This film is an updated for the 1960s version of the traditional late 30s-40s mad scientist tale but one with the surprising addition of gore, used very effectively for the time. Martin Kosleck here provides the mad scientist, a Nazi stereotype not uncommon to earlier eras. The Flesh Eaters themselves make for a memorable menace and the early scene with the two swimmers is an excellent bit of film making. The gigantic ones and their showdown with the hero at the end requires much suspension of disbelief but the monsters are also quite nasty-looking which makes for fun viewing if you're into seeing giant monsters. The final showdown actually reminds me a little of the film KRONOS.

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!

Surprisingly effective low-budget horror film about a creep (Martin Kosleck) on an isolated island trying to replicate Nazi experiments with flesh-eating organisms. A pilot transporting an alcoholic actress and her assistant is forced to make an emergency landing on the island and business picks up from there. A good B horror flick with some nice cinematography and special effects that were gory for the time. Despite its budgetary limitations it's pretty neat. Most of the movie takes place in one location, on a beach. Several moments of unintended hilarity, such as Byron Sanders' character talking about his ex ("I actually loved that little tramp.") or every scene involving Ray Tudor's beatnik (I'm comin', my people, I'm comin'!"). Sexy Barbara Wilkin has a nice scene taking off her shirt to help bandage Sander's wound. Tame by today's standards of course. Martin Kosleck is good fun as the mad scientist and the rest of the cast is enjoyable enough. Worth a look even if it isn't going to change your life.