C.H.U.D.

US, 1984, 96 minutes, Colour.
John Heard, Daniel, Stern, Christopher Curry, Kim Greist.
Directed by Douglas Cheek.

C.H.U.D. is a horror film with a message. While it focuses on cannibalistic, humanoid underground dwellers (CHUD) it actually focuses on the problem of toxic waste, especially nuclear toxic waste and the cavalier attitudes of authorities in dumping it. In this case, nuclear waste is stored in the New York subway and has devastating effects on the vagrants who live there. The film highlights cover-ups in the nuclear regulatory commission. This reveals that C.H.U.D. actually means Contamination Hazard, Urban Disposal.

The film has a lot of ugly effects to appeal to the horror fans. Other audiences nay find it too gruesome. However, it is obviously a fable about ecology and nuclear waste for the horror film audience.

The film has a better than average cast led by John Heard and Daniel Stern. The film is quite interesting, makes its points - with horror touches.

1. The appeal of this kind of horror film? Nightmare? A fable about toxic waste and ecology? The danger to the contemporary cities? Administrative cover-ups?

2. The use of New York City settings, surface, underground? Buildings and streets, the sewers? Special effects and stunts? The score?

3. The plausibility of the plot: toxic waste, dumping in the New York subway? The effect on humans? The drastic confrontation of the problem? Political and police ramifications?

4. The title and the two interpretations?

5. The opening, the vagrants, the people walking the streets and their savage disappearances? Atmosphere of menace?

6. George and his study of the old people, the vagrants? His Skill as a photographer?

7. George and Lauren, their work together, the photography? The situation with the disappearances, George going to get the woman out of the police precinct, his encounter with the Reverend, the puzzle, the file? His going down into the sewers, discovering the bodies, trapped, the struggle, the manhole, the confrontation with the authorities? An ordinary citizen having to become hero?

8. Lauren, her relationship with George, their work together, his going down into the sewers, her fear, the invasion of the apartment, her having to cope, the horror?

9. The Reverend and his work with the town and others, the suspicions of the Police, the visit of Bosch, his report, anger, going with Bosch to the board, the confrontation, taking George's photo file, going down into the sewers, with George, the menace and the dangers, the manhole?

10. Bosch, the investigation, the disappearance of his wife, his skill at his work, with Chief O'Brien, going to see the Reverend, his searching, the clash, his being shot? His removing the truck? George and the Reverend? confrontation of Wilson, from the Penhole to save O'Brien, the picture of the police, the orders from authorities, administration?

11. Wilson, the officials, the meeting, his control, organising the special squad, the cover-up, putting the truck on the manhole, the attempt lo destroy with cannibals by fire, his death?

12. The vagrants, the nuclear contamination, their being transformed into monsters, the visuals, their destruction and on the rampage?

13. The story of the concealment? The effectiveness of the As a warning about nuclear disaster? official cover-up, the nuclear waste, the attempts to calm New York after the explosions?

14. The film as a horror story? As an ecological fable? waste? The dangers to the American cities?