After a lengthy sequence where a narrator extols the virtues of the underwater kingdom, mad scientist Dr Kurt Leopold (Marshall Grauer) transforms himself into a killer fish monster so that he can take revenge on the colleagues who ridiculed his ideas of turning humans into fish.
After each killing, the rubber-suited fiend puts an X through another photo on his wall. He also takes to the rivers and lakes to spread radioactive “pollution” via a domestic cleaning product spray bottle.
Meanwhile, two government agents (in red jumpsuits) are in lukewarm pursuit and foil the Doc’s attempt to kidnap a skinny-dipping blonde he’d planned to mate with.
“I cannot, I will not be stopped”, he thunders. “I will select a mate with the utmost care. Together we will create a new aquatic race!”
You’d think that a movie whose antagonist looks more like ALF than The Creature From The Black Lagoon, who uses the handrail to climb stairs, and is photographed from the waist up because the actor was wearing tennis shoes would have a chuckle or two.
Produced, co-written, and co-directed by Don Barton, who wisely never made another movie.
TRIVIA
The budget on Zaat was so low that the production couldn’t afford lighting for the outdoor night scenes so the headlights of cars had to be used.
The reflection of the car lights can occasionally be spotted in windows as the monster walks the deserted streets.
Dr Kurt Leopold
Marshall Grauer The Monster
Wade Popwell Sheriff Lou Krantz
Paul Galloway Marine Biologist Rex
Gerald Cruse INPIT Agent Martha Walsh
Sanna Ringhaver INPIT Agent Walker Stevens
Dave Dickerson Deputy Sheriff
Rich Valliere
Abominable Dr Phibes, The (1971) The Abominable Dr Phibes stars Vincent Price as a living corpse, seeking revenge on the nine medics who were in attendance…
Wake In Fright (1971) John Grant (Gary Bond) is the bored teacher at a one-room school in Tiboonda, a tiny railway junction on the…
I Drink Your Blood (1971) A band of satanist hippies - led by the demented Horace Bones (Bhaskar Roy Chowdhury) - roll into the little…
Evel Knievel (1971) This film biography of motorcycle daredevil and human crash-test dummy Evel Knievel offers plenty of action plus a full-length portrait…
I, Monster (1971) Despite the change of title and the names of the main characters, I, Monster is probably the most faithful screen adaptation…
Vanishing Point (1971) Kowalski (Barry Newman) has just driven 1,500 miles non-stop from Califonia to Denver, Colorado, to deliver a car. Pausing long…
Fellini's Roma (1971) Fellini's Roma is an affectionate portrait of a city that is populated by the strangest of people - at least in…
After each killing, the rubber-suited fiend puts an X through another photo on his wall. He also takes to the rivers and lakes to spread radioactive “pollution” via a domestic cleaning product spray bottle.
You’d think that a movie whose antagonist looks more like ALF than The Creature From The Black Lagoon, who uses the handrail to climb stairs, and is photographed from the waist up because the actor was wearing tennis shoes would have a chuckle or two.
