British horror went through a number of peaks (Hammer, Amicus and Wheatley) and troughs (TROG, 70s exploitation and those crap 90s horrors). THE MONSTER (AKA I DONT WANT TO BE BORN, AKA SUSANS BABY AKA SATANS BABY) fits into more the latter than the former but…but…it has a series of saving graces making it so bad, its…well good.
Lucy (Joan Collins) and Gino (Ralph Bates) have just had a lovely little boy. But the child has been born with what seems to be abnormal strength and an rather horrid habit of lashing out at everyone. He also has a sadistic pleasure in inflicting injury on others. Doctors cant help, Gino’s sister is a nun and she cant seem to make him sweet and loveable. In fact he lashes out at her with a venom. She is convinced that the baby is possessed. Nonsense many say but wait. When Lucy recounts a tale of an evil dwarf and his curse after she wouldn’t let him have his way with her, it might be he left her with more than a fear of small men.
DISC and EXTRAS
Network have cleaned up a rather contentious (to the modern audience) film. They have dressed it in a finery it doesn’t deserve but allowed the hysterical joys of the films absurdity to flow. In the interviews with director Sasdy and editor Palmer, you feel their smirking humour at the film and they graze over the likely responses of the viewing audience. The Second Features podcast team should then be credited with their contribution. They give it there all and are excellent. They deserve credit for not only taking the film to task but also to getting to the gravy of the whole. The film comes out, with a collective feel of glee. For within this film is a wonderfully obtuse film that should be enjoyed without seriousness or commitment.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
[] Brand-new interviews with director Peter Sasdy, editor Keith Palmer continuity supervisor Renée Glynne and wardrobe supervisor Brenda Dabbs
[] Brand-new audio commentary from the cult Second Features podcast team
[] Theatrical trailer
[] Alternative I Don’t Want to be Born titles
[] Image gallery
[] Limited edition booklet written by Adrian Smith
The Monster is on Blu-ray and DVD 11 October from Network
