Coast of Terror at Howling Video

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Coast of Terror

	Coast of Terror
	by Star Classics Sales Rank: 61837 Price: $9.99

Mel Gibson's film debut is a low-budget Australian beach movie with a heart of darkness (an alternate title is Coast of Terror). Set in the 1950s, the film follows the exploits of four youths on a holiday road trip that takes an ugly turn. The end product is a sort of Beach Blanket Bingo in hell. Panoramic Endless Summer-type shots of Mel and the boys hanging 10 and scenes of teens bopping at a rock & roll hop frame a plot involving statutory rape and murder. Gibson plays Scollop, the carefree, sweet one in the group. He's a genuine beach boy: blond and tan and obsessed with surfing. Sandy (John Jarratt), a dour fellow on a last fling before marriage, asks Scollop what he's going to be doing in 10 years' time. Scollop replies: "I'll be doing something in 10 years' time. So I guess in 10 years' time that's what I'll be doing." It's logic worthy of Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Scollop's twin in spirit. Gibson's ease in front of the camera and natural acting talent shine through even here. He brings his trademark breezy charm and a surprising emotional range to this beach bum role. It's no wonder that he went on to become an international superstar. --Laura Mirsky

Viewer Reviews
The main selling point of this DVD is that it stars Mel Gibson. This has to be one of Gibson's very first films - even before the ROAD WARRIOR movies. The shot of Gibson that is on the cover is dated much later than the young, skinny actor who appears in this movie. Also, Gibson only has a supporting role in the film. To surmise that he's the leading actor would be incorrect.

Not a whole lot happens with the plot, so they seemingly stretch just about every scene out to make it "feature length." They also throw in a lot of scenes apparently at random without any thought to story cohesion.

Of course, the film is also about as low budget as low-budget movies get. I swear at times I thought I was watching a film made by a bunch of high schoolers. The picture quality is pretty rough - even by 1970s standards.

The only people who just might like to pick up this DVD are die-hard Gibson fans. There are those who might enjoy seeing him in a movie filmed in his native Australia where he still has his thick native accent. So, with that in mind, there are perhaps some who might find some nostalgia in buying this one.

If Gibson had not starred in this movie, I very much doubt it would have ever made it to DVD in the 1st place. This is an obscure movie, and clearly there is a REASON it's obscure: it's dull, bland & boring!

Coast of Terror
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Last Modified : 1-6-2009