Slithis - AKA Spawn of the Slithis (1978)

Radioactive cultists and transient meth-heads unite!  Slithis has returned from the contaminated depths of the canals to kill again.  Grab the 6-pack from the fridge, Horror Hounds and Gore-Gore Girls, we're going to need a steady stream of 12 fluid ounces to get through this mad tale of yet another blitzed citizen of Venice, California. 

"If you are a fan of creature features and Z-grade monster flicks, then this release is definitely for you"


 I don’t know about you, but watching a curly-haired, chubby kid toss a Frisbee in a tight-fitting shirt in painfully slow motion would not be my idea of the perfect opening for a film featuring a man in a 7-foot-tall rubber monster suit.  Far from it, in fact, but for this super fun and surreal wonky science fiction tale about an unpleasant beast roaring up from the canals of Venice, California to attack dogs and people alike, well, it absolutely works. 

Slithis or Spawn of the Slithis is all kinds of goopy-eyed crazy and, as it is written and directed by a Creature from the Black Lagoon enthusiast, one Stephen Traxler, it delivers enough protoplasmic kills and waterlogged thrills to last a lifetime.  Hell, we even have time for a bit of a mystery on our hands as one high school journalism teacher, Wayne Connors (Alan Blanchard), coerces a scientist friend (J.C. Claire) to help him analyze some weird-looking silt discovered at a murder scene that takes the shape of anything it encounters. 

The acting – punctuated by Hy Pyke’s gloriously bug-eyed turn as detective Jack Dunn – is, to quote the movie, “a freak combination” that is not often duplicated.  The performances are unpolished and unprofessional, but the patient viewer is more than rewarded for sticking all of the celluloid nonsense out.  We get insane and underage pick-ups from dirty old men at turtle races, logic-defying episodes from the underground, and a sleazeoid factor that is off the charts.Slithis - AKA Spawn of the Slithis (1978)

Kino Lorber, in partnership with Code Red and Shout! Factory, present Slithis on 1080p with the same 2017 2K scan of the original camera negatives which was the highlight of the previous release.  If you are a fan of creature features and Z-grade monster flicks, then this release is definitely for you. Slithis co-stars Judy Motulsky and  Dennis Lee Falt and, forgetting to lock the cabin door, makes sure none of its cast members are safe from any further creature attacks. 

Full of long takes (due to expenses) and lots of exposition with hilariously weird scenes that go on far too long, Slithis is a science fiction epic forced to feed its cast and crew on the dollar side of the menu.  Its ambitions are solid.  It’s the execution that provides the entertainment.  Complete with shady dealings with drug addicts on Muscle Beach and a seriously memorable meeting of the minds with a facially scarred scientist who, apparently, has had a run-in with the Slithis awhile back, the movie shames all others with its loopy momentum.   

All of the easily identifiable weak points are forgiven early on, though.  Especially when, about 90 seconds into the feature, we get our first POV shot from the alien as he emerges from the canals and drips, drips, drips his way into a stranger’s house.  And then we get the money shot of the monster.  Designed by artist Catherine Deeter, this rubber-suited beast is damn effective at creeping us out.  If only we got a bit more peeks at this latex-lipped monstrosity.  The next long viewing will be about an hour later and, thankfully, be shown in slow motion.     

Slime creatures from outer space come together and wallow in the awfulness that is Slithis!

5/5 beers

 

Slithis - AKA Spawn of the Slithis (1978)

Blu-ray Details

Home Video Distributor: Code Red
Available on Blu-ray
- February 26, 2021
Screen Formats: 1.78:1
Subtitles
:
Audio:
DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track.
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A

Finally nature unleashes its revenge! From the pollution of our nuclear waste came the killer we couldn't destroy. Our worst nightmares come to life with the terrifying, scaly monster - Slithis! First this nuclear mutant killed household pets near the canals of Venice, California. Now it preys on old couples and a homeless rotund man sleeping in the public men's room! Two outcasts, a teacher and a Jamaican seahunter, will take on the ugly monster to stop the slaughter! This mud monster creature is something out of those 50's classics we love!

Video:

Code Red DVD presents Slithis with a 2K restoration from the original 35mm film elements.  The crisp transfer is presented in a 1.78.1 aspect ratio and looks quite warm in the color department.  Reds are the dominant colors.  Black levels are solid, though.  The film looks crisp and colors are bold, with special gooey attention paid to the creature feature aspect of the special makeup effects.  It’s unlike any other version of the movie released thus far; focused and detailed.  

Audio:

The sound is presented in an adequate DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track.

Supplements:

Commentary:

  • Sadly, another release with no commentary.

Special Features:

Fans get the 2017 HD scan of the film and a theatrical trailer.

  • Theatrical Trailer

Blu-ray Rating

  Movie 5/5 stars
  Video  4/5 stars
  Audio 3/5 stars
  Extras 3/5 stars

Overall Blu-ray Experience

4/5 stars


Film Details

Slithis - AKA Spawn of the Slithis (1978)

MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime:
94 mins
Director
: Stephen Traxler
Writer:
Stephen Traxler
Cast:
Alan Blanchard, Judy Motulsky, J.C. Claire
Genre
: Horror
Tagline:
Hell hath no fury...like.
Memorable Movie Quote:
Theatrical Distributor:
Davis Productions
Official Site:
Release Date:
July 21, 1978
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
February 16, 2021.
Synopsis: Finally, nature unleashes its revenge! From the pollution of our nuclear waste came the killer we cannot destroy. Our worst nightmares come to life with the terrifying, scaly monster – SLITHIS! First this nuclear mutant killed household pets near the canals of Venice, California. Now it preys on old couples and a homeless rotund man sleeping in the public men's room!

Art

Slithis - AKA Spawn of the Slithis (1978)