Swamp Thing

Dir: Wes Craven

1982

***

DC's Swamp Thing and Marvel's Man-Thing are pretty much the same comic-book character, developed by two friends and roommates who clearly went in different directions with the same idea, but it was DC's Swamp Thing who got to the big screen first. Although only based on Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson's idea, Wes Craven's story isn't too far from the origins of the original character. This was a shame for Man-Thing, as he could have had a much brighter future within a bigger comic-book universe and Swamp Thing really isn't that great. However, there are a few elements about it that I loved. Firstly, it's a cheesy action/monster b-movie, my favourite. Secondly, there is something quite unique about Swamp Thing himself. His relationship with Adrienne Barbeau's Alice Cable, a combination of two characters from the original comic, feels quite genuine and rather touching. There is a dreamlike quality about the film that can be said in many of Wes Craven's films that would come post-Nightmare on Elm Street. It is obvious that Swamp Thing was an exercise in proving Craven's worth to the film studios, showing that he could do action, drama and romance as well as horror and deliver a film on budget and on time, something he was very proud of. The film wasn't a hit but it has become something of a cult favourite among fans, a highly regarded failure from the studios perspective. If anything, 1982's Swamp Thing made DC and Marvel up their game somewhat when it came to the comics, as when Swampy failed, the great Alan Moore was allowed full creative control of the character and he created one of the comic world's greatest runs. Now an adaptation of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing would be something wonderful. 1982's Swamp Thing isn't perfect but it's still a lot of b-movie fun, the monsters are rubbish but lovable and it does star cult favourite David Hess, which is always a bonus.