Not often, but sometimes, there is someone out there with the gift of extreme foresight. They are able to determine the direction that science is heading and they create something that is total science fiction, which feels absolutely fantastic and impossible – until it’s actually on the news.

In the 1970s, few people, outside the most avid science readers and imaginative minds, knew what a clone was; fewer still thought it was even possible to manufacture one. Years later, in 1997, Dolly the sheep was all over the news, and the moral implications that only the most forward thinking people were fathoming twenty years prior were now making headlines. Today, several countries and scientists have claimed to have successfully cloned human beings, but none of these cases have ever been publicly proven. 

Parts: The Clonus Horror is a low-budget thriller that offers up the idea that, somewhere in California, there is a secret facility called Clonus, which harvests clones of powerful political figures. These clones go through a physical strengthening program, promising them access to an idyllic land called America when they are rightfully prepared. Instead, when they reach their physical goal, the clones are placed in suspended animation until the one who has been cloned needs an organ transplant of some kind. In 2006, this seems a hell of a lot less unlikely than it must have in 1979.

While all of these clones are typically dumbed down and raised independently outside of society, some clones do develop a questioning level of intelligence. One such clone, Richard (Tim Donnelly), manages to escape from the Clonus facility into the real America, which, as we know, is not the idyllic world that he was led to believe.

All science fiction, no matter how outrageous, always works best when similarities and parallels can be drawn to humanity. In this regard, Parts: The Clonus Horror is probably infinitely more effective today than it was in 1979, since the subject matter is so much closer to home and completely plausible. The script is very effective and, while the film starts slow, once it picks up about twenty minutes in, it’s a roller coaster ride from then on. Even when the sci-fi clichés are in full effect, such as the continuous running through corridors and pipes and shafts, etc., they seem to fit the film perfectly.

Any flaws present in Parts would be mostly due to the quality of the acting. Some of the supporting cast is, well… considerably less than convincing. Two characters come instantly to mind. Paulette Breen plays a clone named Lena, Richard’s love interest. She’s basically your typical blonde airhead, but is still supposed to appear to be the most intelligent of all the women in the Clonus facility. It isn’t convincing because she appears more stupid than she does naïve. Another character that is almost laughably bad is Ricky (James Mantell in his only screen performance), the biological son of the man whom Richard is the clone of. Every single line is overstated to an absurd degree, and if he is supposed to be the last line of support for Richard – Richard’s fucked.

Everyone else in the admittedly small cast does a fine job, including performances by Peter Graves (Mission: Impossible, Airplane!) as Jeffrey Knight, the political mastermind behind Clonus with Presidential aspirations. I thought Tim Donnelly (Emergency!, The Toolbox Murders) did a great job as Richard, the clone on the run. Even Dick Sargent (Darrin #2 in Bewitched) shines in the five minutes of scattered screen time that he gets.

Parts isn’t by any means a perfect movie, but it does what every sci-fi film should do, which is make the viewer think. I think that the years have been very kind to Parts, and as thrillers go, it’s a great film with that fantastic bleakness that only the 1970s could produce. It belongs in every sci-fi collection.

Also of note: Parts: The Clonus Horror has been the subject of some debate recently, and not just because of its themes. In 2005, Michael Bay released a film called The Island, which essentially had the exact same plot. Upon the release of The Island, a lawsuit was filed by Robert S. Fiveson against Dreamworks. As of this writing, the case is going to trial. Since there are a great deal of similarities between the two films, it would be interesting for debate purposes for viewers to see both films and come up with their own opinion.

The DVD Presentation
Taking into account the obscurity of the film and the budget it had to work with when being filmed, Parts: The Clonus Horror looks really fantastic. It’s a little soft at times, but far from unwatchable. Color me impressed. The audio is a 2.0 Mono track, despite the fact that the packaging labels it as Stereo. Regardless, it sounds very clear and dialogue is easily heard. Less impressive is that Mondo didn’t include English (or any other language) subtitles. If you are deaf and you want to see Parts, I hope you have a clone somewhere and that they are growing some good ears.

And the Extras Are?
Commentary with director Robert S. Fiveson -
This is a very lively track and worth listening to. Mr. Fiveson goes on a great deal about all aspects of production, a few things in the film he feels he might not have been explicit enough about, the attention the film has recently received, etc. Some of the stories of his interaction with the cast are absolutely priceless. It’s really well done, and nicely moderated. Fans won’t want to miss it.

Parts of a Life – Interview with Robert S. Fiveson - (35:33)
This interview goes on a bit too long for its own good. There is a lot of good information included here, including Fiveson’s experiences in film school as well as hisdealings with MyrlSchreibman, the producer of the film and my favorite, teaching the cast and extras how to “blink” like a clone. But the fact is that Fiveson comes across as a bit of a cock, and you don’t want tolisten to this pompous asshole speak after a while. I recommend the commentary over this interview.

Original Theatrical Trailer - (2:32)
This is a really cool trailer – too bad its full-frame (although anamorphic, oddly enough). It really sets this up to be a great chase movie, in the vein of Logan’s Run or THX-1138.

Stills Gallery –
About 27 different photo stills and reproductions of various VHS sleeve art from around the globe.

Mondo Macabro Promo Reel – (3:13)
Found on most Mondo Macabro DVDs in one form or another, this anamorphic widescreen “trailer” of sorts shows clips of other available titles from the distributor

The Bottom Line
Parts: The Clonus Horror was first released in 2005 by Mondo Macabro, under the simple name Clonus. This is the very same DVD, repackaged and released under the more common name that ‘80s video store rats are more likely to recognize. If you already purchased Clonus, there is absolutely no need to purchase this. If you don’t already have it, this DVD is now available at a lower price and is completely worth it if you’re a sci-fi fan. Additionally, if you’ve seen or enjoyed Michael Bay’s The Island and you want to form your own opinion on that plagiarism lawsuit, Parts: The Clonus Horror is a really good film and well worth the time you’ll spend watching it.