Up From The Depths Reviews | The Deadly Mantis (1957)

[@UpFromTheDepths88]

Kamacuras vs. The Deadly Mantis. Go!

[@voltagetheshocker6606]

Up From The Depths Kamacuras wins. From what I remember, he has more intelligence. The Deadly Mantis is, by all means, just a mantis. And also, is Kamacuras technically bigger?

[@depressedgojisaurusrexandc5372]

Gimantis easily

[@robotmastermind2490]

Kamacuras, he’s got a squad

[@yemmel9761]

I’d bet on minilla

[@daviddgodzillavidoesandrea3992]

I was ganna say camacuras vs deadly mantis

[@SaurianStudios1207]

I’ve never heard of this movie, but from the looks, it’s the closest thing there is to a kamacuras solo movie

[@depressedgojisaurusrexandc5372]

True

[@D.Z.A.-kp8lf]

This movie is really good if you love 1950s Sci-Fi movies give it a chance you'll like it

[@mczilla8628]

I agree with THE D.Z.A. awesome big bug movie!

[@ScreamingScallop]

Poster: Monster bug destroys major metropolitan city!! Film: Monster bug wrecks bus, climbs on landmark, gets hurt, hides in tunnel.

[@joegrizzly1327]

Loved this movie as a kid and just picked it up a few months ago on Blu Ray and it still holds up right along with THEM!

[@scado5679]

Mantises are incredibly cool insects. Their speed and eerie focus makes them one of the more capable insect predators, especially when combined with their jagged claws. However, this film leaves out almost all of that, only including the part with the jagged claws (which it doesn't use to their full rending potential) and choosing instead to make an incredibly slow monster. As a huge fan of mantises and someone who really would love a solo movie based around a killer (or deadly) mantis, this movie sadly disappoints me due to it completely missing the mark of a true mantis. If you (like me) want some decent mantises, watch Son Of Godzilla-the effects used for Kamacuras are way better.

[@austintrousdale2397]

That roar doesn’t help, either! 😆

[@angryboi595]

Same, kamacuras was may more accurate even the final wars version was accurate in how hecking fast they are

[@MinecraftWorld1954]

Hell, the brief scenes with Kamakuras in Final Wars are much more fun than this

[@Studycase3000]

I Love your channel more with each upload. You brought me back again today to a movie that I have NOT seen since I was a child. I had forgotten this one but seeing this did stir up a fond memory from several decades ago. Thank you XD

[@Layne618]

I have a lot of affection for this movie, even if it is pretty standard. When I was a little kid, I read the Crestwood House monster book on the movie and made it seem so much better than it actually was. I didn't actually see it until I was in my early teens, when it played on one of AMC's MonsterFest marathons, and I enjoyed it then as well. Now, I can see how it's nothing that special in general, but I'll always have a special place in my heart for this flick. By the way, I'm surprised you skipped over Them! in this series of reviews.

[@scado5679]

He didn't skip over it, he's just going to do it later. Be patient!

[@ShinGoji1987Official]

Nice! The American Kamacarus! Still have yet to see the whole film though! xD

[@TheJKCrawford]

HOWEVER, from a military technical history The Deadly Mantis is THE most realistic depiction of how the US armed forces would have fought a super giant insect in the 1950s. Hear me out: The film starts out with the best short explanation of the construction of the US perimeter radars facing north towards the Soviet Union. For people with any interest in the integration of the military into American society during the Cold War, this (plus the subsequent demonstration of the civilian Ground Observer Corps) is a great short explanation of part of it. The limitations of radar in the 1950s is also well shown by the spotty tracking and the difficulty of making positive identification. Once positive identification is made though, the Mantis is shown being attacked by Navy Panther (and possibly Banshee) fighters which are shown using unguided 5-in rockets. Given the fact that the military would have already assessed the animal as being resistant to machine gun and light Cannon fire, this is exactly the procedure that would have been used. Furthermore, the inability of a 5-in rocket to be accurately fired against a large airborne monster is completely realistic because of the animals wings which are creating random downdrafts behind it. Subsequent attacks by air Force interceptors using 2.75-in FFARs (folding fin aerial rockets) is also realistically depicted, especially given the fact that those rockets had a poor reputation for accuracy (look up the Battle of Palmdale). Finally, the limitations of the fixed anti-aircraft gun emplacements and their inherent limited damage ability against an animal whose proportions and size alone would dictate that its exoskeleton is comparable in strength to spider silk. Indeed, it is that inherent physical strength which demonstrates the realism of showing that only a mid-air collision with a jet fighter would cause enough damage to bring the mantis down. So, in short, the battle sequences against the giant insect seem outstandingly accurate for what is otherwise an average GIFFF (Giant Insect Fear Film of the Fifties)!

[@gojira387]

That's actually a very cool & interesting way to look at the film. I've always thought the mini-documentary segments of the film were unintentionally the most interesting parts, from a historical perspective if nothing else.

[@scado5679]

Now if only the film expanded on that, and didn't spend most of its time with an immobile insect who basically does nothing

[@TheMrSarcastic]

Thanks for the insights. The writers here seemed to understand the limitations of the then current military technology, which enhanced the threat. Despite the troupes that started with these movies (Them! being the best of the genre) when they first started rolling out these films, they tried their best to play it straight - the physics of giant insects be damned - which I preferred to later offerings.

[@robotmastermind2490]

Ya know what I want, a Destroy All Monsters remake with all the stand alone monsters you’ve covered. One can dream

[@francescob.7277]

I love so much this channel!

[@joeysumner1856]

Wasn't there a episode of The Magic School Bus that had Miss Frizzell and the Kids watching a movie that had a Giant Praying Mantis? Also Goosebumps has a Giant Praying Mantis.

[@robgrimm9004]

Something I noticed...the sound effect for the Mantis roar is the exact same one used in The Munsters for their "pet" Spot. Anyone else agree?

[@andrewtaylor940]

I always liked this one as a kid. Although on later rewatches as an adult the flaws stand out. Especially the unsatisfying ending. But the Mantis itself remains a cool monster. This is vintage Hollywood B movie schlock, with no possibility or hope of rising above that the way others such as Then and Tarantula do.

[@D.Z.A.-kp8lf]

This is one of my favorite 1950s Sci-Fi movies I own this on DVD I never get tired of looking at it I think I look at it at least three times a year 😆😆😆🤪🤪

[@OMAHA16]

You have to review "The Black Scorpion" Next. Your going to love it.

[@cassie6146]

You have not known fear until one of these gets into your house in the middle of the night and you have to try and get it off of the ceiling before it takes flight.

[@MadotsukiGaming]

I truthfully didn't mind this film, I remember watching this awhile back

[@Hewylewis]

I love the stock dinosaur roar for the mantis.

[@OtakuHanzo]

My actual father showed me a clip from this when I was four thus sparking my love for all things kaiju. For that reason alone I will always have a place in my heart for this movie.

[@59rlmccormack]

I’ll never forget this!

[@Irrelevant402]

@1:01 Speaking of Giant Claw...

[@bonehead2768]

I love ALL of those " Big Bug" movies from the '50's.good fun & enjoyment.

[@Red-fu4li]

I remembering reading all about this movie from a Library book I’d borrow often. Not sure why it interested me so much but I’m glad to finally see a full review of the movie

[@Deadpunk271]

The first time I remember hearing of this film was in an old monster library book called the Deadly Mantis. I do love this movie despite it's flaws.

[@ggrarl]

It's definitely better to watch the MST3K version of this film. It's the first episode where Mike blows up a planet. "I've got a mantis in my pantis."

[@ryanb45]

One of my favourite episodes of The Magic School Bus pays tribute to this film

[@CanalDemonLord]

I love the Mantis roar, it became a stock roar years after.

[@MrKaiju-sr8wu]

I do like that they made the mantis inherently more monstrouse than they actually are, makes me interested in seeing what an updated design would look like

[@mgkiryuu]

Does anyone else not notice this thing does not have antenna? I mean...were they go lol. Never noticed it myself until many years later.

[@wimvanderstraeten6521]

"Giant claw"? That reminds me of another movie.

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

Looked like a battleship to me.

[@Gappasaurus]

@Andrew Gwilliam A giant flying battleship? 😄

[@MercuryKnight5]

Hey, at least it's better than 'The Giant Claw'.

[@DLRX]

But isn't The Giant Claw so bad it's entertaining? Deadly Mantis is just kind of boring, but I'm only giving my opinion.

[@depressedgojisaurusrexandc5372]

True

[@yemmel9761]

I can beg to differ at least i can have some laughs in that moviie here i would have tears

[@Gappasaurus]

It’s not as big as a battleship tho 😄

[@yemmel9761]

Gappasaurus yep

[@oldiesfreek]

Watched this back in the 60s...

[@jacksonknightproductions8697]

Ive always wanted to see this film.

[@swancman]

I only heard about this because I bought a poster for the movie for my Ground Observer Corps collection. The GOC plays a role in the movie reporting sightings of the mantis.

[@bunkerzero]

The Giant Mantis, this was my first MST3K movie lol!

[@zachary5845]

Any chance of an OG Mighty Jo Young review?

[@simonhassnilsson7009]

honestly...i love this film, it's kinda by the numbers sure, but i actually find it to be pretty dang decent for what it is, and scenes such as the mantis attacking the bus while emerging roaring out of the fog are honestly kinda terrifying, and the scenes with the mantis flying through the city and through the clouds and fog are really well done, not to mention that puppet or animatronic is really impressive and imposing in my humble opinion, as for the roar, well i am a sucker for those stock monster roars, like this one, the t-rex from Land Unknown and where ever the roar used for obsidius came from in Godzilla unleashed, overall once again i love this movie, it's a 50's giant monster movie and it's not trying to be anything it's not

[@travisbicklejr]

Would you consider doing Stop-motion classics like Clash of the Titan and Jason and the Argonauts?

[@kaiju115]

Aside from Kamacuras we need more Giant Mantis’s

[@nickmitsialis]

Hell, normal sized mantises are pretty interesting too.

[@rickyrackey7930]

Spore Mantis

[@thehollowseance]

Have you done a review on "them"

[@scado5679]

He's mentioned it in two videos now, it's only a matter of time. Have patience!

[@thehollowseance]

@@scado5679 I love these big bug reviews and I think them was one of the best ones out there

[@scado5679]

@@thehollowseance I completely agree, the whole prospect of it is amazing

[@matluc_productions4031]

Good video! Hope you cover the Black Scorpion!

[@BaldPerspective]

Love your channel, Brandon & hope you're doing well!!

[@allsportnj]

I think this might be the first time I disagree with a rating that was given. This is easily one of my top 3 or 4 creature features of the 50's. :)

[@dr.samuelhayden808]

Agreed

[@TheDoorman55]

Another one from my Saturday mornings lying on the floor in front of the TV watching Sunrise Theater. Now I know why I probably wear glasses.

[@Irrelevant402]

Even as a little kid I thought this movie was just 'okay' much as I love praying mantis and think they make cool monsters.

[@scado5679]

Mantises are amazing! An underrated type of insect if there ever was one.

[@Irrelevant402]

@@scado5679 Really? I thought most people found them awesome. Even my grandma got excited when she saw one just outside her door a few weeks ago and worked to make sure it was okay.

[@scado5679]

@@Irrelevant402 glad to see that multiple generations love the mantis :)

[@chip5541]

On the plus side, growing up in the 70s and buying comics, there was ads for movie monsters like the glow in the dark Frankenstein. One was my favorite was the deadly mantis in the tunnel.

[@robgrimm9004]

I remember this on Shock Theatre out of Battle Creek when I was a kid. Classic bad bug movie! Please do Valley of Gwangi. It's such a unique and genre-blending film and deserves attention.

[@VonWenk]

Is it genre-bending, or King Kong as a Western? Still a good movie though?

[@thespinodino]

Everyone in the comments is talking more about Kamacuras than the actual movie, and I’m here for it!

[@jacobdodd9065]

One episode of The Magic School Bus parodied the movie.

[@MGWFilms97]

Yay!

[@tskmaster3837]

One major flaw of this movie is that it's in black and white as the Claw they found was said in the movie to be bright green. It was said once, just once and it's kind of important. But then it raises the question of how they keep losing a bright green giant thing in a blizzard and then a city and then a fog and then a tunnel....

[@burlcopeland4754]

Don't matter what he say,as a kid I was terrified of this movie!

[@Chesterzoo7cp]

So THIS is the movie. I remember my dad having watched it when I was a little kid and a couple years ago I wanted to find out what it was. Couldn’t find it. Thank you

[@walterfechter8080]

Always keep a B.A.R. and a flamethrower handy whenever you visit The Arctic.

[@Rinesmyth]

Man you've got to do one on *THEM*

[@doom7ish]

I got the feeling when you where going to upload The Deadly Mantis.

[@depressedgojisaurusrexandc5372]

Inspiration for Kamacuras?

[@glitterboy2098]

one of the first giant monster films i ever saw.

[@themediaangel7413]

The only reason I know about this film is because it was parodied in The Magic School Bus.

[@brianlawton8172]

Wow you pretty much nailed this in every direction and you’re particularly right about the film being giant monster devotees only. Padded with more military footage than any two monster movies this Johnny come lately comes across as a bland entry but I still find myself compelled to watch time and time again. There are little things like the mantis attack on the bus and the tunnel finale that still manages a certain charm of what the film could’ve been even with it’s flaws (like the mantis emitting the a “gill man” squeal at one point of attack) and feeling like a Universal rip of toho’s “rodan” during it’s flying sequences l still have a spot for this one. Another awesome review. Note film’s open narration is often given credit to Paul frees when in fact it’s voice actor Marvin Miller of Robby the robot fame but Paul did do front narration for universal ‘s “the monolith monsters”

[@JavedKhan-lu6po]

Hey uhm Up From The Depths is it ok if you do Eight Legged Freaks and Q The Winged Serpent please!.

[@snbsixteen6stars201]

this needed more stop-motion or more live-action mantis

[@1nelsondj]

I've seen this one several times, it's include in "The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection Volume 2" set along with 4 other films. Older viewers know William Hopper well from the "Perry Mason" TV series where he played private detective Paul Drake.

[@VonWenk]

I think The Deadly Mantis was released the same year both Perry Mason and Peter Gunn debuted.

[@leavingisbadliving3553]

And you thought that Antz's Giant Mantis was scary.

[@JeremySins91]

As an Entomologist, my biggest flaw with this movie is the fact is the Mantis doesn't have mandibles, and has a mouth like a dinosaur. Even as a kid that shit bothered me

[@Jormyyy]

I knew there was something off about the mantis!

[@Sauron_the_Alien]

Deadly mantis vs giant claw! Nice!

[@ethenallen1388]

Have you reviewed Them yet?

[@anthonyhudak9363]

Can you cover The Monster That Challenged the World and The Black Scorpion soon?

[@nowherebound2908]

Hey, eight-year-old me thought this movie was a classic! ;-) I probably didn't follow the plot much, admittedly. Anyway, I remember thinking the sound and look of the flying mantis was awesome! You're right, the model looked pretty cool!

[@gabrielwebster7902]

I watched this movie on an episode of Svengoolie when I was like 6

[@Telcontar86]

I'm quite familiar with this film due to the MST3k episode. I'd recommend watching it there after watching it unriffed.

[@Drforrester31]

A hidden gem episode for sure. Don't hear it get mentioned a lot in top 10 lists

[@kevinmilner2916]

The mst3k episode of the deadly mantis is probably the funniest episode

[@ИльяМилягин]

Can you make a review on Them!?

[@deanwirth3627]

I love this movie, I think it works and the effects are good

[@sonofmovienerdking7230]

Someone from Toho must've been a fan of this film, otherwise we might've never got Kamacuras.

[@dskit7339]

You must review “The Monster That Challenged The World”. This is either the worst 1950’s giant monster movie ever made of the most brilliant work of satire of the genre. I’m not sure which but I lean to deliberate satire that went past everyone. A giant snail terrorizes the Salton Sea - what’s not to like?

[@VonWenk]

I love the climax to that movie, with Tim Holt facing off against the monster in the lab with a fire extinguisher.

[@beverlydixon5921]

I love these old horror movie...

[@vapidvices8982]

Please review Q The Winged Serpent!

[@josephguerra703]

I saw this movie when I was a boy....never..never forgot it..now I'm 57

[@cruzeal9334]

i like your vids before even watching them

[@anythingbagel6948]

Ooooo I hope you review The Monster that Challenged the World

[@HCDewar]

Should've went all out with extra model sets and more shots with the real mantis.

[@Studycase3000]

Is there a streaming service that has All or near to the movies you review? I would love to have access to a library of my old Creature Double Feature childhood days.

[@bonehead2768]

Google them.type in name, get the year and go to videos.scroll,then select the whole movie and watch. It's easy.

[@bentramer682]

At the North Pole a creature known as Santa Claus burrows it's way up from the ice, and begins to make it's way across land. - Tom Servo

[@andrewparsons2391]

Deep in the frosting mines of Canada, the slaves of Becky Crocker toil away

[@bobbenson6825]

Since you did The Mysterians, will you also do a review of Kronos? For such a low budget movie as it is, it has its moments.

[@chuckcookus]

The two most off-the-wall 50s giant monster movies were Kronos (a giant box) and Monolith Monsters (giant rocks).

[@TheRealNormanBates]

3:22 not Dr. Ted Nelson? I’m sorry... did you not hear? It’s Dr. Ted Nelson! _TED NELSON!_

[@Kaiju_King944]

Think we can see a review of the monster that challenged the world

[@bgaesop]

Do a review of The Giant Claw!

[@garyreid6165]

I saw a super 8 film version of this before I saw it on television. As a little kid, the padding didn’t bother me because I decided to be patient. The human characters were bland. They were simply by the numbers. William Hopper’s Ned Jackson character was probably the one that I paid close attention to. The giant Praying Mantis was the most detailed. Like Tarantula, a really Praying Mantis was used but only briefly. The scene where the creature is in The Lincoln Tunnel was a bit too short, even with the soldiers shooting at it. William Lava composed the music for the Mantis’ night time attack on the base. Nathan Juran(aka Nathan Hertz) directed films like The Brain From Planet Arous and the classic Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman. This review was fair and to the point. If a person new to this genre were to watch it and others like it, it would probably turn them off. But I grew up watching these movies and I didn’t expect much except to see a monster on the loose.

[@mczilla8628]

Great big bug movie when the mantis attacks the base and the scenes in the fog are some of the best in 50s sci fi! The cast is good just my opinion, but who cares we all just want to see giant monsters destroying well anything!!!

[@ELOrocks189]

This movie got the MST3K treatment with hilarious results

[@oluhamilton2121]

Who knew a MANTIS could roar??

[@brycevo]

It's Schlocky, but hey, it's alright

[@ianseverns2077]

Oddly this is one of my favorite black and white monster movies second only to Them

[@Gappasaurus]

Not the worst giant bug movie, definitely better than “Beginning of the End” or “Monster from Green Hell” 🤔 One of my favorite MST3K episodes tho 😄

[@thrashpondopons2776]

Think I liked this one as a kid because I thought mantises were cool as a child! (Just like there was no such thing as a bad Dinosaur movie!)

[@toonbat]

Waittaminute... That roar.... *googles a bit* Ah, of course. It's also used for the shark on Jaws 4!

[@adlfcSHQ]

Hey I never knew Kamacuras had its own movie

[@smithwesson1896]

Geez could they have at least used the chirping sounds from Them! And The Black Scorpion for the mantis instead of that stock monster roar?