🐓 THE FOOD OF THE GODS (1976)

Original UK Quad Poster – First Release
Format: UK Quad (30 x 40 in)
Country: United Kingdom
Distributor: Brent Walker Film Distributors Ltd.
Certificate: X
Year: 1976

🖼️ Poster Description

This is an original first-release UK quad for The Food of the Gods, the infamous H.G. Wells–inspired eco-horror film produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon—a cult figure known for his giant-creature cinema. UK quads for this title are especially collectible due to their dramatic, pulpy artwork and limited British distribution.

Artwork & Imagery

The artwork is a spectacular example of 1970s exploitation poster design, featuring bold, oversized creatures and kinetic action:

• Dominating Visual:
  With art by Tom Chantrell we find a gigantic, vividly painted monster chicken with exaggerated features—blood-red comb and wattles, glowing predatory eye—looms across the top half of the poster. This singular image has become a cult icon of 70s creature-feature marketing. 

• Foreground Drama:
  A woman in a torn pink dress lies in peril across the large yellow title lettering—one of the classic exploitation “danger heroine” motifs.
  Rendered with exaggerated movement and emotional intensity, typical of American International Pictures’ poster campaigns.

• Action Scene (right side):

  • Marjoe Gortner fires a shotgun at the mutated creatures, styled in an action-hero pose.

  • A monstrous reptilian or insectoid leg looms above him, mid-attack.
    Explosive lighting effects enhance the chaos and tension.

• Colour Palette:
  Rich greens, blues, and blacks contrasted with fiery reds and yellows to create maximum intensity and eye-catching appeal.

• Tagline:
  Positioned in the upper right:
  “H.G. Wells, the master of science fiction, tells his most frightening story…”
  Leaning heavily on literary heritage to elevate the film’s profile.

• Title Treatment:
  THE FOOD OF THE GODS—in massive, blocky, slanted yellow type with black drop-shadow—fills nearly the entire lower third, enhancing display presence.

• Credits:
  Includes full key cast:

  • Marjoe Gortner

  • Pamela Franklin

  • Ralph Meeker

  • Jon Cypher

  • Belinda Balaski

  • Tom Stovall
    And Ida Lupino, prominently credited at bottom left.
    Screenplay and direction by Bert I. Gordon.
    Released by Brent Walker in the UK with colour by Movielab.

• Certificate “X” printed, confirming original theatrical release for adult audiences.

⭐ Collectability & Rarity

This quad is prized among collectors of:

• 1970s horror & creature features

• American International Pictures memorabilia

• H.G. Wells adaptations

• Bert I. Gordon’s “giant monster” filmography

• Tom Chantrell artist

Reasons it is particularly desirable:

1. The artwork is among the most outrageous and memorable of the era.

2. UK distribution was comparatively small, making quads substantially harder to locate than U.S. one-sheets.

3. The film’s cult status continues to grow with revival screenings and Blu-ray restorations.

4. This title is part of the mid-70s post-Jaws eco-horror trend—highly collectible now.

📜 Condition Assessment:

• Original fold lines present (as issued by UK cinemas pre-1985).

• Listed in Very Fine condition.

• Slight fold-wear and minor handling creases visible.

• No major tears, tape marks, stains, or paper loss apparent.

• Colours remain strong, with no significant fading.

• Overall displays extremely well.