Carlton continue to do sterling
work reissuing classic films from the Rank catalogue (in
the UK), restoring films which have suffered for years
from bad washed prints, into once again beautiful pieces
of art. Whilst the restoration does sometimes suffer from
blocking and artefacting, the end results are noticably
better than anything seen recently.
The Classic Horror Collection, takes two
average British productions from the 70s plus, one near
classic Hammer (Hands of the Ripper). The two Peter
Sasdy-directed films are perphas the most interesting,
but at 20 quid for three discs, the package is appealing
enough.
dvd review
hands of the ripper
The best of the three films of the disc has Eric Porter
play a delusioned doctor dabbling in psychoanalysis, and
wittingly permitting a series of murders in the
Whitechapel area of London, performed by the young woman
he has taken in as his ward, and who just happens to be
the daughter of Jack the Ripper.
Its a different avenue for Hammer to take, and although
quite nasty in places, is at least sparing, building up
the air of menace well. The decadent Victorian world of
spiritualists and terror is conveyed well, and Sasdy
makes use of some fine camerawork and staging of his
perfomers. The addition of a son to Porter's character,
and the son's imminant marriage to a blind girl is a
waste, and underused. Confusing in its purpose, lending
nothing in particular to the splendid climax set in the
Whispering Gallery of St Paul's.
Higly praised and enjoyable period shocker.
the monster
Joan Collins plays a new mother, stressed out by the
psychotic inclinations of her son, the probable result of
an illicit liason with a deranged circus midget. Sadly it
doesn't get much better. Collins is ok, and Ralph Bates
is good but underused as always, as her long-suffering
husband. Caroline Munro's appearance as an American
friend is a throwaway.
Baby terrors are dealt with better in Rosemary's
Baby (a film which I have no particular liking)
and The
Omen. The contemporary setting would no doubt
add an edge to audiences of the time, but today it
appears a slightly tawdy piece of hokum. Watch out for
the ever enjoyable Donald Pleasance too.
the uncanny
I watched this one back in the early
nineties on British tv, during their horror double bill
Friday evenings. Produced in part by ex-Amicus Milton
Subotsky, the Anglo-Canadian production consists of three
supposedly true short stories concerning the terror of
cats, interlinked by nervous novelist Peter Cushing,
chatting to prospective publisher, Ray Milland.
The linking material is a delight and Cushing's carefully
constructed example of neurosis is a highlight. Milland
does very little, a long way from the actor-director star
he once was. The stories themselves centre around the
threatening pussies. There's only so much that one can
expect when one knows that felines are the centre of the
film. The first story, centred on the murder of elderly
cat-lover Joan Greenwood, builds up quite nicely, and is
a nice piece of poetic justice. The second concerning
black magic, ends well, but suffers from the appaling
dubbin of the child actresses. The final piece showcases
another of Donald Pleasance's wicked characters.
Infedelity in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood being
the centre of attention.
Most give this one a hard time, but it has its place in
my affection. Anything with Cushing and Pleasance can't
be all bad after all.
transfer
Transfers are fine. Sound is good and clear, in mono.
Ripper and Monster get a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer. The
Uncanny gets a letterboxed 4:3 non-anamorphic transfer.
All three are clear, with good general contrast and
definition. Blacks are a problem at times, showing tinges
of green, but on the whole good.
Design
An eye catching blue box for this set. The box
is of slim cardboard and does have a habit of coming away
at the joins a little which is obviously irksome. The
films can be split from the outer packaging and each has
its own clamshell keep case. The pacakging is quite
sombre, but decidedly gothic. Menu screens are ok. Good
use of score and montages from the films. Nothing out of
the ordinary.
extras
An appaling state of no extras. There is a
trailer for Hands of the Ripper on that disc, but
throughout the collection we are left only with English
HOH subtitles. Surely something else could have been
provided?
Subtitles English
SUMMARY
At just over £6 per film, the quality is better than a
budget priced video of same. Excellent value for money. A
little cheated on the extras front, but a welcome
addition to the collection.
RJES
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PURCHASE
R2 DVD AT BLACKSTAR
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DISC:
Release Date: October 2002 (UK)
Feature length: 257
mins
Year of 1st release: 1971 / 1975 / 1977
Rating: 15 (UK)
Aspect Ratio: variable -see review (colour)
Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
No of Discs: 3
Region code: 2
Catalogue no: 37115 03893
Distributor: Carlton Visual
Entertainment Ltd.
Price: £19.99
Cast: Peter Cushing, Ray Milland, Donald
Pleasance, Samantha Eggar, Joan Collins, Eileen Atkins,
Ralph Bates, Caroline Munro, Eric Porter
Director: Peter Sasdy, Denis Heroux
SPECIAL FEATURES:
See full details in main review on left
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