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Richard Carlson, Julie Adams, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno, Nestor Paiva ... see more see more... , Whit Bissell , Bernie Gozier , Henry Escalante , Ben Chapman , Perry Lopez , Sydney Mason , Rodd Redwing , Ricou Browning

Universal Pictures introduced audiences to yet another classic movie monster with this superbly crafted film, originally presented in 3-D. The story involves the members of a fossil-hunting expedition... read more read more... down a dark tributary of the mist-shrouded Amazon, where they enter the domain of a prehistoric, amphibious "Gill Man" -- possibly the last of a species of fanged, clawed humanoids who may have evolved entirely underwater. Tranquilized, captured, and brought aboard, the creature still manages to revive and escape -- slaughtering several members of the team -- and abducts their sole female member (Julie Adams), spiriting her off to his mist-shrouded lair. This sparks the surviving crewmen to action -- particularly those who fancy carrying the girl off themselves. Director Jack Arnold makes excellent use of the tropical location, employing heavy mists and eerie jungle noises to create an atmosphere of nearly constant menace. The film's most effective element is certainly the monster itself, with his pulsating gills and fearsome webbed talons. The creature was played on land by stuntman Ben Chapman and underwater by champion swimmer Ricou Browning -- who was forced to hold his breath during long takes because the suit did not allow room for scuba gear. The end result was certainly worth the effort, proven in the famous scene where the Gill Man swims effortlessly beneath his female quarry in an eerie ballet -- a scene echoed much later by Steven Spielberg in the opening of Jaws. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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64% liked it

21,911 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

28 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 19 min.

Directed by: Jack Arnold

Release Date: March 5, 1954

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DVD Release Date: August 28, 2001

Stats: 957 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (957)

  • fb100002384654145
    May 26, 2012
    fb100002384654145
    The story and characters are rather simplistic but the true reason to see this film is for the legendary "Gill Man". The underwater scenes are beautifully shot, containing a surreal sequence were Gill Man swims beneath an unsuspecting female diver. That scene would later inspir... read moree the opening sequence for Steven Spielberg's "Jaws". The music was also awesome, filled to the brim with dramatic orchestral cues. A must see for any fans of the monster movie genre.
  • fb100001493964409
    February 16, 2012
    fb100001493964409
    There's a reason why this is one of the most legendary monster films in existence. It doesn't really have that good of a story, or acting, but the underwater photography is very good for the time. But what really sets this film apart is the creature itself. Now, the design hasn't... read more exactly aged well (the suit is obviously made of rubber), but there's something that has aged far more gracefully than the rest of the film: the creature performance. The inherent problem with B-Monster-Movies of the 50s is that the people playing monsters in a suit moved like people just flailing like they had a bulky suit on. The Creature from the Black Lagoon MOVES like a Creature From the Black Lagoon. When Gillman (his official Universal Studios name) swims underwater, he doesn't move like someone awkwardly maneuvering in a rubber suit, he moves like an aquatic creature. The Gillman on land's movements are a bit questionable, but the creature's physical performance is convincing enough that it becomes strangely immersive as an experience. Add in some real suspense at points and you have one pretty dang good monster movie. Check it out.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    September 23, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    This classic monster film inspired an entire new generation of horror monster. The Creature from the Black Lagoon is a classic of horror. The film is a benchmark in the horror genre in terms of special effects, story and of course for creating a new breed of horror ghouls. As man... read morey critics, and fans before have said, without this film we wouldn't have other horror greats such as Alien and Predator. The Creature from the Black Lagoon is the starting point. Any horror fan owes it to themselves to check this one out because of its significant impact on the genre. Not only is Creature from the Black Lagoon an important film that every horror fan should see, but it is a film that is brilliantly acted and plot. The films plot is pretty simple, but sometimes the simplest ideas are the ones that work best, and in the case of The Creature from the Black Lagoon, that is very much the case. The creature effects are fantastic for the time period, and add to that stellar cinematography and you have a film that is memorable and is a must for horror buffs. The films musical score is chilling as you see the Gill-Man attacking the members of the expedition that are looking for fossils in the Gill-Man's habitat. The film has an incredible cast of actors, and they really make this film soar, the film entertaining and like so many other monster films, Creature from the Black Lagoon is one of those films that has had a monumental impact on the genre, and is a film that is far more spectacular than most CGI monster extravaganza films of today. This film is a classic and remains of the greatest monster films in the horror genre ever put on film.
  • flixsterman
    May 7, 2011
    flixsterman
    Okay, so maybe it doesn't deserve FOUR stars but Creature from the Black Lagoon is such an integral and beloved part of my childhood that I couldn't bring myself to give it anything less.
  • skeletonking101
    January 15, 2011
    skeletonking101
    a pretty decent monster flick from the universal monster movies
  • MissMorganLeee
    November 27, 2010
    MissMorganLeee
    gotta love the classic 50s cheese horror!
  • sanjurosamurai
    November 16, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    absolutely one of the most underrated and unforgettable horror films ever made. this is probably my favorite of all of universals classic monster films. the creature has been an inspiration for many monsters in film since, and some of the images of him swimming near humans unde... read moretected in the first part of the film are simply bone chilling. the black lagoon was the perfect location for the film. the actors and character stories were well mapped out and the theistic evolutionary backdrop for the film set the stage perfectly as a lead up to the introduction of our sympathetic but murderous monster. a must see horror classic.
  • ajv2688
    November 9, 2010
    ajv2688
    Since many of the scenes take place under water, they're a little too slow and boring for a sci-fi horror movie. Of course I know this movie is considered a classic monster movie, but I didn't think it was that great.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    July 4, 2010
    cancercapricorn2002
    During an expedition up the Amazon, a group of scientists are looking to find more evidence of a fossil that was discovered, but they come face-to-face with a hostile half-man, half-fish creature. Who takes a real fancy to the lady assistant of the group and kidnaps her after esc... read moreaping the cage that the scientists had held him captive in.

    This totally successful Universal classic creature feature is unquestionably a very influential imprint on the many horror / Sci-fi ilks that followed it. I have not seen the flick in ages, but the charm and polish was still there to considerate one of my all-time favourite Universal monster flicks. Originally, it was distributed in 3-D, but even without that gimmick it stands up marginally well. There's something crisp about these b/w Universal features and "Creature from the Black Lagoon" is no exception.

    It's stoutly directed by Jack Arnold with extremely potent cinematography (especially the superbly executed murky underwater shots) and a robust to melodious patchwork music score. Though it's the star of the production were the limelight sticks on. The creature was thought-up through Universal compared to their other monsters that were found through literature. Bud Westmore's astounding rubber design for the beast was vividly crafted and had an imposing figure and personality about it. Rounding off the solid production were credible performances from Richard Carlson, Richard Denning, Antonio Moreno and the simply gorgeous Julie Adams. No wonder why it's love at first sight for the creature! The to-the-point script rounds out the characters and situation they are in a durable manner. A "King Kong" aspect definitely shapes the premise, Beauty and the Gill-Man. And the leisurely story doesn't lean to far from its traditionally planned framework. In patches streamlining a certain eroticism found in some sequences breaks this mold. Director Arnold kicks away from sophistication to rally up genuinely compact suspense and an atmospheric air from its surroundings and natural sounds. It does have that feel of the scientists being out of their comfort zone, and we the audience acknowledge it too.

    One of the best monster flicks of the 50's era. Unpretentiously, adventurous fun
  • FilmFanatik
    February 23, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    This might've been popular at one time, but I'm not feeling it.

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Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
September 26, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Jack Arnold has a flair for this sort of thing, and if there really is anything frightening about a man dressed up in a rubber suit with zippers where the gills ought to be, Arnold comes close to find... Full Review

A.H. Weiler
October 31, 2006
A.H. Weiler, New York Times

This adventure has no depth. Full Review

Rob Humanick
October 16, 2011
Rob Humanick, Suite101.com

The beats of the film are like overused sandpaper, too worn down and tattered to have more than a passing effect. Full Review

Tony Macklin
June 14, 2011
Tony Macklin, tonymacklin.net

Like Silly Putty, Super 8 is silly fun. It stretches, snaps, and bounces. It's as elastic as pubescent imagination. Full Review

September 26, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Imbued with great atmosphere by director Jack Arnold, the film is genuinely frightening, but also elicits a certain amount of pathos for the creature. Full Review

September 26, 2007
Film4

The underwater sequences were excellently shot by Havens, and the make-up for the half man, half fish was a masterful creation by Bud Westmore and Jack Keven. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

The routine story is mightily improved by Arnold's sure sense of atmospheric locations and by the often sympathetic portrait of the monster. Full Review

Stefan Birgir Stefansson
July 8, 2005
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is

Very neat

Jeffrey M. Anderson
November 1, 2004
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

As directed by Jack Arnold, the film suffers from silly stretches of dialogue and wooden acting, but the underwater footage is still beautiful, and Adams radiates a strong, sexy screen presence. Full Review

Alex Sandell
November 5, 2003
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

Creepy underwater horror flick. Ahead of its time.

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Creature from the Black Lagoon Trivia

  • In the classic film, "The Creature From the Black Lagoon," what does the scientist find sticking out of the rock towards the beginning of the film?  Answer »
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