Bloodlust! (1961)

The Brady Bunch go hunting, 9 February 2005

While on vacation, two young couples decide to explore what they believe to be a deserted island. They soon run into Dr. Albert Balleau (Wilton Graff) who offers them the hospitality of his home - the only one on the island. Dr. Balleau's house is decorated with the trophies from his various hunting expeditions. It seems he imports game to the island. Now, Dr. Balleau is looking for even more cunning and dangerous game to hunt on his island. The young couples learn that they are to provide him with the hunting thrills he seeks.

Bloodlust! was a much better movie when it was known as The Most Dangerous Game (1932). That movie is far superior to Bloodlust! in every way. Take the casts as an example. The Most Dangerous Game featured Joel McCrea and the original scream queen, Fay Wray. The insane hunter was played to perfection by Leslie Banks. In contrast, Bloodlust! features Robert Reed in one of his early roles. If the big name "star" of your movie is the future dad from The Brady Bunch, then you really don't have much. The hunter is played by Graff as a Vincent Price wannabe. It's really pathetic.

Another comparison, Bloodlust! goes for the cheap thrills by showing various body parts being prepared to be mounted for his trophy room. There is nothing that looks remotely real in this scene. The Most Dangerous Game leaves these images up to the viewers imagination. And (especially true with low budgets) the imagination is capable of creating far more horrific images than can be created by using a cheap rubber foot.

If you find the concept of a nut-job hunting people as sport appealing, watch The Most Dangerous Game. The Alpha DVD has a great image and can be had for about $5. The video appears to have been "taken" from the much more expensive Criterion DVD.

2/10