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The Creeping Flesh (1972 England)

 
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 8:58 pm    Post subject: The Creeping Flesh (1972 England) Reply with quote




A strange mixture of science fiction and Gothic horror.

Mostly horror.

The story swings back and forth between the two genres like a pendulum.

First it's science fiction; scientist Peter Cushing unearths an eight-foot, semi-human skeleton which supposedly predates Neanderthal man. While washing the skeleton, Cushing watches in amazement when the water causes new flesh to form around one of the fingers (good special effect).

Now the story turns into Gothic horror; Cushing learns that the skeleton is the remains of a creature of "pure evil", part of a race which battled with the forces of good at the beginning of time. When erosion brings the buried skeletons to the surface, rain will reconstitute their bodies, and the war between good and evil will resume.

Back to science fiction; Cushing use the blood of the reconstituted finger to develop a serum which he thinks will make mankind immune to evil. When his daughter (Lorna Heilbron) shows signs of insanity, Cushing unwisely injects her with his supposedly evil-proofing serum. It backfires and turns her into a homicidal maniac.

Back to gothic horror again; Cushing's ruthless half-brother (Christopher Lee) runs the local insane asylum, and he steals the skeleton, believing it to be valuable. Unfortunately Lee's carriage overturns during a rainstorm, and -- Presto! Instant monster! Just add water, literally.

The tall creature wears a hooded cape which gives it a Grim Reaper look.

The concept sounds terrific at first, but it crumbles to pieces as the story progresses. The monster doesn't show up until near the end, and even then it only comes to Cushing's lab to retrieve its severed finger.

Director Freddie Francis should have picked one kind of story and stuck to it. The Twilight Zone-ish surprise ending is a macabre little touch.

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)


Last edited by Bud Brewster on Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:11 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Bud Brewster
Galactic Fleet Admiral (site admin)


Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17020
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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A nice example of a creepy, low-key trailer — not like the America trailers that shout everything at you and make outrageous claims like, "The most horrifying screen experience you'll ever see!" Shocked

(Right. That's what they say every time.)

Enjoy this trailer . . . if you dare! Twisted Evil



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_________________
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)


Last edited by Bud Brewster on Fri Oct 11, 2019 12:12 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Bogmeister
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 12:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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There's a chance I saw this film about 30 years ago on TV and it merged in my memory with all the other horror/sci-fi of that period (not to mention all the other Lee-Cushing film pairings).

If I did see it back then, it probably didn't impress me due to a slow pace, but now it intrigues my adult sensibilities. I bought the DVD 5 years ago and it was gathering dust until a year ago.

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This is gothic horror (year 1893) combined with bits of science fiction a la the mad Dr.Frankenstein films — the scientist who goes too far. The characters played by Lee and Cushing, half brothers, have a less-than-friendly relationship. This always seems the case with the actors, whether it's Dracula vs. Van Helsing or their competition in the previous one, Horror Express (1972). Cushing is always the more emotional one while Lee is always cold & calculating.


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BoG's Score: 6.5 out of 10


BoG
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Bud Brewster
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Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 17020
Location: North Carolina

PostPosted: Sun Sep 19, 2021 3:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Here's a great double feature, complete with vintage drive-in "welcome messages", two terrific trailers, an Ant and the Aardvark cartoon, and then the double feature!


"So, get comfortable, folks! Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!" Very Happy

Enjoy!
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CUSHING/LEE DRIVE-IN DOUBLE FEATURE - THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD and THE CREEPING FLESH


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)
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