The Asphyx *** (1972, Robert Stephens, Robert Powell, Jane Lapotaire) – Classic Movie Review 6148

Director Peter Newbrook’s macabre 1973 British horror movie stars Robert Stephens as Sir Hugo Cunningham, an obsessed brilliant Victorian scientist who traps the spirit of death (the Greek-named Asphyx of the title), which supposedly enters bodies when they die. So he starts experiments with it in order to try to make himself immortal.

Written by Brian Comport, based on a story by Christina and Laurence Beers, this is an unusual, convincing, and often gripping slice of sci-fi/ supernatural chiller, with spirited performances from three fine star-actors in their prime, Stephens, Robert Powell (as Giles Cunningham) and Jane Lapotaire (as Christina Cunningham).

Freddie Young’s distinguished Eastmancolor cinematography is a big asset, Bill McGuffie’s score is good and the Sfx by Ted Samuels are of good quality for their day too.

It runs 100 minutes but was re-released as The Horror of Death at 87 minutes.

Also in the cast are Alex Scott, Ralph Arliss, Fiona Walker, David Gray, Tony Caunter, Paul Bacon, John Lawrence and Terry Scully.

It was made at Shepperton Studios , Surrey, England.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6148

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