The Asphyx (1973)

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The sort of movie Corman, Hammer et al. can only dream of making.
Roberts Stephens gives it all he's got as Sir Hugo Cunningham, a country gentleman and scholar who thinks he may have photographed the soul leaving the body at the moment of death. Aided by Robert Powell, an undead guinea pig and some Heath Robinson lab gear, he realises he's on to something even more remarkable and far more dangerous.
Filmed beautifully, almost entirely in long shot with very long takes ( it looks rather like a play at times) and with an original story (almost unheard of in horror/sf movies) in every sense of the word, it's a much overlooked classic.
 
Thanks for reminding me. Wonder why it hasn't been repeated?
Trivia:- The salford born actor Robert Powel went on to play Jesus in jesus of Nazereth (1979) and also starred along side Jasper Carrott in Canned Carrott and The Detectives.
 
More trivia - he runs Holby City Hospital now!

I first saw The Asphyx overnight when ITV started 24 hours broadcasting. Thought It was amazing. Still do!
 
I love these period horror films. The Asphyx was one of the first region1 dvRAB I bought. I think I preferred the output of Amicus and some of the other independents (a company called Glendale made The Asphyx) to Hammer to be honest.

It's a really beautiful period film. Excellent cast with Robert Stephens, Robert Powell and Jane Lapotaire. Fascinating story as well. Like most period films it hasn't dated particularly whereas a lot of the seventies-set horrors from the time look rather dodgy now.

It works so well because it is played completely straight. No camping up a la Vincent Price, no sex/violence concessions to the box office, just a very strong story well-told.
 
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