Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Shriek of the Mutilated Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 16, 2022

The Yeti. The fantasy creature has been apart of myth and entertainment for a very long time, with filmmakers drawn to the strangeness of details about the creature and the mystery of its movements. It’s a big, scary looking beast that roams the wild, making it an easy fit for genre endeavors, especially ones looking to save a few bucks on the manufacturing of an elaborate monster. 1974’s “Shriek of the Mutilated” features almost no mutilation, but it does hope to sell the fear factor of the Yeti, pitting a team of academics against the wrath of a behemoth. “Shriek of the Mutilated” holds some potential for horror, and it ends with some degree of weirdness, but suspense hasn’t been invited to this big screen party, making for a periodically painful sit as director Michael Findlay mistakes lengthy, static conversations for riveting cinema.

Dr. Prell (Alan Brock) is a college professor looking for a few volunteers to help with a project on Boot Island. Accepting the job are Keith (Michael Harris), Lynn (Darcy Brown), Tom (Jack Neubeck), and Karen (Jennifer Stock), with the students curious about the opportunity, putting their faith in Dr. Prell’s leadership. Making the long journey to Boot Island, the students are soon exposed to the reality of Dr. Prell’s vision, with the educated man trying to capture a Yeti in the area, joined by his partner, Dr. Werner (Tawm Ellis). Believing the men to be crazy, the visitors soon find evidence of the Yeti’s presence, with the creature growing violent, becoming a threat as it makes its way out of the woods, looking to dine on human flesh.

It takes a long time before any sign of the Yeti arrives in “Shriek of the Mutilated,” and the wait is a little rough. Character introductions fill the opening act of the movie, getting to know the students and their relationships, including Keith, who’s singled out by Dr. Prell for what initially seems like sexual interest in the young man. They dine in a fancy restaurant that looks like a paneled midwestern basement, and Keith is soon made point man for the professor’s mission, joined by others looking to impress him and figure out what he has in store for them. There’s also a party sequence that’s loosely connected to the story, with Spencer (Tom Grail) a former student of Dr. Prell, sharing the details of his insanity during the festivities, suggesting the educator is nothing but trouble.

Spencer is correct about Dr. Prell, who’s looking to make a mess in the woods, trying to summon the danger of the Yeti, looking to capture the creature. If it sounds exciting, “Shriek of the Mutilated” absolutely isn’t, investing in lengthy conversations that lead to a full stop for the movie. This is not a cast prepared to make magic with their dialogue, and Findlay doesn’t have the inspiration to push the material in more enticing directions, simply aiming to get the film done, not energize it in any way. “Shriek of the Mutilated” has that graphic title, but there’s not a crazy picture to back it up, with most of the viewing experience devoted to tedious character interactions and real-time movement around the island.

Shriek of the Mutilated Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Shriek of the Mutilated" is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative. Vinegar Syndrome gives the movie a wonderfully cinematic viewing experience, which offers crisp detail throughout. Facial particulars are distinct, examining differences in age and some makeup additions. Costuming retains period fibrousness, and the Yeti's fur is appreciable. Colors are clear and bright, securing the hues of the 1970s, and primaries are vivid. The autumnal locations are preserved. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Shriek of the Mutilated Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers the low-tech production clarity, with defined dialogue exchanges. Scoring cues are sourced from older recordings, and they provide milder orchestral support. Sound effects are blunt.

Shriek of the Mutilated Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features cinematographer Roberta Findlay.

• "So Bad, So Great" (22:07, HD) is an interview with producer Eddie Adlum, who's an extremely charismatic man looking to have some fun with this conversation. Hoping to achieve a boyhood dream of making a movie, Adlum tried to make something happen as a young man, finding more success in the magazine industry, working for Cash Box and their coverage of jukeboxes. Meeting director Michael Findlay, Adlum found a storytelling partner and a fellow alcoholic, with the pair working with Cash Box money to finance "Shriek of the Mutilated," which he describes as "not a good picture." Learning how to make features as he went, Adlum realized he didn't have the talent for it, and his time with dishonest people wore him down. Casting is recalled, with star Alan Brock dealing with mother issues, and the interviewee explores his method of madness, keeping things lively every ten minutes, inserting some energizing violence. Adlum remains in the magazine game today, managing RePlay, a video game publication, and he closes with an anecdote about a famous director, labeling the tale the "Spielberg Resentment."

• "Yeti Again" (12:36, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Roberta Findlay, who details her relationship with director Michael Findlay, who held an intense passion for killing women onscreen, believing he would be capable of killing in real life(!). They first partnered on "Snuff," but Robert eventually left Michael, only to be pulled back into his orbit when "Shriek of the Mutilated" arrived. Roberta admits she doesn't have much of a memory when it comes to the particulars of the production, but she does recall her use of a stuffed armadillo in many shorts, and her careful framing of the yeti suit, which was worn by a short actor and carried a visible zipper. Roberta also goes into the details of a car accident that occurred during the shoot and music choices for the feature. She closes with her career path, eventually moving from adult cinema to horror when the video store gold rush arrived.

• "The Wilds of Westchester" (14:05, HD) tours locations used for "Shriek of the Mutilated" and "Invasion of the Blood Farmers" with host Michael Gingold.

• Interview (30:06) is an audio only discussion of "Shriek of the Mutilated" with author David Coleman.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Shriek of the Mutilated Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A Yeti does come out to play in "Shriek of the Mutilated," though the beast looks more like "The Shaggy Dog" than a fearsome creature of the wild. The picture can't pull off terrifying encounters, but it does have a destination in mind, helping the feature to find a mildly enjoyable conclusion. It's not worth the wait to get there, but it's good to know there's a bigger idea in play here, hinting at a more interesting endeavor if Findlay showed any interest in editing, shaping a more direct effort than the pure tedium he offers here.