Above par
Hammeresque horror from the 1970's British horror
peak. Melding scares and intelligent plot. A must-see.
plot
"Sir Hugo Cunningham is a wealthy
philanthropist and avid psychic researcher who
has discovered intriguing photographic evidence
of a mythical spirit of the dead, the "asphyx".
A plan is hatched to capture and asphyx but in
tampering with the forces of life and death, Hugo
has set down a path to ruin, pain, and the
destruction of everything he loves."
dvd
The dvd was prepared in 1997, just in
time for the 25th anniversary of this much-forgotten
British horror film.
Brian Comfort's script is a delightfully sinister
tale of Victoriana horror. In the period of
scientific enlightenment Robert Stephens (The
Private Life of Sherlock Holmes) stars
as Sir Hugo, investigating the mysterious taker
of life, known as the Asphyx, evident on
photographs of the near-deceased. It is only when
his son and his wife are killed in a tragic
accident, and the Asphyx turns up on celluloid
that he takes his investigations further.
Accompanied by Robert Powell (Tommy, Asylum) as his
stepson, the quest soon diverts down more
Frankenstein-like paths.
In the low-budget tradition of Hammer, Peter
Newbrook builds on the success of his own work
with Corruption in the creation of a series of
horror films. Glendale Films' prior feature to The
Asphyx being Crucible of Terror in 1971.
Both films are ignored in the cannon of British
horror. The Asphyx itself
seldom being seen in anything other than a
terribly pan&scanned presentation.
The Asphyx is
intelligent and stylish. Oscar winning
cinematographer Freddie Young presents a
luxurious frame, and Newbrook directs with
feeling. The lighting enhances the dark and
sometimes exciting elements of plot. The very
idea of being able to photograph death has a ring
of familiarity with the premise of The Omen (1976).
The actual Asphyx is realised without over-indulgence.
Whilst actually frightening, it is not dragged
about as a gimic.
All Day are a small independant US
distribution company, and have already set out
with an excellent range of cult horror releases
on DVD. The Asphyx package isn't a bad deal
either. Presented in the original widescreen
ratio, the transfer is fairly good. There were a
number of transfer problems with the source
material, details of which are available from the
All Day site. But apart from looking slightly
digitalised (it still looks much better than any
VHS), and some scratching of the prints,
particularly in the last couple of reels, the
colour is as vibrant as the day it came back from
the chemist.
Extras take the form of brief biogs and
filmographies for stars and crew alike. They've
also reproduced some of the original US press
book material. Whilst it would be nice to have
had a trailer (I'm told one was supplied with the
prints, but only after the DVD was pressed), the
rare chance to see this film makes it all the
worthwhile.
The cover painting is by Bill
Chancellor, whose work is also printed in Cult
Movies Magazine. I hope to see more from All Day
in the coming months and years.
The Asphyx is
classic thoughtful British horror. Ahead of its
time, and chilling without being gory. A delight.
As Variety put it, "Thinking man's horror
film".
RJES
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