31 More Days of Horror: Shock Waves (1977)

During WWII, there was rumored to be a Nazi Death Corp. This unstoppable SS unit was the result of scientific experimentation. Though these monster troopers were never found or captured, the rumor lives on somewhere…

If you’re fortunate enough to have seen Shock Waves, a 70s camp classic, then you know the creep factor is top-notch. There’s something in the way these zombie like soldiers pop out of the water that makes your skin crawl. Though not crazed zombies, the uniformed freaks are eerily haunting. The melodramatic score really helps too.

Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin) stars in this out-of-print horror gem. As a reclusive Nazi Commander, Cushing is equal parts terror and sad. As their ‘keeper’, the commander warns the shipwrecked vacationers to leave the desolate island immediately. To stay means death. Ah, yes! The resort-ers throw caution to the wind and explore the island while in great peril.

Night doesn’t have to fall before these zombies come out of the water. All you have to do is splash. And these zombies—well, they aren’t really zombies. They’re not brain-obsessed creatures. These crazed goggle-wearing soldiers are the plotting, strong and silent type that just want to kill you—nothing more.

Shock Waves is low on gore and high on atmosphere. Cushing and John Carradine are real treats. Brooke Adams (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 1978) spends most of her time in a smokin’ hot yellow bikini and Luke Halpin isn’t bad either. For 70s low-budget horror, this one can’t be beat.