The Mystery of Monster Island (1981)

Original title: Misterio en la Isla de los Monstruos

Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Adventure. Spain/USA. Starring Terence Stamp, Peter Cushing, David Hatton, Ian Sera, Blanca Estrada, Frank Braña, Paul Naschy, Gérard Tichy, Daniel Martín & Luis Barboo. Directed by Juan Piquer Simón.

CBS Fox Video (UK). English dubbed. Fullscreen.

I usually like J. P Simón's Jules Verne-films, but this is the exception: an abysmal film that doesn't work on any level. It will leave you irritated and annoyed at the poor level of filmmaking on display here. And Naschy fans needn't bother either: the lovable spanish bear is hardly in the film for a minute... 1/5

Sea Devils (1982)

Original title: Los Diablos del Mar

Adventure. Spain. Starring Ian Sera, Patty Shepard, Frank Braña, Aldo Sambrell & Gérard Tichy. Directed by Juan Piquer Simón.

Video Trade (Sweden). English dubbed. Letterboxed.

Naive, but in it's own way wonderful loose adaption of the Jules Verne story The Fifteen Years Old Captain (also filmed by Jess Franco in 1974). I really like this one a lot, but I can sort of understand where all the negative reactions to this film come from; it is a bit silly and naive, but in my opinion this kind of film should be. Its all about connecting with your inner childs sense of wonder. And Piquer's directional style fits this kind of high-kitsch, high-artifice pulp adventure story like hand in glove. Almost up there with the directors The Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth. 4/5

Fabulous Journey to the Center of the Earth (1976)

Original title: Viaje al centro de la Tierra

Adventure/Fantasy. Spain. Starring Kenneth More, Frank Braña, Jack Taylor, Pep Munné, Lone Fleming & Ivonne Sentis. Directed by Juan Piquer Simón.

VTC (Sweden). English dubbed. Letterboxed.

Maybe a bit campy for most people but in my book this is one of the most shamelessly entertaining fantasy films of the seventies! I'm a sucker for Jules Verne films and this one is almost as fun as its cover art! A near perfect blend of the dry, the goofy and the fantastical. This is tape no longer in my collection (have the DVD but need to get another copy just for the cover art!) 4/5