SNOWBEAST
US, 1977, 86 minutes, Colour.
Bo Svenson, Yvette Mimieux, Sylvia Sidney, Robert Logan, Clint Walker.
Directed by Herb Wallerstein.
Snow Beast is a telemovie that is capitalising on the atmosphere of films such as Jaws. In fact it imitates the technique of Jaws in many ways, a especially the subjective impressions of the monster with glimpses of him. This is only partially successful in creating a sense of menace, danger, death and destruction.
Bo Svenson has been reliable as a tough laconic hero in many films and repeats his performance here. Yvette Mimieux is a standard heroine. Sylvia Sidney plays a supporting role. It is average entertainement of a monster, a big foot menacing people at a ski resort.
1. An entertaining adventure telemovie? In the disaster trend?
2. The conventions of the genre: the isolated situation, the tourists, the hero, heroine, sheriff, people who are destroyed by the beast? The emphasis from 'Jaws' of not seeing the boast but feeling its menace? A satisfying derivative example of the genre?
3. Colour photography, snow locations, authentic atmosphere? Music? Special effects, especially the destruction sequences?
4. How credible was the plot: the menace at a ski resort, the people there, the tracking of the beast, the explanation of the beast and its violence, its cravings, return to its scene of destruction? The confrontation? Sufficient for the purposes of the entertainment and themes?
5. How well drawn were the main characters? Gar and his presence at the ski resort, his work, strength, skill? Tony Rill and his presence? Contrast of character? The sheriff and his confrontation of the snow beast? Ellen for romantic presence? Carrie and the tough old lady running the ski resort? The personalities of the various people destroyed and menaced? Character sketches, particular types for this kind of entertainment?
6. The special effects with the presence of the beast, its destruction, menace, tracking, confrontation?
7. The atmosphere of suspense, crises? Memorable sequences?
8. The usual themes of heroism, danger, good and evil?
