Review: Asylum:
Blu-ray: Asylum (1972)
Following on from my review of The House That Dripped Blood, Second Sight Films have also released a limited edition Blu-ray of Asylum.
No need to read the review, just go and buy them both immediately.
Ok then, for those of you who really want to know something about it…
Asylum is another portmanteau horror movie by Amicus films, presented here with superb picture and sound, great packaging with new artwork by Graham Humphreys, a 40 page booklet with new essays by Allan Bryce, Jon Towlson and Kat Ellinger, and a whole host of informative and entertaining special features.
The framing story centres around Doctor Martin (Robert Powell) who arrives for a job interview at a secluded asylum for the incurably insane. To prove himself worthy of the job, he must listen to the stories of 4 inmates to determine who is the former head of the asylum who has suffered a breakdown.
The 4 stories told to him are:
\’Frozen Fear\’, which stars Barbara Parkins as Bonnie; a woman who tells Dr Martin about her plot to kill her lovers wife. Unfortunately for her, the methods employed to dispatch of the lovers wife turn against them both.
\’The Weird Tailor\’ sees the welcome return of Peter Cushing, and here he stars as a mysterious client to a struggling tailor, who asks for a suit to be made during the night hours and of a strange material. Surely nothing untoward can come from this?
Charlotte Rampling and Britt Ekland are Barbara and Lucy; 2 young women that butter wouldn\’t melt in their mouths. However, neither are what they originally seem.
Rounding off the 4 stories is \’Mannikins of Horror\’, where Herbert Lom transfers his soul into a small automaton in order to seek revenge on those that have wronged him.
Yet again, the less you know before watching, the more enjoyment you will get on a 1st viewing. The conclusion of the framing story once more rounds everything off in a satisfying manner.
Both Asylum and the aforementioned The House That Dripped Blood are not only highly entertaining movies, they are also presented in these limited edition releases from Second Sight Films in packages that are essential purchases for any collector.
Buy them both before they sell out.
Special Features
- Audio commentary with Director Roy Ward Baker, Camera Operator Neil Binney and film historian Marcus Hearn
- Two’s a Company: 1972 On-set BBC report featuring interviews with Producer Milton Subotsky, Director Roy Ward Baker,
- Actors Charlotte Rampling, James Villiers, Megs Jenkins, Art Director Tony Curtis and Production Manager Teresa Bolland
- Screenwriter David J. Schow on Writer Robert Bloch
- Fiona Subotsky Remembers Milton Subotsky
- Inside The Fear Factory: Featurette with Directors Roy Ward Baker, Freddie Francis and Producer Max J. Rosenberg
- Theatrical Trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Graham Humphreys and original artwork
- Optional English Subtitles for the hard of hearing
Limited Edition Contents
- Rigid Slipcase Featuring New Artwork by Graham Humphreys
- 40 page booklet with new essays by Allan Bryce, Jon Towlson and Kat Ellinger
- Reversible poster featuring new and original artwork
Review by Dave from a disc kindly supplied by Aim Publicity.
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