Horrors of Spider Island (Severin Films Blu-ray Review)

Is Horrors of Spider Island Trash or Treasure?

Blu-ray Distributed By: Severin Films / May 26, 2020

Produced in 1960 as BODY IN THE WEB, it became a notorious Adults Only feature throughout Europe (though banned in the UK). Three years later and sheared of its nudity, it was repackaged for American audiences as a brain-melting monster movie filled with stripper catfights, skimpy lingerie and radioactive arachnids. Alexander D’Arcy – whose Hollywood career ranged from Leo McCarey’s THE AWFUL TRUTH to Al Adamson’s BLOOD OF DRACULA’S CASTLE – and ‘The German Jayne Mansfield’ Barbara Valentin (BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ) star in “the ultimate exploitation movie” (PsychotronicReview.com), produced by Wolf C. Hartwig of BLOODY MOON and SCHOOLGIRL REPORT infamy. Severin Films is proud to present both the complete uncensored version – scanned from the Düsseldorf dupe negative – as well as the alternate U.S. release – scanned from a pristine low con print – now together for the first time.

Jimbo’s Take (2 / 5)

Horrors of Spider Island is as derivative as movies come. There isn’t one wholly original idea in the entire movie. It’s not good in any conventional sense, but it’s very entertaining in an unconventional one. If you like campy, schlocky horror that is a magnet for the Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment, then read on…

The story is simple enough. A group of dancers miraculously survive a plane crash and are stranded on a tropical island with their Manager, Gary (Alexander D’Arcy). The girls enjoy skinny dipping in the lagoon, getting into catfights, and throwing dance parties for visiting sailors. Meanwhile Gary gets bitten by a giant, mutant spider and turns into a monster.

If you’ve seen one “monster on an Island” movie from this era, you kind of have a general sense of what this is going to entail. Unfortunately, there’s not enough horror or monster mayhem for my liking. The movie plays more like a beach-party flick with an occasional monster hand reaching out from the underbrush. Even still it’s not as much goofy fun as something like The Horror of Party Beach. Nor is it as horror driven as the Blood Island trilogy (Terror Is A Man, Brides of Blood, & Mad Doctor of Blood Island) which all do “monster on a island” better.

Still, the movie has its charms. Monster effects and make-up are laughably absurd. And the story ping-pongs extraneous storylines so often that it’s rarely boring. And if you like boobies, well…

The Tech Stuff (3.5 / 5)

This screen grab illustrates the most notable technical detail about the ‘uncut’ version of Horrors of Spider Island. It’s only jarring if you’re not used to this kind of thing, but Severin makes these scenes as seamless as possible. Of course, if you watch the movie in German, you won’t have this problem.

The video image is nothing spectacular, but given the film’s age, and it’s relative obscurity, it’s a fine looking transfer worthy of the format. Just don’t go expecting home theater showcase material. There are instances of scratching and other film imperfections. But honestly, the movie has never looked better.

As noted, the film’s two audio tracks give you the option to watch the movie in either English or German. I opted to watch the film in English with the occasional German inserts. Again, nothing earth shattering, but definitely a very solid presentation.

Extras (3 / 5)

Alternate US Release Version: IT’S HOT IN PARADISE
- This is a shorter, alternate, US release version. No major changes of note. Mainly changes to the title cards. Largely just omits scenes from the longer ‘uncut’ version to shorten the runtime.
The History of Spider Island With Prof. Dr. Marcus Stiglegger
- This interview is brief (15 minutes), but Dr. Stiglegger offers enough interesting tidbits about the cast and crew to give some history beyond the main title film. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into the movie itself, you’re going to be disappointed as this feature is the most in-depth bonus that has been included.
Audio Interview with Actor Alexander D’Arcy by Horror Historian David Del Valle
- Only about 2 minutes in length, and only covering D’Arcy’s recollection of Horrors of Spider Island.
Alternate Clothed Scenes
- It’s exactly as it sounds. About 8 minutes of scenes re-performed, but with the actresses wearing their bikini tops.
Trailer
Revisable Artwork

Trash or Treasure? Overall Recommendation

Horrors of Spider Island doesn’t land anywhere near my list of much watch films. It’s yet another entry in a long list of generic mutant-monster-man on an island films that were very popular at the time. But, that is certainly good enough reason for many. And if you consider yourself part of that movie cult, this Severin Films blu-ray has more than enough material to keep you entertained.