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FROM BEYOND (1986)
4 stars
88 Films. 4K UHD and Blu Ray. 9th December
Crawford Tillinghast (Jeffrey Combs) is running tests on the Resonator, a machine he assisted in developing with Dr Edward Pretorius (Ted Sorel). If it works it will enable anyone within range to see beyond the normal reality. He flicks a large switch (movie gizmos always have a big lever or switch after all) and a strange floating creature appears – he hastily turns it off after the entity bites him on the face!
When he excitedly tells his colleague it works, Pretorius runs the contraption again and is overcome – “Something’s coming”, he declares. A mad faced Tillinghast runs from the building. When the police investigate, because of the noises emanating from the house, they find a headless Doctor and arrest Tillinghast for murder.
Locked up in a psych ward, he is under the care of Dr Katherine McMichaels (Barbara Crampton), who, after running tests, thinks he is innocent. Accompanied by Detective Bubba Brownlee (Ken Foree), they return to the scene of the crime and rebuild the device – you know that isn’t going to end well as wonderfully rubbery and slimy creatures are brought forth…
Following the success of RE-ANIMATOR (1985), Stuart Gordon is back in H.P. Lovecraft territory, working from a short story which was only seven pages long. Remastered from the original 35mm negative, the freaky film is crisp and colourful. There’s plenty of psychobabble dialogue in Dennis Paoli’s script, delivered by a wild Combs and perky Crampton – her character can’t resist trying the machine on her own, leading to a sexy scene in leather bondage gear. Because, why not! She apparently sold the dominatrix get-up some years later at a yard sale. The film becomes progressively more gory and over the top as it progresses enlivened by the oozing make-up effects. It is strikingly shot by cinematographer Mac Ahlberg and whilst it might not be quite the equal of RE-ANIMATOR, it is a fun ride.
Steve Kirkham
EXTRAS
4 stars
Audio Commentary by Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
Audio Commentary by Stuart Gordon, Bryan Yuzna, Barbara Crampton & Jeffrey Combs
Don’t Bite the Pineal Gland – Jeffrey Combs on From Beyond (30 mins)
All Aboard the Love Machine – Barbara Crampton on From Beyond (35 mins)
Back From Outer Space – Ken Foree on From Beyond (31 mins)
Monster Unleashed – Brian Yuzna on From Beyond (32 mins)
Reflections with Stuart Gordon “ A Director’s Perspective”. Archival (8 mins)
Lost and Found: Archival, trims from the film which were excised after being presented to the MPAA (4 mins)
Interview with Composer Richard Band. Archival (4 mins)
Storyboards Intro and Storyboard Comparison; Original Trailer; Stills Gallery
Plus rigid slipcase with new artwork by Ilanimation Studios, 4 collectible art cards and a double sided poster
