The Amicus Collection (Asylum / And Now The Screaming Starts / The Beast Must Die)

The Amicus Collection (Asylum / And Now The Screaming Starts / The Beast Must Die)

The Amicus Collection (Asylum / And Now The Screaming Starts / The Beast Must Die)
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DVD Cover Information

Actor: Barbara Parkins, Peter Cushing
Brand: MPI
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 270 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-10-30
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Dark Sky Films

Movie Reviews of The Amicus Collection (Asylum / And Now The Screaming Starts / The Beast Must Die)

Movie Review: Superb Horror Collection (Provides A Terrific Crash Course On Amicus Studios)
Summary: 5 Stars

If you're not familiar with Amicus studios, you will be after watching the three films in this superb collection: "Asylum," "And Now the Screaming Starts!" and "The Beast Must Die." Amicus was a British film studio famous for releasing horror films in the sixties and seventies. It was Hammer studios' number one competitor. Whereas Hammer was famous for its historical gothic horror (e.g., the Frankenstein and Dracula series), Amicus was famous for its horror anthologies.

Perhaps one of the most famous of the anthologies that Amicus released is the chilling "Asylum." Based on short stories written by "Psycho" author Robert Bloch, this film begins with a young doctor applying for a position at an insane asylum. He must interview four patients; each one relates their ghastly experience that caused them to be incarcerated. Voodoo, witchcraft, and drugs bring forth some of our worst nightmares. Dismembered limbs seek revenge, a mannequin comes to life, and a man's soul is transferred into a doll that murders. A good body count, plenty of suspense, and a shocking ending make "Asylum" enjoyable viewing.

"The Beast Must Die" is contemporary horror. What distinguished this one from most of its contemporaries? The lead actor was controversially played by a black man, Calvin Lockhart. The film bordered on blaxploitation. Lockhart is Tom Newcliff, a type of "Shaft" character who is a self-made millionaire and big game hunter; he invites to his secluded home a group of strangers - one of whom is a werewolf. There is plenty of action as one by one the strangers are killed until the identity of the werewolf is revealed. There are a few shocking twists to keep everyone guessing.

"And Now the Screaming Starts!" is my personal favorite (and my reason for buying the collection) because I love historical gothic horror. I've read that this is the only one produced by Amicus. What a shame because it really is a great ghost story about a dismembered hand and an eyeless woodsman that terrorizes a wealthy couple on their wedding night. Gorgeous Stephanie Beacham is Catherine Fenngriffen who is determined to learn the curse that has been placed on her husband's family. One by one, friends and staff members die as they attempt to help her. There is a shocking climax similar to the one in "Rosemary's Baby."

Horror icon Peter Cushing co-stars in all three films. He was a big star for Hammer Studios. In fact, many of Hammer's actors and crew members worked on Amicus films. Roy Ward Baker directed "Asylum" and "And Now the Screaming Starts!" He directed many Hammer films such as "The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires," "Quartermass and the Pit," and "The Abominable Snowman." All three Amicus films were produced by Max J. Rosenberg (the money man) and Milton Subotsky (the idea man) who founded Amicus, which means "friend."

Dark Sky Films did an excellent job of packaging and releasing this collection. Each DVD has excellent commentaries, interviews, and liner notes that will explain in greater detail how Amicus studios came into existence and how each film was made. There are English subtitles for the hearing impaired. Each film can be seen in its beautiful widescreen theatrical presentation.

"The Amicus Collection" is highly recommended for those who enjoy watching gothic horror (both contemporary and historical) that was made in the early seventies. Each film is classic horror and represents a wonderful age in cinema that is long gone. Amicus, famous for its anthologies, made many that are recommended viewing such as "The Torture Garden," "The House That Dripped Blood," "From Beyond the Grave," "Tales from the Crypt," and "Vault of Horror."

Summary of The Amicus Collection (Asylum / And Now The Screaming Starts / The Beast Must Die)

Asylum
When Dr. Martin (Robert Powell) arrives at the Dunsmoor Asylum for the incurably insane, he expects to be interviewed by asylum director Dr. Starr. Instead he is met by Dr. Rutherford (Patrick Magee), who explains that Dr. Starr had suffered a mental breakdown and now is one of the patients. Dr. Rutherford decides that if Martin can deduce which one is really Dr. Starr, then he will be given the position. Is it Bonnie (Barbara Parkins), whose affair with a married man turns murderous? Is it Bruno (Barry Morse), a hardluck tailor visited by a mysterious stranger (Peter Cushing) with a blueprint and very special fabric for an unusual suit? Is it Barbara (Charlotte Rampling), accused of murdering her brother and her nurse but insisting that her friend Lucy (Britt Ekland) was responsible; Or is it Dr. Byron (Herbert Lom) who claims the ability to transfer collecting.

And Now the Screaming Starts
Set in 1795 England, And Now the Screaming Starts! tells the tale of blissful newlyweds Catherine (Stephanie Beacham) and Charles Fengriffen (Ian Ogilvy) who move into his ancestral family mansion. On their wedding night, Catherine is raped by a malevolent spirit. She is further plagued by a series of haunting visions involving an eyeless woodsman and a murderous disembodied hand. Can a savage act of depravity and violence committed by one of Charles' ancestors be to blame? Charles fears that his bride is going insane and calls for Doctor Whittle (Patrick Magee). Unable to help Catherine overcome her visions, Dr. Whittle calls for assistance from a fellow practitioner, Dr. Pope (Peter Cushing), who uses reason and logic to combat what he assumes is a mental disorder. In time, Dr. Pope finds himself fighting a losing battle against the forces of the supernatural carrying out a bloody family curse. Directed by Roy Ward Baker (Asylum, The Vault of Horror, The Monster Club) and produced by Amicus stalwarts Max J. Rosenberg and Milton Subotsky, And Now the Screaming Starts! has been mastered in High Definition from 35mm vault materials.

The Beast Must Die
Wealthy big game hunter Tom Newcliffe (Calvin Lockhart) has tracked and killed practically every type of animal in the world. But one creature still evades him, the biggest game of all - a werewolf. Tom invites five guests -- Dr. Christopher Lundgren (Peter Cushing), Paul Foote (Tom Chadbon), Bennington (Charles Gray), Jan Jarmokowski (Michael Gambon) and Davina (Ciaran Madden)-- to his island knowing they all are tied one way or another to unusual circumstances of death. and that one of them is a werewolf. Add to the mix Tom's alluring wife Caroline (Marlene Clark) and surveillance expert, Pavel (Anton Diffring), Tom tracks the werewolf but is unable to kill it. One by one the creature kills the isolated guests.

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