Fiend Without a Face

Reviewer: Craig Phillips
Rating (out of 5): ***½

Criterion's edition of Fiend Without a Face is a wonderful transfer of an oft-neglected little creeper. Whereas the previous DVD edition looked no better than what you would have seen on late night television twenty years ago, the new anamorphic edition was put through the usual Criterion care and feeding to look as sharp as it likely ever has. There is also some truly outstanding audio commentary with producer Richard Gordon and expert horror film writer Tom Weaver that isn't just about the film itself but also about producing films in the 1950s. It will make you want to watch the whole thing all over again.

The story: People in a small town seem to be losing their minds - literally! Could radiation, and telepathy, be involved? It isn't as silly as it sounds (okay, it's a little silly). Like the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this film came at the height of Cold War paranoia and could be interpreted in several ways - some of them silly. But cinematically it has its champions, too; many critics, and film buffs, claim that Fiend Without a Face was a direct influence on such low-budget horror classics as Night of the Living Dead and some of John Carpenter's films. Given the time the film was made, it's particularly surprising how relatively gory the film is in spots - this too, was surely an influence on Romero and others. Makes one wonder if there was a disclaimer provided with the film upon original release - "Warning! This film contains crawling brains being splattered!" But fear not (or perhaps, fear yes!) for this classic cult film, ignoring its clunky science, has surprisingly good effects and is full of scares - and, okay, a few unintentional chuckles, too. Either way, it's the perfect movie for a Halloween treat.