Shock Waves

As for this DVD edition the picture quality is pretty good. The interview with Luke Halpin (Also known as Sandy Ricks in 1960's `Flipper') is superb. It was great to see him how he looks today and talks about the actors in `Shock Waves' especially Peter Cushing. (Incidentally it would be great if the entire TV Flipper could be release on DVD!!)

Here in the UK `Shock Waves' was already officially release on DVD a couple of years ago where the source use were direct from old film prints giving a slight grainy look yet sharp DVD quality as expected on DVD releases. Where on this US version it is from the Director's prints and digitally restored in places to show less grain and is cut down to size from the original full screen (4.3) to 16.9 to give a widescreen effect as it probably was shown in certain US cinemas. Apparently `Shock Waves' was originally a TV movie and was filmed in 4.3 and NOT widescreen. The UK DVD Version is the original 4.3. When I compared it to this recent US Version it was trimmed top and bottom missing part of the film to give it's widescreen effect. Nether the less still an enjoyable watchable DVD!

The other extras features an enjoyable audio commentary and an extensive photo gallery displaying various posters from around the world, cast and crew plus behind the scenes `rare' photos. Also included are Theatrical trailers presumably used for cinema purposes.

A great buy. And sure to please viewers/fans who been waiting for this DVD release!


creepy "shockwaves" is gem of lowbudget movie   January 17, 2006
movie hound john
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

i first saw this movie on late nite t.v. in the early 80's and was blowen away that it scared me. nazis who were turned into water breathing zombies are unearthed after a tour boat runs into it and they start picking the people off. no gore just a creepy setting and some great scares. you won't find a better lowbudget flick than this little fright flick


The only good Nazi is a dead Nazi !   October 9, 2008
Liquid Faith (USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I will go on record as stating that this is one of the best zombie films made in it's time. I saw this film on vhs 20 or more years ago and have owned this dvd version for at least 6 years now. I watch it at least 20 times a year to this day. It is second in running against Romero's Day of the Dead as best Zombie flick ever. The story is basically a pleasure cruise on an overpriced but somewhat run down cruiser runs into an old derelict ship in the middle of the night while lost in a strangely eerie part of the ocean due to a compass malfunction. In the morning the captain (played by our old horror icon John Carradine ) goes missing. The crew and passengers go ashore to a nearby island when the cruiser's crank shaft gives out only to find the island is inhabited by an old Nazi scientist (played by our illustrious Peter Cushing). There the plot surges forward as the derelict is an old Nazi war vessel inhabited by the death corp. A group of undead Nazi genetic super solders whom begin appearing out of the ocean and attacking the shipwrecked victims. First off..the acting is pretty good in a low budget way, the cinematography is superb and the direction is fantastic. On top of that the cast members all were either old veterans or newcomers whom went on to do other later more successful horror films, like Brook Addams who went on to do Cronenbergs Dead Zone.
The imagery is as fantastic as the use of the local abandoned hotel sets and Florida marshlands they used to shoot the picture. The directors commentary on this dvd is very good and informative on how they pulled this picture off. Personally I can't see how anyone with a love for low budget horror or Zombie films just doesn't love this film. With all the bad zombie films made it's refreshing that one this good gets made...you tack on a very creepy acidy electronic score and you have a great, highly underrated early 70's horror film. Pay no attention to the Naysayers of this great treasure, the dvd transfer is superb, the story is great and the zombies are the best make-up effects on an undead picture in the 70's hands down. they did a great job.
This is a 5 star hidden gem of a Zombie film..and should be given the credit it deserves!
It's well worth the money period.