The Astro-Zombies is a 1968 sci-fi horror film about a mad scientist who creates monsters from the body parts of murder victims. It has also been released as Space Zombies and The Space Vampires.
Written, directed, and produced by Ted V. Mikels (Ten Violent Women: Part Two; Paranormal Extremes: Text Messages from the Dead; Demon Haunt; Cauldron: Baptism of Blood; The Corpse Grinders 2; Dimension in Fear; Spooky World; Mission: Killfast; Angel of Vengeance; Ten Violent Women; The Doll Squad; Blood Orgy of the She-Devils; The Corpse Grinders; Girl in Gold Boots; The Black Klansman; One Shocking Moment; Doctor Sex; Strike Me Deadly).
The Ram Ltd production stars John Carradine, Wendell Corey (in his final film appearance) and Tura Satana.
Incredibly, despite this film’s infamous reputation as one of the worst of all time, Ted V. Mikels managed to churn out three belated sequels! They are Mark of the Astro-Zombies (2004), Astro Zombies: M3 – Cloned (2010) and Astro Zombies: M4 – Invaders from Cyberspace (2012). The sequels can be watched free online on the Kings of Horror YouTube channel.
Plot:
Disgruntled scientist Doctor DeMarco (John Carradine), having been fired by the space agency, decides to create superhuman monsters from the body parts of innocent murder victims. The creatures eventually escape and go on a killing spree, attracting the attention of both an international spy ring and the CIA.
The low budget movie has gained cult status along with many of Ted V. Mikels other works, inspiring him to write and direct a sequel. Mark of the Astro-Zombies was released direct-to-video in 2002 with Tura Satana reprising her role of Satana from the original film. A third—and last movie—was be released in 2010 called Astro Zombies M3: Cloned.
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Reviews:
“The (sorta) zombies certainly look unique, with their sport jackets and dime-store skull masks. And they are solar powered(!), which becomes evident in my favorite scene in the film, where one of the creatures runs off while holding a flashlight to his forehead after losing his battery pack in a scuffle. It could certainly have used a few more scenes of ridiculousness.” Movie Feast
“The trip getting there isn’t the easiest, but the payoff is wonderfully ‘68. I can’t explain the joy that the last bit of The Astro-Zombies brings me, but it is something like seeing those darn shrew dogs in The Killer Shrews.” Oh! the Horror
Variety wrote: “There’s almost nothing good to say for this horror scifier … The sci-fi aspects don’t enthrall and the thrill aspects don’t shock”. Film critic Leonard Maltin awarded the film the lowest possible rating of “Bomb”, calling it “yet another nominee for worst picture of all time”. On his website Fantastic Movie Musings and Ramblings, Dave Sindelar called the film “wretched”, criticizing the film’s messy plot and “talky/dull” scenes. TV Guide called the film “one of the all-time worst sci-fi pictures”
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