Cryptozoological horror films seem to be on the ascendant right now. Fortunately we here at Undead Backbrain are amongst those who think there can’t be too many.
Over the years there have been a few Abominable Snowman or Yeti movies. Some that spring to mind are: the Americanisation of Gojira director Ishirô Honda’s rare-as-hen’s-teeth Jujin yukiotako (“Abominable Snowman”), now renamed Half Human: The Story of the Abominable Snowman (US/Japan-1958; dir. Kenneth G. Crane and Ishirô Honda); The Snow Creature (US-1954; dir. W. Lee Wilder); Man Beast (US-1956; dir. Jerry Warren); Hammer’s excellent The Abominable Snowman (UK-1957; dir. Val Guest), written by the great Nigel Kneale and starring Peter Cushing and Forrest Tucker; Snowbeast (US-1977; dir. Herb Wallerstein), which was written by Psycho screenwriter and Outer Limits producer/writer Joseph Stefano; and the ultra-low budget The Abominable Snowman (US-1996; dir. Michael J. White). You can view two of these films in their entirety on our Cinema of the Backbrain page [look under 22 March 2011].
Coming this year is Snow Beast, a new Yeti-based creature feature from SunWorld Pictures, directed by Brian Brough and starring John Schneider, Jason London and Danielle Chuchran.
Synopsis:
People disappear every year out in the snow — but this year, something is adding to the bodycount.
Jim (John Schneider) and his research team study the Canadian Lynx every winter. This year, Jim has to take his rebellious 16-year-old daughter, Emmy (Danielle Chuchran), with him. But the lynx are missing. As Jim and his team try to find why, something stalks them — a predator no prey can escape.
Though this synopsis neatly avoids mentioning the nature of the “predator”, the newly released trailer isn’t shy about giving us more than a glimpse.
Trailer:
[youtube X2otpDfQouI]
Snow Beast has clearly taken a retro approach to its nature as a “creature feature”, eschewing CGI for a more tactile approach. Digital enhancement, yes, but the creature itself is a man in a suit (see the image at the top of this article), which may come as something of a relief to those who think that full digital creature effects in the mid-to-low range of the budgetary scale tend to lack presence and make one nostalgic for the sort of attention to detail that such FX masters as Stan Winston brought to the creation of monsters so many times in the past.
According to SunWorld spokesperson Marie Wilcox:
Cast members performed their own stunts (including John Schneider), making for a good time on set as we threw people through the air, dragged them through snow, launched them off snow mobiles, and dropped them into snow caves.
Snow Beast was filmed in 2010 and is an upcoming SyFy channel movie. It is slated for release on DVD, digital download, VOD, etc. late 2011. Details will be forthcoming.
- Sources: Marie Wilcox for SunWorld Pictures; IMDb; Facebook page (where you’ll find lots of production pictures). Via Avery Guerra. Written by Robert Hood
- Related: Claws
Love it!! Two of my favs, John Schneider and Jason London together in the same SyFy flick? Can’t wait!
Yeah, John Schneider- this film, “Return Of The Killer Shrews” and “Super Shark”! John’s rockin’ it out lately!
Is this a remake of the SNOWBEAST made for tv movie from like 1977?
I don’t think it’s a remake of the 1977 film. Not specifically. That one has a bit of a JAWS vibe, with its tourism angle. But, you know, the idea is fairly generic.
Anyone interested can watch the 1977 film here: http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/cinema-of-the-backbrain/yeti-films/
Hi,
This has just been released on DVD and Blu Ray in the UK and is avialable to buy. It is quite different seeing John Schneider in this role as opposed to his Dukes of Hazzards days.
I never really watched Dukes of Hazzard, but I became familiar with Schneider as Jonathan Kent in Smallville. I thought he was a convincing small-town father for Superboy and missed him when he was killed off.
Entertaining, a good flick to watch if your home and sick.
Does anyone know the name of the title soundtrack or who wrote or performed it.
The credit has some listings but I can find which it is. I don’t think it’s “Rip Snorter 2” by Adam Drake & Terry Devine King because I located a link which lead me to it but when I played the sample it turned out not to be. As for the others listed I am finding it very challenging to locate any reference to them by either song title, writer or movie title.