THE FOOD OF THE GODS

US, 1976, 88 minutes, Colour.
Marjoe Gortner, Pamela Franklin, Ralph Meeker, Ida Lupino.
Directed by Bert I. Gordon.

The Food of the Gods moves from jaws, via paws, to claws! Now Gnaws. Transferring and updating part of an H.G. Well's ecological fable to the U.S., the film shows monstrous mutations menacing mankind. Plot is desperately melodramatic and acting and screenplay are subordinated to the effects. The giant wasps look artificial, the chooks a bit alarming. But the rats . . . if you detest or fear rats, this film could be traumatic! Hordes of oversized rats terrorise and demolish many of the cast in ghoulish maulings. Still, it's Saturday matinee style of horror with the environment message spelt out unmistakeably and unavoidably. Of interest to horror and sci-fi fans. Others will find it gnawseating!

1. The appeal of science fiction, science fantasy? The emphasis on science and its running amok? The effect on human beings? 70s interest in science fantasy and ecology? The visual appeal, the special effects, horror and thrills?

2. The success and quality of this science fiction fantasy? The production values, the special effects? Their success, lack of success? How much did the impact of the film depend on them?

3. The use of a wide range of stars? Their status? The quality of the screenplay ? critics said it was a large liability. was this justified?

4. The setting of the atmosphere, the visual presentation of the island, communication by ferry, the weather and seasons, atmosphere? The introduction to the mutants? The combination of these?

5. The original story was by H.G. Wells. His contribution and insight? The success of H.G. Wells being adapted to America and updated to the 70s? Points being made for modern audiences?

6. The quality of the plot and interest and identification: the footballers, business, the Skinners, the young couple? ordinary people and their being confronted by mutants, their fear, danger, survival?

7. How interesting were the characters, how conventional? The hero and his background and type, the heroine and her science and type? Mrs. Skinner and her husband? The villainous businessman with an eye on money only? How much were they set types rather than characters? Representing particular attitudes in terms of the plot, human nature, ecology, moneymaking? How particularly American?

8. How interesting and exciting were the danger situations, suspense, threats? The use of blood and gore, gory deaths? Appropriate, exploitive?

9. The sequences on the ferry, the atmosphere of the island. the irony of the footballers and then the death, the introduction to the Skinners?

10. Comment on the visual impact and thematic impact, excitement of people's fears in pr(~senting the wasps, the cockerels, the worms, the rats? The visualizing of the food itself and the irony of its name?

11. The character of Mr Skinner, his role with the Food of the Gods, Mrs Skinner and her anxiety? Their involvement in the destruction by the rats? did they merit this? Comment on the besieging of the house by the rats, the car. the young couple? The deaths from the rats?

12. Comment on the devices used to save them, especially the involvement of the hero and heroine in the flood?

13. The final irony of the Food of the Gods. its destruction, its going into the water?

14. How effective is this kind of ecological fable? what effects does it have in changing social attitudes? For what audience?