Amicus Collection [3 Discs]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

This collection contains the films "Asylum," "And Now the Screaming Starts" & "The Beast Must Die." Stars include Peter Cushing, Herbert Lom, Britt Ekland, Patrick Magee, Charlotte Rampling, Barry Morse, Robert Powell, Barbara Parkins, Stephanie Beacham, Ian Ogilvy, and Calvin Lockhart.

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: All
• Number of Discs: 3
• Audio: DDM2.0
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Peter Cushing - Dr. Pope
       Britt Ekland - Lucy
       Herbert Lom - Dr. Byron
       Patrick Magee - Dr. Rutherford
       Robert Powell - Dr. Martin
       Barbara Parkins - Bonnie
       Andrew Lodge - Pilot

• Director:

  Paul Annett, Roy Ward Baker

• Producer:

  John Dark, Max Rosenberg, Milton Subotsky

• Screenwriter:

  Michael Winder, Roger Marshall, Robert Bloch

• Cinematographer:

  Jack Hildyard, Denys Coop

• Composer (Music Score):

  Douglas Gamley

• Editor:

  Peter Tanner

• Art Director:

  John Stoll, Tony Curtis

• Executive Producer:

  Gustave Berne

• Set Designer:

  Fred Carter

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Ken Ritchie, Norman Bolland

• First Assistant Director:

  Richard Jenkins, Derek Whitehurst, Anthony Waye

• Short Story Author:

  James Blish

REVIEWS:

• Asylum is a textbook example of the skill that Amicus Productions showed for producing entertaining horror anthology films. Robert Bloch's script is built on an ingenious hook -- it has a psychologist listening to patients' stories so he can identify which patient is the asylum's former head doctor -- and this approach allows the stories to flow together in a natural manner. Some of the stories are stronger than others (the one revolving around Charlotte Rampling is probably the weakest of the bunch), but the clever framework ensures they all work together as a piece. Director Roy Ward Baker helms the proceedings with subtle style, giving them moody lighting and artful camera movements that enhance the spooky mood without ever overdoing it. Another key aspect of Asylum's appeal is that, like most of the Amicus anthologies, it has a star-studded cast that is fun to watch. The scene stealers here include Richard Todd as a scheming husband, Peter Cushing as a customer who makes odd demands on his tailor, and Herbert Lom as an asylum patient with the unusual habit of making small mannequins. It all adds up to an old-fashioned blast of horror-movie fun. Thus, Asylum is a solid choice for genre fans in search of some old-fashioned chills. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi
• The non-anthology output of Amicus Productions tended to be hit-and-miss, but The Beast Must Die is an interesting if lightweight horror-mystery hybrid from the studio. The script derives its inspiration from The Most Dangerous Game, Ten Little Indians, and any number of werewolf films to create its own offbeat hybrid of thrills and chills. It is sometimes a bit too reliant on talk over action, but the amusing, often dishy dialogue helps (the story also boasts an endearingly kitschy "werewolf break" gimmick that is right out of the William Castle playbook). Director Paul Annett's work isn't quite stylish enough to capitalize on the film's offbeat mix of genres, but he unfurls the storyline at a steady clip and makes great use of a stellar cast. Said cast is probably the film's biggest hook; Calvin Lockhart delivers an engagingly hammy performance as the film's master hunter, while Peter Cushing lends a subtle but charismatic presence as the story's resident scientist, and Tom Chadbon steals a few scenes as the wiliest of the guests. Charles Gray, Anton Diffring, and Marlene Clark are given less to do, but all do solid work and their presence is likely to up the interest level for B-movie fans. In short, The Beast Must Die is modest but entertaining stuff. It might be a little too old-fashioned for younger viewers, but veteran horror fans are likely to be amused. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi