Slugs (1988 film)
Slugs: The Movie (known under the Spanish title, Slugs, Muerte Viscosa) is a 1988 American/Spanish horror film based upon the novel Slugs (1982) by Shaun Hutson.
| Slugs, Muerte Viscosa | |
|---|---|
 Spanish theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Juan Piquer Simón |
| Produced by | José Antonio Escrivá, Francesca DeLaurentiis, Juan Piquer Simón |
| Screenplay by | Ron Gantman Juan Piquer Simón |
| Based on | Slugs by Shaun Hutson |
| Starring | Michael Garfield Kim Terry |
| Cinematography | Julio Bragado |
| Edited by | Richard Rabjohn Antonio Gimeno |
Production company | Dister Films |
| Distributed by | New World Pictures |
Release date | February 5, 1988 (United States) |
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Language | English |
Plot
When a rural town becomes prey to a strain of black slugs spawned from the disposal of toxic waste, it is up to the local health inspector to stop them. People die mysteriously and gruesomely, and only a health worker going by the name of Mike Brady has a possible solution, but his theory of killer slugs is ridiculed by the authorities. Only when the body count begins to rise and a slug expert begins investigating the town does it begin to appear as though Brady's theory may be right.
Cast
- Michael Garfield - Mike Brady
- Kim Terry - Kim Brady
- Philip MacHale - Don Palmer
- Alicia Moro - Maureen Watson
- Santiago Álvarez - Foley
- Concha Cuetos - Maria
- Frank Braña - Frank Phillips
- Patty Shepard - Sue Channing
- Kari Rose - Donna Moss
- Kris Mann - Bobby Talbot
Release
The film opened in the United States on February 5, 1988.
Critical reception
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film currently holds a 38% based on 8 reviews.[1]
Variety praised the "convincing special effects and make-up and snappy direction" and said it "has enough thrills and spills in it to keep youth audiences alert".[2]
Box office
The film flopped at the U.S. box office.[2] It opened in seven theaters in the United States and grossed $15,842 in its opening weekend.[3]
Awards
The film won a Goya Award for Best Special Effects by Gonzalo Gonzalo, Basilio Cortijo and Carlos de Marchis.[4]
Home video
Anchor Bay Entertainment released a DVD of the film in 2000. In 2011, Image Entertainment released a DVD of the film under the Midnight Madness Series. In 2016, British home video distributor, Arrow Films, released a special edition Blu-ray of the film, which contained a commentary track and interviews with several people associated with the film.
References
- "Slugs (1987)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- Besas, Peter (April 5, 1988). "Film Reviews: Slugs". Daily Variety. p. 13.
- Greenberg, James (February 10, 1988). "Fresh Pics Stir Up National Boxoffice, But 'Nam' Still Tops". Variety. p. 3.
- Besas, Peter (April 5, 1989). "'Women On Verge,' 'Rowing With Wind' Lead Spain's Goyas". Variety. p. 10.