THE BLOOD BEAST TERROR (1968)

3 stars

88 Films. Blu Ray. Out Now

Also known as: The Vampire-Beast Craves Blood; Blood Beast From Hell; Deathshead Vampire

The film starts with a young chap in his pith helmet, being rowed in a small boat along the “jungle” river, intercut with stock footage and with the sounds of wildlife on the soundtrack. In real life these scenes were shot in the untamed environs of Richmond! On land, he discovers something interesting in a tree stump.

Cut to the titles – a carriage cantering through a wooded area. A scream. The driver stops to investigate and finds a bloodied dead body. Then he hears a flapping sound…

Dr Mallinger (Robert Flemyng) is giving one of his fascinating lectures on moths! Afterwards Inspector Quinnnell (Peter Cushing) has come to speak to him about the recent death of one of Mallinger’s students when a police sergeant arrives with another victim still alive. When the professor checks on him, he surreptitiously kills the young man for some reason. There have been a spate of these mysterious killings.

Unfortunately, the coach driver witness has become a raving lunatic – talking about seeing a creature “with huge eyes and wings”.

Continuing his investigation Quinnell quizzes the professor as to what it might be – and shows him some scales that were found at the scene. It is clear that he knows more than he is letting on to the police detective.

Our intrepid explorer from the opener, one Frederick Britewell (William Wilde), turns up at the doc’s house with the chrysalids he found, which the professor is excited to receive. Sadly for Britewell he becomes the next victim of the creature that is loose. How are these deaths associated with the professor and his daughter Clare (Wanda Ventham)? What is it that is committing these murderous crimes?

Often cited as one of Cushing’s worst films, this was an attempt by Tigon to do a Hammer style horror. Is it as bad as it’s reputation? Sadly, the answer is yes – it’s biggest drawback being it’s quite dull and drawn out. Cushing does his best to enliven proceedings but he is let down by Peter Bryan’s script and the pedestrian direction by Vernon Sewell. In the middle there is even a weird stage play put on by Clare and some of Mallinger’s students which appears to only be there to pad out the running time! We also get little comedy “bits” by Roy Hudd as the morgue attendant, which feel out of place. And that’s before we even mention the monster moth – which is embarrassingly poor.

Before you ask, yes we all know Wanda Ventham is Benedict Cumberbatch’s mum!

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

3 stars

Audio commentary by John Hamilton and Howard Lanning

To Cut or Not to Cut – Howard Lanning on The Blood Beast Terror and Witchfinder General (24 mins): Talks about his early career (outside the film industry). Going to help his brother – also an editor – for two weeks, which lead to a 25 year career! How the monster didn’t work; about Tony Tenser; filming in Richmond; how the film was padded out. Also working with Michael Reeves on Witchfinder.

Terror at Grim’s Dyke House – The Making of The Blood Beast Terror (31 mins). Talking heads style ‘making of’ chatting with Rosemary McDonald-Peattie (make up), Vivien Duret (production secretary), Jeff Woodbridge (Standby carpenter), Jim Alloway (focus puller), Glynn Edwards (Sgt. Allan). Like so many of these, key contributors are no longer with us, so have to make do with who they can find to interview.

Original Trailer; The Vampire-Beast Craves Blood Trailer; Stills Gallery

Reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Sean Longmore and original poster art

The initial limited release also gets Limited Edition O-ring featuring the new artwork by Sean Longmore; Booklet featuring notes by Andrew Graves & John Hamilton