First and foremost, I simply must start with the blunt but unmistakably clear statement that "The Flesh Eaters" is an awesome, awesome film! I read quite of harshly negative and even downright nasty reviews around here, and although I do respect everyone's opinion, I honestly think you don't have a heart for horror in case you dislike this!
Certain horror films from the sixties, even those NOT directed by Hershell Gordon-Lewis, can be surprisingly raw and explicit in terms of depicting gore, feminism, and taboo subjects. For a 1961 film (although only released in 1964) "The Flesh Eaters" features surprisingly many moments with shocking gore, strong & independent female characters not afraid to show a bit of bare flesh, and the first ever - at least to my knowledge - "Nazisploitation" footage.
An unlucky pilot, together with an alcoholic actress and her secretary, is forced to make an emergency landing on a small island due to a storm. It's not entirely uninhabited, though, as they meet up with the mysterious marine biologist Peter Bartell, with a thick German accent. Bartell is clearly working on unfinished Nazi business, as we already witnessed during the delicious opening sequence how a young couple got "dissolved" following an attack by oddly glowing sea-creatures.
Many things don't make a lick of sense, like someone arriving on a raft out of nowhere or tropical hurricanes being unable to even blow away a tent, but what does it matter - seriously - when in exchange you get to see people disintegrate into skeletons before your eyes, or a stunning unknown actress like Rita Morley spontaneously rip her blouse open to bandage her wounded friend? And the enormous monster emerging from the sea at the end, well, that one earns a spot in the list of craziest horror creations ever!
