Horror Express (1972)

4 / 5 Apr '10
Tagline: Can it be stopped?
Directed by: Eugenio Martin
Written by: Arnaud d'Usseau, Julian Zimet
Actors include: Christopher Lee, Telly Savalis, Peter Cushing
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Length: 90 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Although I enjoyed the story and the actors and everything I think the cheapness with which this was made hindered the film unfortunately. That being said it's probably Eugenio Martín's most accomplished film but I've enjoyed most I've seen from him. Anyhow this one borrows heavily from The Thing From Another World [The Thing] along with several others but I thought it was quite fun anyhow. A Professor (Christopher Lee) finds some bones that he thinks may be the missing link, so he transports them on the Siberian Express. While on the train he meets his acquaintance Dr. Wells (Peter Cushing) who is very interested in the Professor's specimen. On the way the monster thaws out and starts attacking the passengers and it even takes on their memories! It's pretty thrilling in many ways actually and Lee & Cushing are a treat to watch as always. It's not the most original idea surely, but I thought it was a really entertaining film none the less, definitely worth giving a try to.

Availability:  On DVD

Aquella Casa En Las Afueras (1980) aka That House In The Outskirts

3.5 / 5 Mar '10
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Eugenio Martín
Written by: Antonio Cuevas, J.M. González Castrillo
Actors include: Javier Escrivá, Silvia Aguilar, Alida Valli
Genre: Horror
Length: 95 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Director Eugenio Martín (Una vela para el diablo [It Happened at Nightmare Inn] which is rather similar in feel to this one and his more famous film Horror Express) makes this feel a little like a Spanish version of a Pete Walker film. It's not quite as sadistic as something Walker would give us but it's very dark and serious and something very sinister is going on. Although this is rather slowly paced it's gloomy feel and mysterious plot kept me interested. A rather pregnant woman called Nieves and her older husband Joaquim move out to this house on the outskirts to live on the main floor. The older woman who rented them the house and who lives on site offers to help out Nieves during her pregnancy. Immediately Nieves doesn't like the house, she has the feeling she's been there before but Joaquim feels she's just being strange because of her pregnancy. When some people show up looking for the Doctor the confusion starts to mount... It's actually really well put together as far as the plot goes, it takes quite a while to get going but when it does it's quite the horrific tale. Although it does borrow from some of the popular movies around the time the way this is presented is quite original and I can't think of anything quite like this. The copy I was able to get my mitts on isn't the nicest and I think this does deserve a proper release. Recommended so long as you practice a bit of patience, one of the better Spanish horror films I've come across.

Availability:  This has never been available on DVD as far as I know