Skip to main content
Horror Cult Classic

A shipwrecked man stumbles into a mad scientist's beastly experiment on Blood Island.

TERROR IS A MAN

For People With NERVES Of Iron Only!

1959 · 1h 29m · NR · Horror / Romance / Science Fiction · IMDB TMDB

Shipwreck survivor William Fitzgerald is rescued by the mad doctor Charles Girard, who is attempting to surgically transform a panther into a man. Girard is assisted in his experiments by his sleazy sidekick Walter Perrera and his voluptuous, under-sexed wife Frances, who falls in love with Fitzgerald.

5,471 FilmsIn The Vault
Vault UpdatedDaily
Curated ByHumans
No AlgorithmBullsh*t
Quick Answer
What is Terror Is a Man about?

Terror Is a Man is a 1959 United States/Philippines horror, romance, and science fiction film directed by Gerardo de Leon about a shipwreck survivor who encounters a mad scientist transforming a panther into a man on a remote island.

Synopsis

William Fitzgerald (Richard Derr), the lone survivor of a shipwreck, washes ashore on Blood Island. He is found by Dr. Charles Girard (Francis Lederer), a scientist who has set up a laboratory on the isolated island with his disenchanted wife, Frances (Greta Thyssen), and his assistant Walter Perrera (Oscar Keesee). The island's natives fear Dr. Girard, as he has been experimenting on a panther, surgically changing it with a series of painful operations into a half-man/half-panther beast, which occasionally escapes from its cage and kills an unwary villager. The creature is swathed in bandages, but his cat-like eyes and ears are still evident. The creature is attracted to Frances, as she is the only person on the island who shows him pity.

As time passes on the island, Fitzgerald and Frances eventually fall in love, and she asks him to take her away. The creature manages to free itself once again, but Walter sets the beast on fire and is able to recapture the scorched monster. Later, the beast escapes again and goes on a rampage, killing Walter and a young servant girl named Selene, and abducting Frances, carrying her off into the jungle. With William and Charles in hot pursuit, the creature is eventually cornered on the edge of a cliff, where it manages to hurl the mad doctor to his death. Before the creature can turn on the others, it is shot several times by William. Fleeing towards the beach, the wounded creature is helped by a young native boy, Tiago (Selene's little brother), and the unconscious beast drifts out to sea in a small rowboat.
Details & Specs
Director
Gerardo de Leon
Writer
Paul Harber
Release
1959
Runtime
1h 29m
Country
United States of America, Philippines
Language
English
Also Known As
Blood Creature, Creature from Blood Island

Why Cult

Mad Science Horror

Watch Dr. Girard's unhinged quest to surgically turn a panther into a man, complete with a laboratory of questionable ethics and grisly results.

Island Monster Romance

A love triangle simmers between the castaways and the doctor's dissatisfied wife, all under the looming threat of a half-man, half-panther creature.

Blood Island Atmosphere

Set on the ominously named Blood Island, the film delivers isolated tropical terror and a superstitious local population.

Bandaged Beast-Man

The monster, swathed in bandages with feline eyes and ears, is both creepy and strangely sympathetic as he stalks the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Terror Is a Man about? +

Terror Is a Man follows shipwreck survivor William Fitzgerald as he becomes embroiled in Dr. Charles Girard's gruesome experiments to transform a panther into a man on Blood Island.

When was Terror Is a Man released? +

Terror Is a Man was released in 1959.

Who directed Terror Is a Man? +

Gerardo de Leon directed Terror Is a Man.

How long is Terror Is a Man? +

Terror Is a Man has a runtime of 89 minutes.

What genre is Terror Is a Man? +

Terror Is a Man is a horror, romance, and science fiction film.

Where can I watch Terror Is a Man? +

You can watch Terror Is a Man on SassyFlix.

Collection Spotlight

Terror From Beyond!

Why settle for a clean getaway when you can watch the whole thing explode? High-speed pursuits, blown escapes, and metal-crunching wreckage.

Explore Collection →