IMDb RATING
4.1/10
5.7K
YOUR RATING
On an isolated island, a small group of people are terrorized by giant voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane.On an isolated island, a small group of people are terrorized by giant voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane.On an isolated island, a small group of people are terrorized by giant voracious shrews in the midst of a hurricane.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaClose-ups of the giant shrews were filmed using hand puppets. The wider shots used dogs made up as the shrews.
- GoofsThe narration of the prologue ends with "First in Alaska, and then moving steadily southward, there were reports of a new species, the giant killer shrew." In the film itself, the giants shrews were created, and limited to, an isolated island, presumably off the coast of Texas.
- Quotes
[while hiding under oil drums, the refugees are attacked by gigantic shrews]
Thorne Sherman: Don't let their head get under! They'll flip us over!
- Alternate versionsA colorized version was released in 2007 as part of a double feature with The Giant Gila Monster (1959).
- ConnectionsEdited into Pale Moonlight Theater: The Killer Shrews (2014)
Featured review
Better Than Expected
Okay, I'll risk it— for a 50's drive-in flick, the movie's rather competently made, even on a severe budget. On the whole, it's well-acted, colorfully photographed, and briskly directed. On the other hand, the waggy-tail shrews are too doggy-like to frighten, unless you're a kitty cat. Fortunately, they're mostly photographed in quick shrouded fashion. Also, the "tank' makes for a funny and cleverly motivated appearance. At the same time, the plot itself is formula familiar— a scientific experiment gone wrong, along with a hero, a shapely blonde, and a bad guy, all trapped on an island with killer monsters at the door. To me, the formula works, even if about as familiar as my old shoes.
A couple of nice touches. The primitive "tank" may look silly, especially with its underpowered three person motor, but is an imaginative one-of-a-kind. Just don't look for it at a Nascar speedway. Note too, how the professor's boring exposition on the nature of shrews is enlivened by Ann's (Goude) fearful background behavior. Thus a dull pill gets some fizz.
As a 50's drive-in vet, I'm a bit puzzled how so many folks find the 69-minutes a camp classic. Sure, it's got amusingly goofy aspects. But frankly, I found it more entertaining than funny, even if forgettable.
A couple of nice touches. The primitive "tank" may look silly, especially with its underpowered three person motor, but is an imaginative one-of-a-kind. Just don't look for it at a Nascar speedway. Note too, how the professor's boring exposition on the nature of shrews is enlivened by Ann's (Goude) fearful background behavior. Thus a dull pill gets some fizz.
As a 50's drive-in vet, I'm a bit puzzled how so many folks find the 69-minutes a camp classic. Sure, it's got amusingly goofy aspects. But frankly, I found it more entertaining than funny, even if forgettable.
helpful•71
- dougdoepke
- May 31, 2017
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Die Nacht der unheimlichen Bestien
- Filming locations
- Lake Dallas, Texas, USA(Exterior)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $123,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 9 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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