Another of the titles we acquired from Tigon, from whom Walton Films had already acquired and released the titles, ‘Witchfinder General’, ‘Curse of the Crimson Altar’, ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Hannie Caulder’ and ‘Doomwatch’. There didn’t seem much left to chose from and so this horror thriller with two icons of British horror, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee as it’s stars was quickly added to the contract. I’d never seen this on its original theatrical release, in fact I didn’t know it had received a wide release at all, so it was a pleasant surprise to watch this Victorian thriller with its strange mix of science fiction. Well made, with fine direction from Hammer veteran Freddie Francis, and Peter Cushing puts in his usual oustanding performance as a Victorian scientist who unwittingly releases true evil into the world. It seems that when his paleontological skeleton discovery from Papua New Guinea is exposed to water, flesh returns to the bones unleashing a malevolent being on the scientist’s family and friends. As I said it’s an unusual story. I rarther like the simple but effective label.
Label courtesy of Peter Brooke at ‘SPROCKETS’
Leave a Reply