"The Village of Guilt" is a bonafide monster episode, with the significance of having producer Irwin Allen actually in the director's chair, also guest-starring 50s sci-fi great Richard Carlson (Creature from the Black Lagoon; It Came from Outer Space) as a mad scientist responsible for a giant octopus terrorizing the ocean near Norway. This episode is as cliché as it gets; not one original idea that hasn't been covered before in other creature features. But I tell you, this is still a ton of fun if you like seeing mad scientists and giant sea monsters. Carlson really models his scientist after those obsessed, "nothing or no one will stand in my way", loons with a bit of mad in his eyes, projecting determination and dedication to his work, wholly interested in having his name held in high esteem for his achievement in marine biology, with quite a massive ego to go along with his unyielding desire to accomplish what so many have failed to do
produce such large marine life that will provide a constant food source the world needs in order to survive. Actually, this might seem like a novel idea, but Carlson's experiments have gotten too dangerous and his dream has led to multiple deaths (including his own murder of an eyewitness, a fisherman who survived an octopus attack, suction spots on his back proof of the monster's existence). Carlson, having lost any remaining sense of moral obligation to protect human life, wishes to see if his "baby" can survive the weaponry of the Seaview, threatening the whole crew on board. Yep, we do get our giant octopus attack on the Seaview, as well as, Carlson's star power do help to counteract the "been there, done that" feel of the premise and conclusion. Carlson is still in great shape, although his better days were ten years prior to this guest spot on Voyage to
You get trips to the Norwegian village, Tana, where the local fishermen give Admiral Nelson and Capt Crane the cold shoulder, Anna-Lisa's Sigrid disapproving of husband Carlson's immoral downward spiral, and multiple attempts on getting rid of the Seaview because their presence is a danger to the mad scientist's experiments (such as a fake bomb attached to the hull of the Seaview, rocks and bullet-fire aimed at Nelson and Crane, etc.). Allen was inspired, wanting to really entertain his show's audience, even though the material is formulaic and familiar. I had fun, and that's the point of the show really. The show takes liberties on the Seaview's abilities to just go where they please in order to explore eyewitness accounts of possible sea monsters, but that seems like minor annoyances I really can look past if the show still provides an enjoyable 50 minutes of sci-fi fun, which this episode did for me.
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV Series)
The Village of Guilt (1964)
User Reviews
Review this title5 Reviews
Yet another crazy scientist and sea monster...but still pretty cool.
planktonrules17 September 2017
When the TV series, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" began, it emphasized villains. But shortly thereafter, the show began to feature sea monsters...and they became frequent guest stars on the program. Here, we have both...a crazed villain AND monsters!
The show begins with some Norwegian guys getting attacked by a sea monster (actually, this clip was lifted from a film animated by Ray Harryhausen...I think it might have been "It Came From Beneath the Sea"). Soon the Seaview is dispatched there to investigate. Oddly, the townsfolk are an amazingly unfriendly lot and they do their best to hinder the investigation. And, you wonder why as the baddie responsible for the gigantic sea creatures is a nasty and nutty sort of fellow who loves to play god (Richard Carlson).
Monsters and a megalomaniacal doctor...more than enough reason to watch this one.
The show begins with some Norwegian guys getting attacked by a sea monster (actually, this clip was lifted from a film animated by Ray Harryhausen...I think it might have been "It Came From Beneath the Sea"). Soon the Seaview is dispatched there to investigate. Oddly, the townsfolk are an amazingly unfriendly lot and they do their best to hinder the investigation. And, you wonder why as the baddie responsible for the gigantic sea creatures is a nasty and nutty sort of fellow who loves to play god (Richard Carlson).
Monsters and a megalomaniacal doctor...more than enough reason to watch this one.
One of the better episodes
michaeljayklein50031 October 2012
This had a lot of nice atmosphere and despite the plot, played it "straight" with many good touches (like many Irwin Allen TV shows, they started out more or less fine before descending into "What kind of weird monster can we feature this week?" Richard Carlson, a very underrated actor in my estimation, shows here that he could play outside the scope of diffident youths (when younger) or straight-laced scientific-types (as he got older). He gives a well nuanced performance here and it's quite a different characterization for him. The rubber octopus is bogus (shades of "Bride of the Monster" almost) but the clips lifted from "It Came from Beneath the Sea" made for a good opening. No disrespected intended to fans of the show or the creative forces behind it, but how on Earth did Richard Basehart get involved in this series? I mean, heck, the man was in "La Strada"!
Giant Octopus mayhem
benkidlington2 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
In a secluded Norwegian fishing village, an archetypal mad scientist lets arrogance get the better of him as he takes extreme measures to prevent any possible disruption to his experiments. He's even prepared to kill in order to ensure success. His altruistic goal being to feed the world's starving millions by growing vastly over-sized marine animals for food using hormonal secretions from the pituitary gland.
To this end, he creates a giant, monstrous octopus with a penchant for devouring anything that moves. He then lets it loose in the nearby Fjord.
On hearing news reports of multiple fatalities amongst the local fishermen and descriptions of a huge sea-monster, Admiral Nelson orders the Seaview to set sail for Norway to investigate.
After being confronted firstly by a wall of silence amongst the locals and then subsequently being shot at, Nelson and Crane eventually hunt down the perpetrator, who by this time really has gone off the deep end.
The scientist deliberately sets the huge octopus onto the nearby submerged Seaview in an attempt to see how hardy the monster really is. He also seems to perhaps derive some sadistic pleasure from this showdown between the cephalopod and the nuclear sub. This is short-lived however, as in standard sci-fi tradition the creator is ultimately destroyed by his own monster.
Fortunately thanks to Admiral Nelson's quick thinking and intimate knowledge of the Seaview's design, the sub is saved and the monster destroyed for good. He'd realised that cranking the nuclear reactors up to maximum power would overload the electrical systems of the vessel, inducing an electric charge on the hull and effectively electrocuting the octopus.
The legality of US naval officers landing unannounced in Norway and pursuing their own manhunt on Norwegian soil, with the complete absence of involvement from the local authorities seems questionable. Unless we assume it was authorised as some sort of NATO operation with the agreement of the Norwegian government. Perhaps a brief line of dialogue to that effect should have been inserted somewhere in the script to clarify this.
It's also apparent in this episode that the generic "sub dive" sequence can be strung out to any length desired, presumably to pad the episode to the correct length. Here we get a very lengthy diving sequence, as not only do we see the standard stock footage of the sub diving complete with the periscope footage of a WWII-era sub; we also see Captain Crane confirming "Decks awash, bows under and stern gone". It's fun to watch, but it sticks out because diving sequences in previous episodes have been typically much shorter than this.
Overall though the episode is very exciting and enjoyable with a good supporting cast. Admiral Nelson may not be the biggest man out there, but one sure thing, he knows how to fight! Also, the "catfish" scene is hilarious.
To this end, he creates a giant, monstrous octopus with a penchant for devouring anything that moves. He then lets it loose in the nearby Fjord.
On hearing news reports of multiple fatalities amongst the local fishermen and descriptions of a huge sea-monster, Admiral Nelson orders the Seaview to set sail for Norway to investigate.
After being confronted firstly by a wall of silence amongst the locals and then subsequently being shot at, Nelson and Crane eventually hunt down the perpetrator, who by this time really has gone off the deep end.
The scientist deliberately sets the huge octopus onto the nearby submerged Seaview in an attempt to see how hardy the monster really is. He also seems to perhaps derive some sadistic pleasure from this showdown between the cephalopod and the nuclear sub. This is short-lived however, as in standard sci-fi tradition the creator is ultimately destroyed by his own monster.
Fortunately thanks to Admiral Nelson's quick thinking and intimate knowledge of the Seaview's design, the sub is saved and the monster destroyed for good. He'd realised that cranking the nuclear reactors up to maximum power would overload the electrical systems of the vessel, inducing an electric charge on the hull and effectively electrocuting the octopus.
The legality of US naval officers landing unannounced in Norway and pursuing their own manhunt on Norwegian soil, with the complete absence of involvement from the local authorities seems questionable. Unless we assume it was authorised as some sort of NATO operation with the agreement of the Norwegian government. Perhaps a brief line of dialogue to that effect should have been inserted somewhere in the script to clarify this.
It's also apparent in this episode that the generic "sub dive" sequence can be strung out to any length desired, presumably to pad the episode to the correct length. Here we get a very lengthy diving sequence, as not only do we see the standard stock footage of the sub diving complete with the periscope footage of a WWII-era sub; we also see Captain Crane confirming "Decks awash, bows under and stern gone". It's fun to watch, but it sticks out because diving sequences in previous episodes have been typically much shorter than this.
Overall though the episode is very exciting and enjoyable with a good supporting cast. Admiral Nelson may not be the biggest man out there, but one sure thing, he knows how to fight! Also, the "catfish" scene is hilarious.
A Few Fun Bits
StuOz27 October 2016
An octopus attack sends Nelson and Crane to a "village of guilt".
Directed by Irwin Allen himself as this was the second episode in production order (and UK/Australian DVD order).
Irwin Allen directed some of the best TV hours ever made (mainly the pilots to Voyage, Time Tunnel and Land Of The Giants) so I went into The Village Of Guilt expected some mind-blowing images/dialogue/music as we normally get in Allen directed hours...but got this instead!
Okay, granted, maybe I was expected too much as this episode does not have the budget of a pilot, but hey, I thought I was going to get something better.
This could best be described as an episode with a few fun bits: the giant sea creatures seen through the Seaview nose window, Irwin Allen himself doing the un-credited voice of the radio guy at the start.
Other reviewers here seem to see more in this hour than me, so good for them!
Directed by Irwin Allen himself as this was the second episode in production order (and UK/Australian DVD order).
Irwin Allen directed some of the best TV hours ever made (mainly the pilots to Voyage, Time Tunnel and Land Of The Giants) so I went into The Village Of Guilt expected some mind-blowing images/dialogue/music as we normally get in Allen directed hours...but got this instead!
Okay, granted, maybe I was expected too much as this episode does not have the budget of a pilot, but hey, I thought I was going to get something better.
This could best be described as an episode with a few fun bits: the giant sea creatures seen through the Seaview nose window, Irwin Allen himself doing the un-credited voice of the radio guy at the start.
Other reviewers here seem to see more in this hour than me, so good for them!
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