling the flick sleazy trash for the final few minutes of gore scenes along with the taboo situation, acting and storyline but still praising the flick's for the special effects 🤷♂️ butt over the years The Beast Within has gained somewhat of a cult following
I personally loved the movie, it's a slowww burn so it's definitely not for everyone. I remember going to Greenville Mississippi to see the film at the local picture show with my older brother. The flick was filmed in Mississippi and the story takes place not to terrible far from my hometown so it was kinda of a big deal. Not many Hollywood movies were made here in the state back in those days, not that much has changed...
I was only 10 in 82 so I know most folks in 2024 will consider that wayyy to young but kids were built different in those days plus I grew in a small town in MS not really much to do so it was either movie theater or the local game room.
The film is loaded with great character actors like: Ronny Cox, Bibi Besch, Paul Clemens, L. Q. Jones, Don Gordon, R. G. Armstrong, Logan Ramsey, Katherine Moffat, Luke Askew, Ron Soble, Meshach Taylor and the awesome John Dennis Johnston
Story: Driving near a small Mississippi town in 1964, newlyweds Eli (Ronny Cox) and Caroline (Bibi Besch) experience car trouble. When Eli goes off to look for help, Caroline gets raped and is made pregnant by a horrible creature.
Years later the child, now teenager Michael (Paul Clemens), finds himself undergoing an inexplicable physical change that compels him to return to that area in Mississippi.
Soon dead bodies start piling up while his desperate parents struggle to understand what's happening...
Written by horror legend writer/director Tom Holland (Psycho II, Fright Night, Child's Play, Thinner, The Langoliers)
Directed by: Philippe Mora (The Howling 2&3, Communion)
Like I said The Beast Within is not for everyone. The younger crowd will be put off by the pace of story and may get offended by some of the storylines taboo elements. But I say check it out give the movie a chance, you just might be a weirdo like me and like the picture. Just saying 😂 anyways 8 out of 10 Severed Thumbs for me 👍
Btw I have never read the novel but most I've talked to who's read the book says it's freaking awesome but pretty different from the fim.
The reason the film is so different from the novel is mainly due to the fact novelist Edward Levy had not completed the book by the time filming had commence. Producer Harvey Bernhard bought the film rights to the novel because he loved the title and premise of the upcoming book forcing Tom Holland to write the screenplay pretty much from scratch... 🫢
Has any of y'all read the book or seen the movie? Thought's?
Trailer: https://youtu.be/CGa8SFMOn2w?si=klvs6UYQ7UUltdzd
