Film #281: THE ASPHYX aka SPIRITS OF THE DEAD aka THE HORROR OF THE DEATH

The Asphyx (aka Spirits of the Dead aka The Horror of Death)
3 out of 5 stars
Cameraman-turned-director Peter Newbrook (he shot LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, HOBSON’S CHOICE) does his best to imitate the Hammer Studios look. In fact, many have called this “the best Non-Hammer Hammer film ever made.” A “chasing immortality” film that runs on the slow side, but the mood is still good and the actors never wander into cliché. The problem is… it’s just not Hammer. It’s still a solid rental for those rainy afternoons when you want something creepy and fun. Safe for the kids.