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Swamp Thing is a 1982 horror/ Science Fiction film written and directed by Wes Craven. It starred Louis Jourdan, Adrienne Barbeau and Ray Wise as the scientist who was transformed into a monster (Swamp Thing) by a laboratory accident. The film was based on the DC Comics character of the same name by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. A latecoming, low-budget sequel entitled The Return of Swamp Thing appeared in 1989.
Author John Kenneth Muir notes that Swamp Thing differs in many respects from Craven's usual work. Intending to show the major Hollywood studios that he could handle action, stunts and major stars, Craven substituted his usual focus on the problems of the family and society for pure entertainment. Nevertheless, Muir points out, some of Craven's usual themes and images do appear in Swamp Thing. For example, as in The Last House on the Left (1972), and The Hills Have Eyes (1977), Craven shows a close connection between the landscape and his characters. Filming occurred primarily on location in Charleston, South Carolina, and nearby Johns Island, South Carolina.
There are two cuts of the film in circulation. A European cut, and a United States cut. The European cut included a topless bathing scene with Adrienne Barbeau and later on in the film one of the Arcane henchmen is seen galavanting with some topless women. MGM, the company that released the film on DVD, marketed the disc erroneously. The initial Region 1 release was actually the Euro cut, but had a PG rating. The film was later recalled when a mother rented the film for her son and saw the nudity, thus prompting her to complain to MGM. The PG-rated U.S. cut is now the only version of the film currently available in U.S. retail stores.
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