“Food of the Gods,” a 1976 sci-fi horror film directed by Bert I. Gordon, explores the terrifying consequences of a mysterious substance that causes rapid growth in creatures. But What Is The Food Of The Gods in the context of this movie, and what makes it such a compelling, albeit campy, cinematic experience? The film, loosely based on H.G. Wells’ novel The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth, delivers a creature feature that has entertained audiences for decades with its over-sized monsters and B-movie charm.
The story centers around a strange, rare substance discovered on a secluded island. When an old woman feeds this substance to the local wildlife, the results are catastrophic. Animals and insects begin to grow to enormous sizes, turning into monstrous threats.
Killer Creatures Unleashed
The island quickly becomes a battleground as tourists, including a group of vacationing football players played by Marjoe Gortner and John Cypher, find themselves fighting for survival against gigantic flies, massive chickens, enormous wasps, and hordes of oversized rats. Ralph Meeker plays a key character, and Belinda Balaski portrays a pregnant woman in peril. Pamela Franklin also appears in what would be her last film role, though she continued working in television.
The special effects, while dated by today’s standards, were a hallmark of Bert I. Gordon’s filmmaking style. The movie employed a variety of techniques to bring its giant creatures to life, including optical illusions, oversized props, and even live animals.
The Making of a B-Movie Classic
Produced on a modest budget by Samuel Z. Arkoff, “Food of the Gods” became one of American International Pictures’ most successful films of the year. AIP, known for its monster movies and Roger Corman’s Edgar Allan Poe adaptations during the 60s and 70s, provided the perfect platform for Gordon’s creature-driven vision.
Bert I. Gordon: The Master of the Enormous
Bert I. Gordon, often referred to as Mr. B.I.G., was a prolific B-movie producer and director known for his films featuring animals and humans undergoing dramatic size transformations due to food or radioactivity. His filmography includes titles such as “The Cyclops,” where the protagonist becomes a giant human monster, “War of the Colossal Beast,” “Beginning of the End” featuring immense insects, “The Spider,” and “Empire of the Ants.”
Legacy and Sequel
“Food of the Gods” reflects the anxieties of its time, exploring the potential dangers of tampering with nature and the unintended consequences of scientific experimentation. Although the film received mixed reviews, it has garnered a cult following over the years due to its campy special effects and over-the-top monster action. The film was followed by a sequel, “Food of the Gods, Part 2” (1989), directed by Damian Lee, which brought back the giant rats to terrorize a new set of victims. In conclusion, what is the food of the gods is more than just a plot device. It symbolizes unchecked scientific ambition and the potential for ecological disaster. While the special effects may be dated, the film’s themes of environmental responsibility remain relevant today.
