Search - The Giant Gila Monster/The Killer Shrews - In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version, Beautifully Restored and Enhanced! on DVD


The Giant Gila Monster/The Killer Shrews - In COLOR! Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version, Beautifully Restored and Enhanced!
The Giant Gila Monster/The Killer Shrews - In COLOR Also Includes the Original Black-and-White Version Beautifully Restored and Enhanced
Actors: James Best, Ann Craigis, Don Sullivan
Director: Ray Kellogg
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
NR     2008     2hr 23min

Giant Gila Monster: A classic from the golden drive-in era, Giant Gila Monster showcases hammy dialogue, snappy songs and, of course, special effects as the titular giant lizard terrorizes a small Texas town. Enterprising ...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actors: James Best, Ann Craigis, Don Sullivan
Director: Ray Kellogg
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sub-Genres: Horror, Fantasy
Studio: Legend Films
Format: DVD - Black and White,Color,Full Screen
DVD Release Date: 07/27/2008
Original Release Date: 01/01/1959
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1959
Release Year: 2008
Run Time: 2hr 23min
Screens: Black and White,Color,Full Screen
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaDVD Credits: 2
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 2
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

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Movie Reviews

ANOTHER LEGEND DISASTER!!!!!
larryj1 | AZ, USA | 07/09/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)

"On the back of the case for these Legend Films DVD's, it states "The Killer Shrews has been beautifully restored". If so, why didn't they use that print on the DVD? What is on the disc is the worst example of a "restored" film I have ever seen. There are multiple bad splices, a section of film with extreme damage, and while the actual picture quality is sharper there is just too much minor damage(lines, etc.) If they are going to "restore" a film, they should at least start with a decent print. I've seen a print of this on a budget 50-movie pack that didn't have the splices and damage that this had(although the picture wasn't as sharp). This is in full screen and I understand it was filmed that way. The print for The Giant Gila Monster is better. It looks like it has been cleaned up but I wouldn't call it a restoration. The picture quality is sharper and there are no bad splices. This is a full screen version of an originally widescreen film. I understand Image has a widescreen version. Legend continues its tradition of releasing good films in multilated form, showing a complete lack of caring for the film and for the consumer. I was hoping for a good release of these B/W films, but my hopes were again dashed by Legend. If they could just manage to put out a decent release of the B/W films, I could put up with their despicable colorization of them(of which I never have and never will watch a colorized film). The films themselves, I have no problems with.




"
They Are What They Are
Teresa Anson | Michigan, USA | 11/25/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Giant Gila Monster:

From the very title itself, Giant Gila Monster lays down a very clear and quite simple expectation in my mind. From that point forward, there's nothing that I want more than to see a Giant Gila Monster, and if you're anything like me, Giant Gila Monster certainly doesn't disappoint in that regard.

Giant Gila Monster is a throwback to the drive-in theater era, a time when jocks and greasers alike would sit side by side in their now-priceless cars. In what amounts to a uniquely American take on the monster movie genre (ala Godzilla), Giant Gila Monster features the titular lizard terrorizing a small town in Texas, and only our heroes can save everyone from certain doom and destruction... Otherwise, apple pie, baseball and the United States itself risks doom.

This movie is still around today because it, like Plan 9 from Outer Space, is unintentionally, irredeemably horrible. (That's really a dubious honor: being immortalized for "campiness") You'll cower in horror as our titular monster crawls slowly over a miniaturized world to the ambient sounds of eerie space music. Oh no! The Gila Monster knocked down the toy train's bridge! Will the ant-conductor be able to stop in time to save the lives of his ant-passengers? Guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out.

This release of Giant Gila Monster from Legend Films is a special treat in that it contains both the black and white and the colorized versions of the movie--a two for one package. It's probably best this way, as no-one has to lose in the often violent debate between the supporters of colorized films and the supporters of black and white.

Killer Shrews:

For the first time someone has undertaken the Herculean task of reviving The Killer Shews, a B-movie staple for decades. Released for drive-in theaters in the `50s and subsequently forgotten until Mystery Science Theater 3000 zombified it in season 4, Legend Films (probably influenced by partner and star Mike Nelson) has decided to re-master The Killer Shrews in full, glorious color. After all, how else are we supposed to introduce the wonderful monster movie genre to our color-spoiled children?

In any event, this reproduction is sure to add some legs to the unnaturally long life of The Killer Shrews, which is certainly an important thing. As CGI becomes the de facto standard for special effects, the movie industry is in danger of forgetting its humble roots in the pre-computer age. How are we supposed to determine that Star Wars has great effects if we don't have things like The Killer Shrews to judge it against? Can good exist in the absence of bad?

Philosophy aside, just grab a big bowl of popcorn and enjoy one of the greatest B-movies of all time.

For having both films in the same cheap package, this DVD is a real steal."