David Cronenberg Month: The Brood (1979) Review by: Ted "Ritualistic" Brown

A man's wife is under the care of a strange and unconventional psychologist who uses innovative and theatrical techniques to breach the psychological blocks in his patients. When their daughter comes back from a visit with her mother and is covered with bruises and welts, the father attempts to bar his wife from seeing the daughter but faces opposition from the mysterious psychologist. After the wife's mother and father are attacked by perplexingly deformed children, and the man begins to suspect a connection with the psychologist's methods in David Cronenberg's 1979 horror masterpiece "The Brood".

When you combine the likes of David Cronenberg and Oliver Reed you just know the end product is going to be nothing short of phenomenal. With some of the strongest acting in the history of horror, a truly original and disturbing story, and some ultra impressive practical effects "The Brood" is a true innovation for the horror genre that should be viewed by anyone who considers themselves to be a true horror fan.



 
Oliver reed is amazing in this film, a true a game performance from the horror veteran, portraying the ultra bizarre psychologist Dr. Hal Raglan. The remarkable acting from Mr. Reed combined with the astonishing execution of Samantha Eggar with her role as Nola Carveth will leave your speechless. It really makes you realize that they just don't make horror legends like they use too after your exposed to such high quality acting like you find in much of the golden age of horror.



 
The storyline is both unique and genuinely creepy, well written, perfectly directed and edited faultlessly "The Brood" deserves to be forever known as a horror classic to be viewed by future generations of genre fans who want to know how the craft evolved over the various eras of its existence, and what films helped pave horror's blood soaked and entrails littered path.

It's hard to believe this film was made in the late 70's between the use of children and the immense amounts of shocking gore by the era's standards. It's hard to go into detail further on this without spoiling a key moment in the film so I will just say you gore hounds will not be disappointed, although there are not a ton of gory scenes in this film the ones that are present fill the quota nicely.



 
"The Brood" has something for everything and is a perfect example of a horror film worthy of being called a classic. On Behalf of The Liberal Dead I give David Cronenberg's "The Brood" 10 out of 10.

10/10

- Ted "Ritualistic" Brown