Remember this classic movie line?
“The web of destiny carries your blood and soul back to the genesis of my lifeform.”
Or about this one?
“Don’t worry. A naked girl is not going to get out of this complex.”
Well, don’t be so sure – there seem to be PLENTY of naked ladies running around in this classic 80’s cult sci-fi horror gem!
On Oscar day 2024, time to celebrate one of the 80’s great cult films – while some Oscar winners can be pretentious and too full of themselves, this classic, zombie horror and monumentally NUDE sci-fi movie “Lifeforce” is just pure entertainment!
Kudos To Director Tobe Hooper!
Director Tobe Hooper had burst onto the horror film scene a few years earlier with what many consider to be the most unsettling horror film ever made: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
A few years later, Hooper really scored with the smash box office hit, produced by Steven Spielberg, “Poltergeist”.
So, once he decided that the horror novel “The Space Vampires” would be his next movie, it seemed like a smash hit in the making…here is the film’s original trailer…
Check out the original trailer:
Here’s the plot of “Lifeforce”:
A space shuttle mission investigating Haley’s Comet brings back a malevolent race of space vampires who transform most of London’s population into zombies.
The only survivor of the expedition – along British authorities – attempt to capture a mysterious but beautiful alien woman who appears responsible for the mayhem. She is, as you will see, extremely naked for most of the film…
Here is a quote from the movie, something that is rarely said in the film:
Colonel Colin Caine: “Now she has clothes.”
Because, in fact, she NEVER HAS CLOTHES ON. This movie is amazingly naked!
“Lifeforce” was promoted and filmed under the title “The Space Vampires”, which was the title of Colin Wilson’s novel. Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus’ Cannon Films reportedly spend nearly $25 million in hopes of creating a full blown blockbuster. They felt that this title made it sound like a typical Cannon low budget exploitation film – which was a reputation they were trying to put behind them…
The title was changed from “Space Vampires” to “Lifeforce” – and a decision was made to pull back on Hooper’s amazing amount of nudity – so “Lifeforce” was released in the United States in an edited version…and you know what happened, of course – BOMBS AWAY!
“Lifeforce” didn’t even bring in half of its original budget. How could a movie with SO MUCH NUDITY flop so badly?
The film seemed to have it all: sci-fi action and effects, zombies AND naked women! And of course, dialogue like this:
Colonel Colin Caine: Tell me again how the girl overpowered you.
Dr. Bukovsky: She… was the most overwhelmingly feminine presence I have ever encountered. I was drawn to her on a level…
Colonel Colin Caine: Was it sexual?
Dr. Bukovsky: Yes. Overwhelmingly so, and horrible. Loss of control.”
Loss Of Control, Indeed…
The film wasn’t particularly well-reviewed, but with the filmmaker attached, the sci-fi elements and the nudity, it seemed to have big box office written all over it…now is your chance to re-discover this classic cult movie, as “Lifeforce” is being released on blu-ray with a ton of extras…
Theatrical and International Versions (the Blu-ray features both cuts, the DVD only includes the international)
New Audio Commentary with Director Tobe Hooper
New Cast & Crew Retrospective with Railsback, Hooper and others
Original “Making-Of Lifeforce” Vintage Featurette
Original Theatrical Trailer
Original TV Spot
Stills Gallery
Reversible Cover with Original Theatrical Key Art
I can’t wait to check this one out! It’s a cult classic from the 80’s that is begging for reconsideration. Let me know what you think!
Categories: Action Films, Books / Media, British Cinema, Exploitation films, Grindhouse, Horror films, London, Movies, Obscure Movies, Talent/Celebrities, Uncategorized
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