#1970sFlashback #HorrorMovie - The Food of the Gods (1976)

Oh, God, help us. I won’t never sin again, never. Only don’t let no rats eat us. Please God. Mrs. Skinner

The Food of the Gods (1976) is an American International Pictures gem that I’m so thankful to the Scream Factory for bringing back into the light. It’s loosely based, and I mean loosely, on H.G. Wells’ novel The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth. It’s super tacky with giant animals, but that’s what I love the most about it.

The story itself focuses on Mother Nature getting revenge on humans for not taking care of the Earth. Of course, this is on a lot of people’s minds these days with Global Warming and Climate Change, the animals and insects growing to monstrous sizes are a little farfetched even with the effect being the best part of the film. That’s not the only thing that is nonsensical in this film as it seems that some of the backstory about the Skinners is missing.

There are some sweet camera angles in this one. I wish they weren’t overpowered by the attempt with the cheap gross-out shots. Elliot Kaplan’s musical score is mesmerizing, making the film better for being sighing in the background. I wish the sound effects were as delightful; I can’t imagine rats roaring like lions no matter their size.

Seeing this again many years after my first viewing, I wonder what the goo is that is flung on the rats when they are being shot. Whatever it is, they don’t like it on them. The puppet rats are cool and almost lifelike, adding a nice, early robotics flare to the scenery. The ending is one big eye roll, so be ready for it.

The Food of the Gods is a delight if you don’t think about it too much, and I give 3.5 out of 5 Ram Skulls.

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