In a rare victory for indie filmmakers, the case was settled out of court in 2006 for an undisclosed sum. While studios never admit guilt in settlements, the fact that The Island —a $126-million box office bomb—had to pay damages to a $350,000 film from 1979 effectively vindicated The Clonus Horror . It proved that even a "bad" idea is legally an owned idea.
The Clonus Horror (often simply called The Clonus Horror ) is a 1979 science fiction thriller that has gained a cult following, primarily through its 1997 feature on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) Plot Summary
: The inhabitants are actually clones created to serve as "spare parts" for wealthy and powerful individuals. The Conflict The Clonus Horror
The reality is nightmarish. Clonus is a secret cloning facility. The "Parts" (as they are officially designated) are harvested for their vital organs to extend the lives of the wealthy elite. The film follows one "Part," Richard Knight Jr. (Tim Donnelly), who begins to question the narrative. After discovering a bloody incinerator and a mysterious tunnel, he escapes into the "real" world, only to discover that his entire identity—even his memories of a mother—are implanted fabrications.
The story centers on Richard (Timothy Donnelly), a man living in a secluded, idyllic commune. The inhabitants wear matching white tunics, engage in calisthenics, and are taught that "America" is a paradise they will one day visit if they follow the rules. However, Richard begins to question his surroundings. He finds aVHS tape (a glaring anachronism in a seemingly agrarian society) and eventually discovers the horrifying truth: the commune is a farm. In a rare victory for indie filmmakers, the
: The compound is a farm where clones are raised for the wealthy and powerful. "America" is simply a euphemism for the laboratory where clones are killed and frozen to serve as "spare parts" for their original counterparts.
(originally titled Parts: The Clonus Horror ) is a 1979 science fiction horror film that explores the chilling ethical boundaries of human cloning and organ harvesting. Directed by Robert S. Fiveson , this low-budget dystopian cult classic gained significant notoriety decades after its release—first for its appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) and later for a high-profile copyright lawsuit against the creators of the 2005 film The Island . Plot Summary: The Dark Side of Utopia The Clonus Horror (often simply called The Clonus
To truly appreciate The Clonus Horror , one must appreciate its constraints. Shot in 18 days on a shoestring budget in Simi Valley, California, the film was a passion project for Robert Fiveson. He had originally written a more ambitious script, but the money dictated compromises.
What followed was a rare victory for small filmmakers. In 2008, a federal judge ruled that while The Island was not a direct copy, the "total concept and feel" had been lifted. DreamWorks settled for an undisclosed sum, reportedly around $20 million. This legal precedent is fascinating. It suggests that a low-budget, poorly acted, obscure film can still possess a unique "architectural" idea—a narrative blueprint—worthy of protection. The case became a warning to Hollywood: even your trash might be someone else’s treasure. Ironically, the lawsuit did more to cement The Clonus Horror ’s legacy than any critical reevaluation could.
The film’s most sophisticated element is its treatment of consent. The clones don't see themselves as slaves; they see themselves as lucky. They are told they are special, destined for a great purpose. Their warden, the kindly but monstrous "Doctor," uses paternalistic language: "We love you," he says, as he prepares another clone for the harvest. The film implicitly asks: If you are raised from birth to believe your exploitation is a privilege, is your consent meaningful? This theme resonates far beyond cloning. It is a critique of all systems—from factory farming to corporate labor—that dress up extraction as opportunity. The clones' tragedy is not just that they are killed, but that they thank their killers for the chance.
The film’s technical limitations (bad dubbing, flat lighting, repetitive soundtrack) are undeniable. Yet, there is a scrappy sincerity to the production that elevates it above pure trash. They were trying to make THX 1138 , but they ended up making a high school play about euthanasia. That dissonance is the source of its charm.