The Snow Creature can claim to be the first film ever made about the Yeti. What it can't claim is quality, which is unfortunate. Things commence with some potential, a botanical expedition into the Himalayas by a Dr. Frank Parrish gets derailed by vengeful guide Subra whose wife has been abducted by the Yeti. This part of the film does alright in a vacant sort of way, an atmosphere of constant cold, howling wind and darkness is nicely evoked giving the mountain journey a certain clammy power. There's interest too in the interactions of Dr. Parrish and Subra, Dr. Parrish wants nothing more than to pursue his own goals and cares nothing for the plight of the stolen lady, an utterly typical control questing scientist thrown up against the primal needs and power of another culture. Regrettably the writing doesn't escalate this conflict into an especially exciting sphere and the actors lack much in the way of drive or gravitas, but there is nonetheless a certain charge there. Suspense as well as we watch the chain of cold, heavy pack humping explorers head up the mountain in search of a beast unknown, there's fun anticipation to be had. But then the Yeti is actually revealed and things go tits up from there on out, frankly. Its a shoddy beast, an unimaginative costume lacking much in the way of hair (appears to be made from threadbare carpets) and without even a decent expression or menacing teeth. I guess perhaps the makers were aiming for a look of realism, a genuine representation of a missing link, but it simply doesn't work. Having ditched its suspense the film then lamely lumbers on, the beast is brought back to Los Angeles and predictably escapes, there are some shenanigans, the end. Night scenes conjure a bare modicum of atmosphere, but it isn't enough and the creature has very little to do, the odd suspense free, non-exciting attack and then its the end. Its near instantly forgettable stuff, aside from a hilarious discussion of whether the Yeti is a man or an animal. What makes this inspired bit of nonsense all the more amusing is the fact that it isn't too wide of the realities of bureaucratic nonsense and would likely take place even today. Oh and another plus is Teru Shimada being suitably fierce as Subru as well as stoic performances across the board. Still not enough to make the film worthwhile though. Basically this is utterly skippable stuff, not weird or interesting enough to be worthwhile for anyone but completists, and even they aren't likely to have a good time. 4/10
Review of The Snow Creature
