Wizard-8 I feel I should first mention that I watched the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of this movie. And after watching it, I am glad I saw that version instead of the original version. The movie is poorly made in every area that you can think of. Though the original version was only eighty minutes long, I could still see even in the MST3K version that the story was ridiculously padded with dance/song numbers and other material that does not advance the plot at all. The special effects are awful as well, so bad that they are not unintentionally amusing at all, instead just embarrassing to witness. Maybe because of the cheap special effects, the story was clearly written to be tongue in cheek, but isn't the least bit amusing. But the worst thing about the movie is that there is not one likable character. The bad teens are bad, and the good teens are stupid and annoying. As you can see, the original version is a movie that is tough to sit through. The constant ribbing of the movie by the MST3K version does make the movie watchable - barely.

wes-connors A groovy California partying crowd led by Beau Bridges (as Fred) crashes their car in a rainstorm. They turn up the radio, drink beer, and dance in the downpour. Then, they walk to nearby "Hainesville" for kicks. In the small town (containing no parents), Tommy Kirk (as Mike) is smooching with his girlfriend while her little brother Ronny Howard (as Genius) works in the basement accidentally mixing a "Goo" which makes you grow BIG. The family cat gets into the "Goo" and grows.Then, they give it to a couple of ducks, who become giant ducks, and quack up the local dance club...Meanwhile, Mr. Bridges' gang from the opening scene has arrived in time for a feast of giant duck meat. Then, they eat "Goo" and pop out of their clothes. Setting up shop in the local theater, Bridges and the gang decide to take over the town and make Mr. Kirk, his gum-chewing ex-"Mouseketeer" pal Johnny Crawford (as Horsey) and their friends servants. Kirk must save the town from the giant youth. Up for the task, Kirk turns out to be a resourceful and determined leader.The songs are pleasantly representative of the recording artists. Freddy Cannon ("Little Bitty Corrine") and Mike Clifford ("Marianne") were at the end of their record careers. The Beau Brummels ("Woman" / "When it Comes to Your Love") were very popular in 1965, but none of the soundtrack songs hit. There were singers in the cast who do not perform; the biggest hits of two - Johnny Crawford with "Cindy's Birthday" (1962) and Toni Basil with "Mickey" (1982) - span 20 years."Village of the Giants" easily qualifies as "so bad it's good," and you may want to see it again immediately.Obviously a youth exploitation film for the time, it's like a Disney film with a dose of sex appeal. Everyone looks good, with bosomy Joy Harmon (as Merrie) most prominently going to the head of the pack; representative of cheap sexploitation is the scene with Mr. Crawford hanging onto her giant breasts. Most in the cast have family members who are also known; most recognizable (in my viewing) were Mickey's son Tim Rooney (as Pete) and Ryan's brother Kevin O'Neil (as Harry).***** Village of the Giants (10/20/65) Bert I. Gordon ~ Tommy Kirk, Beau Bridges, Johnny Crawford, Ron Howard

Sebastian1966 Where to begin? Okay, first off...it's obvious director Bert I. Gordon has a severe macrophilia fetish. Accepted. And what at times seems like one of those innocent,'60s Disney family comedies (little Ronnie Howard concocting strange potions) gets strangely 'adult' for a family flick (Joy Harmon's growing breasts bursting open her sweater, giant teens gyrating ENDLESSLY in slow motion). Practically jump-starts young boys into puberty! With giant ducks, house pets and spiders, this (VEEERRRRYYY)loose adaptation of H.G. Wells' FOOD OF THE GODS seems aimed for the 'atomic monster/make-out movie' drive-in crowd. However, in this era of multiplexes and make-it/break-it opening weekends, it would be straight-to-DVD! There is no story logic to speak of; objects frequently change scale, giants seemingly enter/exit 'normal' sized doorways, dance music 'spontaneously' occurs, etc. Gordon seems to invest the most effort to the seemingly infinite go-go dancing sequences and the teen growth scene where clothes rip/break off (kind of risqué for 1965--and in a family film to boot!). His camera practically ogles the 'giant' girls in an uncomfortable, perv-cam way. It's a creepy (yet strangely innocent and retarded) little movie at times! It tries to be a comedy (midget/breast size jokes...H.G. Wells would not be amused!), but the "jokes" hit with a dull plop. Thankfully, Ron(nie) Howard would put this mess behind him and go on to become an A-list director/producer. Other than Howard and Beau Bridges(call it a youthful indiscretion), it seems as if the largely no-talent cast disappeared into obscurity. Probably for the best! Worth watching only if you can catch the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version. A VAST improvement. One can only really laugh at(not with) the film and even that requires assistance!

StuOz A group of teenagers become giant sized.Before this film, we had other "giant movies", such as The Incredible Shrinking Man, but a recent YouTube viewing of Village Of The Giants has made me wonder if "Village" is the best of the lot. It has a sense of B-Grade fun that is hard to capture on film...without looking too stupid that is. The dance scene alone, with the little boy grabbing the giant girl, makes the film a winner. And note the music for the dance scene.Story elements, character names (Genius) and Ron Howard were all shifted into a Land Of The Giants (1968,ABC) episode called...Genius At Work.Attention Hollywood: Don't remake this film today, "Village" is a product of the 1960s, it is about the 1960s mentality and 1960s music!The film is a wonderfully casted and wonderfully scored knockout!