Tom Harris (William Joyce) is a playboy and writer of adventure style novels who is currently going through a dry spell. His publisher, Duncan Fairchild (Dan Stapleton), decides to take him to a remote island called Voodoo Island, away from distractions, so he can write. He tempts Tom with legends of Voodoo priests, zombies and tropical women. Along for the ride is Duncan’s wife, Coral (Betty Hyatt Linton).
Almost out of fuel, the small plane lands on the beach of the tiny island. Tom goes looking for help but finds a pretty young woman swimming in a pond. He then sees a zombie headed toward the woman. He jumps into the water and scares the woman but manages to attract the attention of the zombie who begins chasing him. He runs into a local man who gets killed by the zombie. Tom is then saved by several men in a jeep. The leader is Charles Bentley (Walter Coy). Bentley introduces himself as the island owner’s overseer. He tells Tom that the zombie is a local man who went insane and killed his family. They have been hunting for him ever since. Bentley has the small plane secured and takes the visitors to the main house.
At the house the visitors meet Jeannie Biladeau (Heather Hewitt), the woman who had been swimming, and her father, Dr. Auguste Biladeau (Robert Stanton). Biladeau has been living and working on the island looking for a cure for cancer using snake venom. When Tom asks about the zombie, he is told that the natives partake in a plant derived narcotic that causes physical and mental changes in those addicted to it.
Later Tom and Jeannie are attacked by a zombie. Tom decides they need to leave the island as soon as possible. The next day, Tom makes arrangements to get the plane fueled up, but the plane is attacked by zombies and destroyed. While Tom and Duncan try to ward off the zombies, Jeannie and Coral are kidnapped to be used as human sacrifices and are part of a plan to create an army of zombie warriors.
“I Eat Your Skin” AKA “Zombie” AKA “Zombie Bloodbath” AKA “Voodoo Blood Bath” was released in 1971 and was written and directed by Del Tenney. It is an American horror movie.
The movie was shot in 1964 and finished in 1965. Then, for lack of a promoter, was put on a shelf until 1971 when Jerry Gross bought the rights. Gross changed the title to “I Eat Your Skin” in order to pair it on a double bill with his film “I Drink Your Blood” 1971. The change in title had nothing to do with the movie. Even the zombies don’t eat anyone.
As far as zombie movies are concerned, this one is rather tame. It’s not a great movie, but I actually found it enjoyable despite the playboy exploitation scenes. The acting was average and slightly over-the-top but there was a simplistic vibe to the movie that was slightly reminiscent of the old horror films from the 40’s and 50’s.