A visually striking film that, whilst no classic remains a somewhat lost gem for 70's horror fanatics. Perhaps because of the slightly deranged but memorable appearance of Pete Cushing or the rather too brief cameo from John Carradine. More likely though, this films cult status is down to it's completely far fetched idea of an unstoppable race of Nazi zombie stormtroopers living under water. Though the ridiculous sub genre of truly unwatchable Nazi horror films of the time was never going to be the most popular of cinematic avenues, Shock Waves is a much more subtle and subdued affair than one might expect. Relying almost entirely on creepy lingering camera work and a frankly quite unnerving synth score, if it weren't for the atmosphere this film creates it could probably pass for a PG certificate these days.
Director Ken Wiederhorn displays some promising touches here, but after a brief fifteen minutes of fame with The Eyes Of A Stranger he vanished into obscurity with bottom of the barrel trash such as Return Of The Living Dead 2. It seems a shame though as this underwater zombie idea idea contains the potent atmosphere and colourful visuals that nightmares are made of, and whilst it's all in rather bad taste, Wiederhorn treats the subject matter with a almost haunting subtlety. Given the fairly predictable storyline of a group of shipwrecked and stranded twenty somethings being hunted down by the SS undead (and given the fact that the opening credits have already told us who the sole survivor is!)the cast do a fairly good job here, especially Brooke Adams as the leading lady. A lot of the editing is a bit choppy and any form of character development plays second fiddle to the inevitable zombie attack, which, when it finally kicks in isn't anywhere near as menacing as the build up perhaps leads you to believe it will be. However, what Shock Waves does so poetically prove is how in some occasions gore and excessive bloodshed really aren't always necessary. And this is one film that almost works better without any violence.
Shock Waves is an interesting, flawed but genuinely creepy little film that remains virtually unknown. Blue Undergrounds DVD claims the original negative was lost some twenty odd years ago but their 2007 release is a restored special edition. Unfortunately it still looks very grainy and does the soundtrack no favours at all.
Perhaps it never looked pristine to begin with. However, what this DVD edition does present us with is a nice little Directors commentary and a short but sweet interview with star Luke Halpin. (Who has fond memories of the film and strangely looks almost exactly the same now as he did then. Mullet and moustache intact)
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