I have a great fondness for these old Amicus productions, which (along with Hammer films) were a staple of late night TV at the weekends in the early 80s. Now, Second Sight films are releasing a couple of classics this month on special limited edition Blu-rays. The first of which being 1971's "The House that Dripped Blood".
As with most Amicus productions, this is an anthology film, featuring several short films with a wraparound story linking them togethor. This one revolves around a police detective (played by prolific TV actor John Bennet), who is sent to a remote town to investigate the dissapearance of an infamous horror film star who went missing after renting an old lodge.
But he discovers this is not the first person to have come to a mysterious end whilst staying there, as we're treated to 4 short tales involving the house's previous occupants.
The first, "Method for Murder", has horror novelist Deholm Elliot (The Vault of Horror, Raiders of the Lost Ark) suffering a breakdown as he thinks he is being stalked by the killer from his latest novel. Except he might not be imagining things.
The second, "Waxworks" has horror veteran Peter Cushing being strangely drawn to an alluring dummy in a wax musem, that might not be all that it appears to be.
The third segement, "Sweets to the Sweet", sees fellow horror cohort Christopher Lee hiring a private tutor for his daughter, who is alarmed at how overbearing and heavy handed he is with her. But it seems his daughter might not be the sweet, innocent child she first thought.
Which brings us to the final story, "The Cloak" in which John Pertwee (TVs Dr Who, Wurzel Gummidge) is cast in a very different role from his usual comedy, or children's TV fare. Playing a horror movie actor, who purchases a cloak from an antiques dealer (played by his Wurzell Gummidge cohort Geoffrey Bayldon) for use in his latest vampire film, only to find it has a very strange effect when he puts it on.
Written by Robert Bloch (Psycho) and featuring a star studded cast, which also includes horror veteran Ingridd Pitt (The Vampire Lovers, The Wicker Man) and Joss Ackland (Caligula, The Hunt for Red October), the film is presented in an extras laden Blu-Ray, containing the following special features
Audio Commentary with Director Peter Duffell and Author Jonathan Rigby
Audio Commentary with Film Historian and Author Troy Howarth
Interview with Second Assistant Director Mike Higgins
‘A Rated Horror Film’ - Vintage featurette featuring interviews with Director Peter Duffell and Actors Geoffrey Bayldon, IngridPitt and Chloe Franks
Theatrical Trailers
Amicus Radio Spots
Stills Gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Graham Humphreys and original artwork
This being a special limited edition release also contains
Rigid Slipcase Featuring New Artwork by Graham Humphreys
40 page booklet with new essays by Allan Bryce, Jon Towlson and Kat Ellinger
Reversible poster featuring new and original artwork
"The House that Dripped Blood" is released to UK BD 29th July.
Buy the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk
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