Something
strange is going on in the remote island community of Balfe. When the
ecological department ‘Doomwatch’ sends Dr Del Shaw (Ian Bannen) to the island,
to gather evidence following a recent oil tanker spill, he receives a frosty
reception – the islanders are more insular and inbred than expected and even
the local police make it clear he isn’t welcome. When Shaw finds the body of a
young girl buried in the woods, and is viciously attacked by a deformed man
while investigating the villager’s suspicious behaviour, he discovers that
illegal chemicals dumped in the waters around the island have infected the fish
the islanders are eating, causing hideous mutations in many of the population
which lead to random violent outbursts and eventual madness. Shaw enlists the
help of schoolteacher Victoria Brown (Judy Geeson) to try and uncover the
truth, not realising that the islanders will go to terrifying lengths to
protect their community and make sure that news of their condition doesn’t make
it back to the mainland.
Released in 1972, Doomwatch was a big
screen version of the popular BBC TV series created by Gerry Davis and Kit
Pedlar, the brainchildren behind Dr. Who’s iconic Cybermen. Despite its horror
movie trappings (there’s a decidedly ‘Wicker Man’ quality to this island, even
though The Wicker Man wouldn’t be released until almost two years later) it’s
really a cautionary thriller that is probably more relevant now than it has
ever been, plugging into our primal neuroses about chemically tainted or suspiciously
bio-engineered foods, chem trails, pollutants and other government / big
business conspiracies.
At the time of its release, fans of the TV
series were upset by the sidelining of their favourite characters in favour of
Ian Bannen and Judy Geeson, neither of whom had featured in the small screen
incarnation. Although the stars of the television show did appear, their
presence in the story was significantly reduced but that’s probably just as
well because the TV cast seem a pretty dull bunch whereas Bannen makes for a
convincing and sympathetic leading man, and his chemistry with Geeson is
excellent. The island location is terrific as well (the exteriors were actually
shot in Cornwall) and director Peter Sasdy, a horror stalwart at the height of
his powers (he had recently completed Hammer’s ‘Hands of the Ripper’ and his
next project would be Nigel Kneale’s legendary ‘The Stone Tape’) makes a fine
job of ramping up the atmosphere.
But it’s the screenplay, which is
peculiarly credited to the much-underrated English screenwriter Clive Exton as
the ‘final screenplay’, suggesting that too many cooks might have already
spoiled the broth before Exton even arrived on the scene, which is the problem.
It doesn’t seem to know what kind of movie it wants to be, and the ending –
despite a commendable injection of pathos during a town meeting, when Shaw
desperately tries to convince the islanders to accept outside help – doesn’t
carry the punch this story deserved. It also reduces Geeson’s character to a
cowering damsel-in-distress, which is a disservice.
Still, it’s heart-warming to see
‘Doomwatch’ finally get a bluray release. The print is in good condition, apart
from some strange ghosting during the opening night time scene that’s so brief
it seems unfair to mention, but the only extra is a trailer which is a little
bit of a shame considering the film’s quirky importance in the annals of 70s
horror / sci-fi cinema. But, despite the lack of extras, this is well worth
adding to your collection. Even with its flaws, Doomwatch is a highly watchable
and occasionally fascinating movie.
DOOMWATCH / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR: PETER SASDY / SCREENPLAY: CLIVE EXTON / STARRING: IAN BANNEN, JUDY GEESON, JOHN PAUL, SIMON OATES, JEAN TREND / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
