Shock Waves (1977) - Top 5 Moments and Scenes
During the early afternoon on Saturday, I finally sat down with my daughter, who had been begging me to watch Shock Waves, all year. We were supposed to watch it in the summer, an annual activity that I consider quite special as it has become a father/daughter ritual you could say the last few years. We didn't get to watch this last year for whatever reason, but when I missed this summer, I still promised her we would get to it. Gosh, I must admit, with its very present sun and rich beaming water, I regret not following our ritual because, although it "feels" just perfect for a hot early October here in southeastern United States, this is such a summer 70s horror flick. I can see myself parked at the drive-in, popcorn bucket in my lap, on a park bench or behind the steering wheel in a convertible with the top down, a coke in one of those large paper cups rested next to me while watching Shock Waves on the big screen in Prime Time summer 1977. That isn't a luxury I had because I wasn't born until late 1977 in the summer but I can still imagine the experience just the same. ***
[1] The Nazi Zombies are revealed for the first time, leaving behind the ship that was left to remain just distanced from an island (actually shot at Florida, with the abandoned resort only unoccupied for two years but seemingly a first-class place to vacation before those behind its running left it behind), the director of the film reminding us of its rusted, gutted, derelict skeletal remains in a long shot from time to time. The underwater work is perfect as the soldiers in their suits and boots (and goggles) are shown to be rotted corpses, blond and marching, trotting towards the island.
[2] The "yellow sun/sky" was this surreal, seemingly fantastical, and nonetheless eerie early scene right before the night would lead tourists to their eventual doom, riding on a vacation ship run by grumpy John Carradine, who is always in a foul mood and not particularly accommodating to his guests. The way this scene is shot, the sky takes on a yellow hue that is just atmospherically off. Something about this feels otherworldly, as if they are on another planet.
[3] Throughout the island, the zombies often pop up out of the water, like spouts that remind us they could be anywhere and are everywhere. No matter where the cast tries to flee or evade, the Nazi zombies emerge from the drink with no other intention but to strangle and drown. But an early image of four zombies rising up sets up just how creepy they are. This is not what you want to see if you are going for a swim!
[4] When Carradine goes missing, the tourists and remaining crew members are left wondering what happened. As they must boat to the island in a paddle boat, a glass bottom reveals the drowned body of Carradine, with eyes wide open as if he was scared to death. It is a brief but potent image, his body gliding underneath the boat with eyes locked open in fright. The director goes for this again when another crew member is strangled by rope and while it is tragic, the first time was the best.
[5] Brooke Adams (26 at the time) in a bikini, after a nice swim, laid out on the boat, on a towel. Just because it is an image that I enjoy imprinted on my mind.
[1] The Nazi Zombies are revealed for the first time, leaving behind the ship that was left to remain just distanced from an island (actually shot at Florida, with the abandoned resort only unoccupied for two years but seemingly a first-class place to vacation before those behind its running left it behind), the director of the film reminding us of its rusted, gutted, derelict skeletal remains in a long shot from time to time. The underwater work is perfect as the soldiers in their suits and boots (and goggles) are shown to be rotted corpses, blond and marching, trotting towards the island.
[2] The "yellow sun/sky" was this surreal, seemingly fantastical, and nonetheless eerie early scene right before the night would lead tourists to their eventual doom, riding on a vacation ship run by grumpy John Carradine, who is always in a foul mood and not particularly accommodating to his guests. The way this scene is shot, the sky takes on a yellow hue that is just atmospherically off. Something about this feels otherworldly, as if they are on another planet.
[3] Throughout the island, the zombies often pop up out of the water, like spouts that remind us they could be anywhere and are everywhere. No matter where the cast tries to flee or evade, the Nazi zombies emerge from the drink with no other intention but to strangle and drown. But an early image of four zombies rising up sets up just how creepy they are. This is not what you want to see if you are going for a swim!
[4] When Carradine goes missing, the tourists and remaining crew members are left wondering what happened. As they must boat to the island in a paddle boat, a glass bottom reveals the drowned body of Carradine, with eyes wide open as if he was scared to death. It is a brief but potent image, his body gliding underneath the boat with eyes locked open in fright. The director goes for this again when another crew member is strangled by rope and while it is tragic, the first time was the best.
[5] Brooke Adams (26 at the time) in a bikini, after a nice swim, laid out on the boat, on a towel. Just because it is an image that I enjoy imprinted on my mind.
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