{"id":9059,"date":"2009-08-12T13:50:20","date_gmt":"2009-08-12T20:50:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=9059"},"modified":"2020-12-20T23:24:01","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T06:24:01","slug":"mutations-the-1974","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=9059","title":{"rendered":"Mutations, The (1974)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;He&#8217;ll soon be neither human nor plant, but with the characteristics and advantages of both: a plant that can move and think; a man who can set down roots.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Poster-186x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"186\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-58749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Poster-186x300.png 186w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Poster-636x1024.png 636w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Poster-79x128.png 79w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Poster-168x270.png 168w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Poster.png 681w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 186px) 100vw, 186px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA mad scientist (Donald Pleasence) obsessed with merging plant and human life forms has his facially deformed assistant (Tom Baker) kidnap university students (Olga Anthony and Scott Anthony) so he can perform genetic experiments on them; meanwhile, their friends (Julie Ege, Brad Harris, and Jill Haworth) try to find out why they&#8217;ve disappeared.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carnivals and Circuses<\/li>\n<li>Donald Pleasence Films<\/li>\n<li>Horror<\/li>\n<li>Killer Plants<\/li>\n<li>Mad Doctors and Scientists<\/li>\n<li>Science Fiction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nFamed cinematographer Jack Cardiff directed over a dozen feature-length films during his illustrious career; this campy cult horror film was the last of them. It&#8217;s inspired in part by Tod Browning&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1845\"><em>Freaks<\/em> (1932)<\/a>, given its cast of physically &#8220;abnormal&#8221; performers who are upset that their nominal leader (Baker) doesn&#8217;t consider himself &#8220;one of them&#8221; &#8212; in fact, the infamous &#8220;We accept you, one of us!&#8221; dinner party sequence from <em>Freaks<\/em> is directly replicated here. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2-1024x562.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"351\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58753\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2-1024x562.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2-768x421.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2-1536x842.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2-492x270.png 492w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freaks2.png 1665w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the bulk of the movie is taken up with a rather nonsensical mad scientist plot, in which Pleasence &#8212; with completely noble goals, of course: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2-1024x570.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"356\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2-1024x570.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2-1536x855.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2-485x270.png 485w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pleasence2.png 1647w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; turns his experimental &#8220;subjects&#8221; (conveniently, two of them are his own students) into laughably silly-looking plant-monsters. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak-1024x558.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"349\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58755\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak-1024x558.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak-1536x837.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak-495x270.png 495w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Freak.png 1657w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>At least the picture <em>looks<\/em> good, with vibrantly colorful set designs &#8212; and the mid-film &#8220;freak show&#8221; is worth a look. <\/p>\n<p>I like how these actors &#8212; including a real-life &#8220;Alligator Lady&#8221;, &#8220;Bearded Lady&#8221;, &#8220;Frog Boy&#8221;, and &#8220;Human Pincushion&#8221;, as well as a man known as &#8220;Popeye&#8221; who can bug his eyes out at will: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman-1024x552.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"345\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58759\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman-1024x552.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman-128x69.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman-768x414.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman-1536x829.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman-500x270.png 500w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Alligator-Woman.png 1685w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded-1024x570.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"356\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58761\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded-1024x570.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded-1536x855.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded-485x270.png 485w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Bearded.png 1643w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy-1024x563.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"352\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy-1024x563.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy-768x423.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy-1536x845.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy-491x270.png 491w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Frog-Boy.png 1663w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2-1024x567.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"354\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2-1024x567.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2-768x425.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2-1536x850.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2-488x270.png 488w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Pin-Cushion2.png 1675w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye-1024x558.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"349\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye-1024x558.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye-128x70.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye-1536x837.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye-495x270.png 495w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Popeye.png 1675w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; are treated with relative dignity, and each allowed to carefully explain their syndrome to the audience if they wish. These sympathetic characters should have been the central focus of the film. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The undeniably fascinating carnival &#8220;freak show&#8221;<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival-1024x565.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"353\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58762\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival-1024x565.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival-768x423.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival-1536x847.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival-490x270.png 490w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Carnival.png 1663w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Colorful set designs<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2-1024x569.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"356\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58756\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2-1024x569.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2-768x427.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2-1536x853.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2-486x270.png 486w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/08\/Mutations-Sets2.png 1665w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo. Listed as a Cult Movie in the back of Peary&#8217;s book.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0070423\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1974\/09\/26\/archives\/the-mutations-british-scifi-arrives.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eyeforfilm.co.uk\/reviews.php?id=7842\">Eye For Film Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.britishhorrorfilms.co.uk\/mutations.shtml\">British Horror Films Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/horror\/mutations-1974.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/the-mutations\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;He&#8217;ll soon be neither human nor plant, but with the characteristics and advantages of both: a plant that can move and think; a man who can set down roots.&#8221; Synopsis: A mad scientist (Donald Pleasence) obsessed with merging plant and human life forms has his facially deformed assistant (Tom Baker) kidnap university students (Olga Anthony and Scott Anthony) so he can perform genetic experiments on them; meanwhile, their friends (Julie Ege, Brad Harris, and Jill Haworth) try to find out&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=9059\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9059"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9059\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58765,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9059\/revisions\/58765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}