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I've got to give it to SHOUT FACTORY. These folks know how to put out a DVD. A perfect example is the recent release of KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS. Those of us old to enough to remember the film remember it as a creepy crawly shriek fest that had us itching and scratching ourselves as we were certain that a black widow had climbed up on us as we were watching.
Watching it now we of course recognize it for what it is, an early precursor to films like ARACHNOPHOBIA and EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS who did the similar story line only with multi-million dollar effects. It follows the formula that films of that era invented. All the money shots were saved for the end of the film. The first two thirds are all innuendo and character development with all the creature action taking place in the last 25 minutes or so. I guess the easiest way to describe it is that it's like watching a TV movie.
The 70's of course had more then its fair share of "nature run amok" films and KINGDOM fits right in there. It is actually a very enjoyable view and William Shatner is at his best as RACK HANSEN a rural veterinarian who gets called to a farmers ranch when the farmers prize calf gets mysteriously sick. After consulting with a entomologist it is determined that the calf died from a huge dose of spider venom. After a series of events a giant "spider dome" is discovered in the field of the farm where the calf died. Literally thousands of tarantula's are creeping and crawling around and they seem to have developed a taste for blood.
A plan is concocted to spray a pesticide from an airplane to kill the creepy crawlers but of course the spiders attack the plane causing it to crash. After that it is all out spider mayhem as our eight legged friends turn on us and start hunting our heros down.
I won't give away the ending as if you haven't seen it, it's a classic and if you have, you know you want to see it again.
Make no mistakes, KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS is not a great film abut it is one fun film and SHOUT FACTORY'S release is top notch. The film looks great and there are a bunch of really nice special features. I enjoyed the new interview with Shatner and the behind the scenes footage of which there was quite a bit and it was entertaining to watch.
A nice commentary track with the director, producer, the spider wrangler and the cinematographer.
I would highly recommend picking this one up. Just remember you're watching a film that is over 30 years old. They actually used live spiders and there is no way that CGI can beat that.
KINGDOM OF THE SPIDERS is available now from SHOUT FACTORY. You can CLICK HERE to head on over to their website and pick it up.
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