Nat, Cody, and Robert delve into one of Italy’s early entries into the science fiction genre with CALTIKI, THE IMMORTAL MONSTER.
CALTIKI, THE IMMORTAL MONSTER is a precursor to Mario Bava’s directorial career as he was an uncredited co-director of this and head of cinematography and special effects. As kind of a ripoff of THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT it has more gore, sexier women, and moodier cinematography.
Awakend in an abandoned Mayan city, the blob-like Caltiki wastes no time in gorily dispatching members of an archeological expedition, before
After barely defeating CALTIKI with a truck full of fuel, the scientists naturally bring a portion of the creature back to Mexico City. Because what could go wrong with that? Except possibly the completion of an ancient prophecy.
CALTIKI doesn’t offer a lot that hasn’t been seen before. You can clearly see a number of films that were stolen from, including CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, X, THE UNKNOWN, and THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT. But, all that is forgiveable when a director brings some style to the proceedings. And Mario Bava never made a film where he didn’t lend some style. Whether that style is enough to carry the film over some narrative rough patches is something you’ll have to listen to the episode to find out.
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Time tracks:
CALTIKI, THE IMMORTAL MONSTER Discussion 0:00 to 44:33
Next Movie and Outro: 44:33 to End
Next month, we jump forward to the 1990s and Albert Pyun’s NEMESIS (1992). We hope you’ll join us.
