Scotland Yard goes after a gang that drowns its victims for their insurance money. This 1968 color German-made feature was one of the last of the Edgar Wallace series, and like the later films it introduced horror and sex elements. The earlier black-and-white films were staples on american UHF TV in the 60s and 70s, and most are fascinating exercises in style and suspense. The later color films wound up being re-titled and shown on the bottom half of double bills at drive-ins in the early 70s, where I originally saw this one, where it was released by Sam Sherman's Independent-International Pictures. It's grotesque, sleazy, and over-the-top, and introduces too many characters, but seeing it again after 25 years I still find it a worthwhile experience and a good way to waste 90 minutes. No one makes 'em like the Germans do! "Der Gorilla von Soho" or "Gorilla Gang" or "Ape Creature" is a German color movie from 1968, so this one will soon have its 50th anniversary. It is another entry from the Edgar Wallace series that was made back then, especially by Alfred Vohrer and he is the director here once again. The film is one of these rare movies from the franchise that make it actually until the 90-minute mark. The lead actor here is Horst Tappert ("Derrick") and I must say he was one of the main reason why I did not like this film here. Another one would be the antagonists. The gorilla is pretty ridiculous and not in a good way. They did better with the animal characters in other films. And the real main antagonist (who we do not find out until the very end) is truly forgettable and bland. This film needed improvement in many areas I think and even the usual themes from these Edgar Wallace like the comedy and the several plot twists could not save this film. Still I must say I was a bit shocked about the very ending. Was that really a joke on male genitals? I am not sure. But it does not matter anyway as everything before that is certainly not worth sitting through. Watch something else instead.
Hawlejamar replied
344 weeks ago