Spasms (1983, Peter Fonda, Oliver Reed, Kerrie Keane) – Classic Movie Review 11,149

‘The guardian of the gates of hell… the ultimate terror as it rips into your flesh.’

Director William Fruet’s 1983 Canadian film Spasms [Death Bite] stars Peter Fonda and Oliver Reed.

The only spasms to be experienced here are the audience’s collective jeers and laughter at the dire plot and pacing of this daft horror tale about British millionaire Jason Kincaid (Reed) and his psychic link with a gigantic poisonous snake from hell.

Reed was bitten by the snake seven years earlier on the last of its regular rampage-visitations, and now luckily has snake-style vision! Reed at least goes to it lustily but Fonda looks embarrassed as the American scientist Dr Tom Brasilian who helps him battle the monster when it escapes from captivity and starts a killing spree.

Spasms is violent, exploitative nonsense with no thrills or excitement, just guaranteed unpleasantness and tedium. In the one bright spot, Tangerine Dream’s score adds a surface allure.

The screenplay by Don Enright and William Fruet is based on Michael Maryk and Brent Monahan’s novel Death Bite.

Also in the cast are Kerrie Keane, Al Waxman, Marilyn Lightstone, George Bloomfield, Miguel Fernandez, Angus MacInnes, Laurie Brown, Gerard Parkes, William Needles, Denis Simpson, Patrick Brymer, Al Maini, Denise Fergusson, John Bayliss, Barry Flatman, David Bolt and Les Rubie.

The special effects were designed by veteran Dick Smith.

Reed also starred in the similar Venom (1981).

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,149

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