Film Review: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)

Success of a film often has little to do with its quality. This is especially the case with films that are deliberately made bad in order to exploit some sort of “trashy” appeal or in the hope that they would eventually gain something of a cult status. Or they give such an impression regardless of their makers’ original intention. One such example is Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! , a 1978 comedy by John De Bello.

As the title suggests, the plot deals with tomatoes that, for some inexplicable reason, developed a murderous instinct and taste for human flesh. What begins as a series of isolated incidents quickly develops into a national crisis, but the US President played by Ernie Meyers tries to avoid panic and sends his dedicated press secretary Jim Richardson played by George Wilson to calm the public with a clever PR campaign. In the meantime, top government scientists can’t find answers about what caused the phenomenon and how the killer tomatoes can be stopped. Instead, a group of top-secret intelligence operatives led by Mason Dixon played by David Miller is assembled and sent into the field to gather necessary information. They are followed by Lois Fairchild played by Sharon Taylor , a newspaper reporter determined to find the truth about what really goes on.

Made on a budget of $90,000, which was quite low even by 1970s standards, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! had its most expensive scene created by accident – a helicopter crash that was ingeniously written into the script. The special effects are bad and unconvincing, and the cast consists mostly of amateurs or actors who have remained completely unknown. Originally intended as a parody of 1950s and 1960s science fiction horror B-films, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! , like many uninspired parodies in Hollywood, chooses more contemporary targets for spoofing, which include Spielberg’s Jaws , the incompetent US government, the increasing importance of PR firms in political life and general economic woes in 1970s America. The quality of humour varies, with the best scenes and most effective lines of dialogue being featured in the first part, including a Monty Python-esque segment about gove…

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! didn’t have particularly impressive numbers at the box office, but it later became a huge hit on the emerging video market. This might be because its inherent badness worked better with audiences enjoying it during parties with beer, pizza, or some mind-altering substances. This success led to cult status and the creation of a franchise with three sequels and an animated series. On the other hand, for the audience who never knew nor cared about its reputation, this film can provide some entertainment, but only if they watch it just once.

RATING: 5/10 ++

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