The Beast with a Million Eyes

Made for a paltry $23,000, this Roger Corman executive-produced allegory has been written off because of its peculiar premise and its bargain-basement effects. The prospect of watching birds and barnyard animals turning on humans at the behest of a malevolent alien force may, indeed, seem preposterous. As does the rationale that this evil entity can be tamed by folksy, white middle-American love. But the notion that we are being watched over by a potentially malicious presence (whether it be deity or authority) is actually rather provocative. Flawed, but laudably unconventional, this proved to be director David Karmansky's only film.