Doomwatch *** (1972, Ian Bannen, Judy Geeson, George Sanders, John Paul) – Classic Movie Review 13,371

The 1972 British sci-fi horror thriller film Doomwatch is based on the popular Seventies BBC TV show, and stars Ian Bannen, Judy Geeson, George Sanders and John Paul.

Director Peter Sasdy’s 1972 British sci-fi horror thriller film Doomwatch stars Ian Bannen, Judy Geeson, George Sanders and John Paul.

Dumped chemicals give the inhabitants of a remote island a distorting disease that turns them into mutants. Waters around the island have become contaminated, and people who eat fish become deformed and violent.

This intelligent, caring horror film is adapted from the popular Seventies eco-conscious BBC TV show (1970–1972) in a screenplay by Clive Exton. The film adaptation is produced by Tigon British Film Productions and released in March 1972.

The capable Ian Bannen brings his authoritative presence as the investigator Dr Del Shaw, from the British ecological watchdog group Doomwatch, who is sent to the island of Balfe to report on the effects of an oil tanker spillage.

Dr Del Shaw, along with Victoria Brown (Judy Geeson), Dr John Ridge (Simon Oates) and The Admiral (George Sanders), helps the army probe the case. John Paul re-creates his TV role as Doctor Spencer Quist.

Times have changed of course, and it perhaps has not worn particularly well: the effects and plot seem on the creaky side now, though the warnings of various environmental and technological dangers remain entirely topical.

It was released in the US by Embassy Pictures Island of the Ghouls.

It was made at Pinewood Studios on sets designed by the art director Colin Grimes. and on location around Polkerris, Mevagissey and Polperro and Chapel Porth in Cornwall, and at the London Heliport in Battersea.

The cast

The cast are Ian Bannen as Dr. Del Shaw, Judy Geeson as Victoria Brown, John Paul as Dr. Spencer Quist, Simon Oates as Dr. John Ridge, Jean Trend as Dr. Fay Chantry, Joby Blanshard as Colin Bradley George Sanders as The Admiral, Percy Herbert as PC Hartwell, Shelagh Fraser as Mrs Betty Straker, Geoffrey Keen as Sir Henry Leyton, Joseph O’Conor as Vicar Norman Bird as Brewer, Constance Chapman as Miss Johnson, Michael Brennan as Tom Straker, and James Cosmo as Bob Gillette.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,371

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