Doomwatch (film)

Doomwatch is a 1972 British science fiction thriller film directed by Peter Sasdy and starring Ian Bannen, John Finch, and Judy Geeson. It is a film adaptation of the BBC television series Doomwatch, which ran from 1970 to 1972.

The film follows Dr. Del Shaw (Bannen), a scientist working for Doomwatch, a government agency tasked with investigating and combating environmental and technological threats to the United Kingdom. Shaw is sent to a remote island off the coast of Cornwall to investigate a reported outbreak of a strange disease that is causing severe physical deformities and mental regression in the island's inhabitants.

As Shaw investigates, he uncovers a dark secret: the disease is the result of a reckless experiment conducted by the military on the island years earlier, involving growth hormones used to raise larger livestock. The experiment went horribly wrong, leading to the current outbreak and the grotesque mutations afflicting the islanders.

The film explores themes of government cover-ups, the dangers of unchecked scientific progress, and the impact of environmental pollution. It offers a bleak and cynical view of the consequences of technological arrogance and the potential for scientific advancements to be misused. While not as critically acclaimed as some other science fiction films of the era, Doomwatch is notable for its grim tone, social commentary, and its connection to the popular television series.