The Abominable Snowman (1957) (UK)

aka The Snow Creature

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

English botanist John Rollason (Peter Cushing) is studying rare mountain herbs with his wife Helen and associate Peter in the Himalayas. Along comes an American, Tom Friend (Forrest Tucker), who is more showman than scientist and against the wishes of all levelheaded individuals (his wife and the High Lama at the lamasery Cushing has set up base at), John goes off with Tom on his expedition to hunt down the elusive yeti. Rollason is lured out under the belief of scientific advancement but Friend’s intention is far more exploitive than the kindhearted doctor can stomach. Friction and death follow. The benign creatures (well, until those human bastards kill one of their own) are kind of goofy looking when finally revealed but luckily have a nice air of menace (and some supernatural abilities to boot) while they’re kept mostly offscreen. Cushing and Tucker are excellent in their respective rolls and the Nigel Kneale script is wonderfully mature. The hard work put into the set design manages to convince the audience that our heroes are wandering around the icy mountains with a threat remaining just outside of their line of sight. Helen remains on the sideline for most of the runtime, worrying about her husband, until she says “fuck it!” and heads out to rescue his bony English ass.