Mission Impossible

"The Mysterious Monsters" is a classical documentary from 1976, featuring actor Peter Graves from "Mission Impossible". Graves investigates observations of Bigfoot, but briefly also deals with the Yeti and the Loch Ness monster. He interviews pro-Bigfoot scientist Grover Krantz, Bigfoot hunter Robert Morgan, Nessie researcher Tim Dinsdale and even notorious hoaxer Ray Pickens, running around in Bigfoot boots! A few sceptics are featured, some of them not even named. The bulk of the show consists of interviews with eye-witnesses, and re-enactments of their experiences. The actor starring Bigfoot looks suitably scary.

Judging by other reviews, "The Mysterious Monsters" was quite the hit when it was released. Graves and his team try to solve the mystery as best they can, analyzing voice-recordings, subjecting witnesses to polygraph tests, and so on. But, of course, the mystery still remains 40 years later. What struck me when watching "The Mysterious Monsters" is that the Bigfoot scene looks almost identical today as it did when Graves' very own IMF task force trailed the monster. The UFO phenomenon has changed considerably, but it seems Bigfoot is still his old self: huge, hairy, smelly, elusive...

But then, what did we expect? ;-)

The show climaxes, as it should, with Graves showing part of the famous Patterson-Gimlin film, still considered the best single piece of evidence for the existence of Bigfoot. A standoff ensues between a sceptic and Krantz, with no side really emerging as the winner. This, too, sounds eerily familiar...

Somebody should try to solve this issue by sending out an expedition to Skookum or British Columbia. But remember: if any of you get caught or killed, the Ashtar Command will disavow all knowledge of your actions!