Cyclone

Cyclone (1978)

Runtime: I saw the English-language 118-minute version

Directed by: Rene Cardona, Jr.

Starring: Arthur Kennedy, Carroll Baker, Lionel Stander, Andreas Garcia, Hugo Stiglitz

From: CONACINE/Productora Filmica Real

Imagine Hitchcock’s Lifeboat if it had exploitation elements, such as sharks and a rather gross dog death.

Early in 2022 I purchased The Cardona Collection from Vinegar Syndrome; it was a trio of films from Mexican exploitation director Rene Cardona, Jr. For Spooky Season 2022 I reviewed The Bermuda Triangle, an amusing aquatic-based tale. As I’m me, it took two years for me to see the second film in that set. That is despite hearing about Cyclone from the Pure Cinema Podcast even before VS released The Cardona Collection.

To clarify, the disc has both an English-language and Spanish-language version; the disc said there’s differences between the two but heck if I know what they were. Regardless, the English cut was selected. A tourist boat, a fishing vessel, and a plane all go down via the titular event that suddenly changed course. Is it a spoiler to mention that all those survivors converge and that it becomes rather miserable the longer they are lost at sea? There’s a shark attack early on but yes they do eventually return. The film is 2 hours long and even by my standards, is leisurely-paced.

That said, the effects of the scenario are presented well; it is horrifying, a few rough choices are made & some characters become barbarians for the purpose of attempting to survive. The cast is better than expected. After all, there’s distinguished actors like Arthur Kennedy, Carroll Baker, & Lionel Stander. Kennedy was dubbed in the English-language cut—perhaps this indicated his opinion of the production but it’s possible his health was the reason for that. In any regard, many will be amused that this features TWO actors from Fulci’s Zombie: Olga Karalatos and Stefania D’Amario. As it’s a Cardona picture, OF COURSE Hugo Stiglitz is involved.

The movie won’t be to everyone’s tastes; if you can accept the slow stretches, the wild ending is worth the wait. Something I’m predisposed to enjoying was the Riz Ortolani score; the title track is quite a bit incredible, to be frank. It includes a slapping bass line, which will always tickle my fancy. Maybe it will for you also.