Right from the title to the end, Monster on the Campus is a class effort. Dr. Donald Blake is an evolutionary scientist tracing humankind's development over the centuries. He also teaches at the local university. The film's genesis begins with Dr. Blake receiving a living fossil - a coelacanth - a fish thought to have been extinct for over 100 million years.

There is obviously something fishy about the fossil as it proceeds to infect, local dog, and later Dr. Blake himself. The results are terrifying as first the dog reverts to becoming a primitive wolf - courtesy extremely long fangs - and secondly even more terrifyingly, Dr. Blake reverts to becoming a primitive anthropoid, 'physically as well as mentally'. The 'creature' having regressed to its most basic form understandably succeeds in spreading terror throughout the campus. Luckily, the 'infection' lasts only a matter of hours before wearing off and leaving the victim unaware of what has transpired.

Unfortunately, Dr. Blake manages to inadvertently and ingeniously manages to infect himself on several occasions, once by being 'bitten' by the fossil and once through the use of his pipe! The film progresses rapidly until our daring hero finally puts two and two together and realises the horrifying possibility that he may be the victim of the 'evolution reversed' theory that he has put together and thereby responsible for the mayhem. Then it's a race against time for the scientist.

An ingenious plot line forms the basis for this highly entertaining sci-fi film. There's rarely a dull moment in the film and the 'creature' is kept hidden till fairly late on in proceedings thereby heightening the suspense and the 'shock' effect of seeing the monster when it finally is revealed. The film must have been seen as a special effects extravaganza in its time with the transformation scenes being particularly impressive. Look out also for the giant dragon fly attack. An entertaining effort and full marks to the scriptwriter for a most innovative plot with plenty of drama and inevitably, tragedy.