U.S. DVD Release
Tom (Lewis Fiander) and Evelyn (Prunella Ransome) are on vacation and have decided to avoid the busy, tourist heavy spots in favor of a quiet little getaway on an island called, Almanzora. After making a few stops in Benevides, they hire a boat, set out for Almanzora and effectively begin their vacation.
After a lengthy four hour boat ride they finally arrive at port and are greeted by a group of helpful children playing in the water. Their trip is shaping up to be wonderful thus far but there’s only one small problem, the town square is empty. Actually, the entire town appears to be empty! The local store, post office, restaurant and motel are all desolate and the only people Tom and Evelyn have seen have been children. The only indications they get that somebody else may be alive on the island are mysterious phone calls from an unknown location in town.
As the couple begins investigating things further they’re horrified to witness a young girl beat the snot out of an old man with his own cane! Tom immediately springs into action but it’s too late, the child makes her exit and the old man is dead. Not really knowing what to do, Tom carries the old man’s body into a barn and attempts to leave. No sooner does Tom close the barn doors before he hears the gleeful squeals of playing children inside. Carefully opening the barn door he witnesses a scene so disturbing he turns tail, pukes and runs.
There’s something wrong in the town of Almanzora alright and whatever it is the children have all been affected by it. Instead of playing ball, swimming and dressing dolls they’ve taken up arms, killed the island’s adult population and have no plans of allowing Tom and his pregnant wife to leave! No matter where they run the children seem to be there…watching…waiting. Can Tom bring himself to use lethal force against the youngsters in order to survive or will his conscience get the better of him?
After all…who can kill a child?
What a fantastic film! I was just so blown away as the end titles scrolled. I really cannot understand why in hell the original U.S. distributors would choose to slice, dice and re-title this little known masterpiece but we can all thank our lucky stars the DVD revolution has finally allowed us to see this in all of its original uncut glory!
I’m quite certain many of you have seen some of the “Children Gone Amok” films floating about out there and many of them, like Village of the Damned (’60) and Lord of the Flies (’63), are wonderful films. In my opinion this film, despite the heavy-handed opening title sequence, is every bit as good. If you’re one of those people that are unable to handle violence toward, and committed by, children…this would definitely not be the film for you. While much of the violence is played out off-screen, it’s still effective enough to leave an impact. You’ll never look at piñatas the same again, I guarantee it.
As I mentioned above, the opening title sequence did run a bit long in order to make the point that children are always the true victims in this world but it was incredibly heartbreaking to watch as well. Emaciated, maimed children fill the frames as we’re given the run down on the evils of war and poverty; it’s a rough watch indeed. I think the only problem many viewers will have with the film is the lack of explanation for the children’s psychotic behavior and murderous actions. There are hints that it may all be linked to one specific child (Javier De La Camara) but director Narciso Ibáñez Serrador never reveals anything and we’re left to ask ourselves whether it was a young boy’s angry psychic ability or simply nature sending the adults of Almanzora (and possibly the world) a message.
Either way, I’m sending you a message…CHECK THIS FILM OUT; it’s thought-provoking and even a little controversial. Those of you unlucky enough to have seen this film in its previous incarnation as Island of the Damned will no doubt be interested in seeing this again as it was meant to be seen. Enjoy!
