Frogs

I have to admit, walking into Frogs I was expecting the typical, B-grade, trash horror film that you just love to watch (or, I do, anyway). Instead, I found this this to be a legitimately good horror film. If Hitchcock can make a horror film about birds, then American International can make a horror film about frogs. Actually, I think this could be described as the unwanted younger brother of The Birds. I say unwanted because the title alone would steer away most audiences, whereas the name Hitchcock will attract others. This film could also be accurately retitle, Revenge of the Reptiles and Amphibians, but I think that's just too long. You see, the frogs never directly do any of the killing, and that probably works to the film's advantage. You don't have to worry about bad special f/x frogs eating people. Instead, the dirty work is left to the snakes, alligators, lizards, and if I'm not mistaken, even a snapping turtle. But through it all the frogs seem omnipresent and ever watchful -- as if they are controlling the revolt. It takes place on a Southern island plantation. Ray Milland is the stern, stubborn family patriarch, and a young Sam Elliott plays a photographer who, by chance, meets up with this family. The suspense scenes are surprisingly well executed and don't strain disbelief. It even manages to build up eerie atmosphere thanks to the inventive photography and Les Baxter's subtle, underlying score. I think this is the kind of film that both the fans of the B-grade horror film and fans of the "legitimate" horror film can enjoy.