asphyx

By 1973, the venerable Hammer Film studio was headed for disaster. Their patented brand of gothic horror was fast going out of style against more modern films like The Exorcist. It seemed no matter how much blood, how many boobs or how high the budget, nothing would turn the tide. Which probably sealed the theatrical fate of a movie like The Asphyx (1973), which worked within Hammer’s well-defined conventions (science and the supernatural run amok in a Victorian setting) but didn’t have the benefit of a Christopher Lee or Peter Cushing to put on their poster. Yet, as it turns out, the film’s relative obscurity and unconventional menace actually works its favor some 40 years after its release.

The asphyx itself is an invisible spirit (brought to life in the film through a combination of practical puppetry and optical effects) that carries away a person’s soul at the time of death. When a pair of scientists discover a way to capture the little bugger and lock it up in a sealed casket, they’ve inadvertently unlocked the key to immortality. Without the asphyx to carry away one’s soul, you can live forever apparently. But would you want to?

The film takes a long time getting around to that burning question. But luckily, director of photography Freddie Young (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago) is behind the camera making every drawn-out drawing room conversation worthy of an art history class. His work here is simply stunning, especially considering the material is far beneath his talents. And his accomplishments are made even more obvious on Blu-ray. The transfer from Redemption Films is one of the best this year. For Hammer Blu-ray in the pipeline, good luck topping this! The Asphyx certainly isn’t scary, but it is an intriguing idea presented in an uncommonly handsome manner. Extras includes a gallery, trailer and extended US cut of the film which adds about 10 minutes.