More werewolf action from the ever-prolific Paul Naschy, this one takes place in the Himalayas and has Naschy doing battle with some evil cannibal chicks and a cruel band of outlaws who live in the hills and enjoy torturing any would-be prisoners they happen to come across! While it's not up to the standard of earlier Naschy films I enjoyed like WEREWOLF SHADOW and CURSE OF THE DEVIL, this film still has plenty going for it, including a fast pace and lots and lots of mindless violence and action to keep things moving along nicely. All of the elements required to enjoy a cheesy B-movie are present and correct and there's even more sex and violence than ever before. Naschy gets the chance to insert some really sleazy moments of lust and torture into the brew, elements which caused this film to be banned when the Video Recordings Act came into play in the UK the early '80s.
While the plot might be similar to earlier Naschy werewolf flicks the transposition of the action from some European locale to the snowy mountains is a clever one which makes this film interesting to watch and sets it apart from the rest. Despite the dingy print which was released in Europe, this film still manages to build up some suspense and feeling of isolation in the snow-enshrouded icy wastes. Those expecting a lot of Yeti action will be disappointed though, as the title is a bit of a cheat; the Yeti only turns up in the first few opening/closing moments of the film. For the most part it's typical fun with shoot-outs, attempted rape, multiple fights, and torture keeping things moving along at a pace which prevents boredom setting in. The film also manages to be frequently exciting, especially in a few of the climatic fight scenes between Naschy and the bald-headed creeps who live in the mountains. Naschy is very active in this film too, jumping all over the place as he leaps on his victims.
The acting is typically serviceable, and unfortunately Naschy is given little to do other than go through the paces here; there's nothing in his performance which he hasn't seen in other films. However some of the cast do well, especially the villainous baddies and Silvia Solar, who is pretty good as a ruthlessly wicked sorceress who gets off on torturing innocent girls. The gore is all right but spoiled by the darkness of the print; the only explicit moment comes where a girl has the skin cut off her back (for use as a treatment for the chief bandit's own skin problem!). Altogether, this is predictable Spanish fare, not particularly bad but not brilliant either. Watchable yes, unmissable, no.
While the plot might be similar to earlier Naschy werewolf flicks the transposition of the action from some European locale to the snowy mountains is a clever one which makes this film interesting to watch and sets it apart from the rest. Despite the dingy print which was released in Europe, this film still manages to build up some suspense and feeling of isolation in the snow-enshrouded icy wastes. Those expecting a lot of Yeti action will be disappointed though, as the title is a bit of a cheat; the Yeti only turns up in the first few opening/closing moments of the film. For the most part it's typical fun with shoot-outs, attempted rape, multiple fights, and torture keeping things moving along at a pace which prevents boredom setting in. The film also manages to be frequently exciting, especially in a few of the climatic fight scenes between Naschy and the bald-headed creeps who live in the mountains. Naschy is very active in this film too, jumping all over the place as he leaps on his victims.
The acting is typically serviceable, and unfortunately Naschy is given little to do other than go through the paces here; there's nothing in his performance which he hasn't seen in other films. However some of the cast do well, especially the villainous baddies and Silvia Solar, who is pretty good as a ruthlessly wicked sorceress who gets off on torturing innocent girls. The gore is all right but spoiled by the darkness of the print; the only explicit moment comes where a girl has the skin cut off her back (for use as a treatment for the chief bandit's own skin problem!). Altogether, this is predictable Spanish fare, not particularly bad but not brilliant either. Watchable yes, unmissable, no.