There were so many horror films that I first saw at drive-ins in the 1970s, that one needed to be rather special in order for me to remember it. THE ASPHYX certainly qualifies for it contains one of the most original screenplays that I’ve ever encountered in a horror movie. The idea sounds like something out of Arthur Machen or Conan Doyle with the meticulous background attention to detail that you find in the novels of Bram Stoker.
Victorian scientist and local philanthropist Sir Hugo Cunningham (Robert Stephens – THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES), whose hobby is taking photos of “sleeping beauties” (people who have just died – like those in THE OTHERS), discovers the existence of a spirit of death or Asphyx that comes to claim the soul right at the moment of departure. He surmises that if he can somehow find a way to trap this “spirit”, then he can never die. With the assistance of his family he succeeds in his ambition but this leads him on a downward spiral that will cost him and his loved ones dearly.
Along with the highly literate screenplay, THE ASPHYX has amazing production values for what is basically a low-budget film. In addition to meticulous attention to set detail and surroundings (you really feel that you are in the Victorian Era), the movie was photographed by one of England’s premiere cinematographers, Freddie Young, who shot the David Lean epics LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, and DR ZHIVAGO. It is simply gorgeous to look at and the look of the film aids tremendously in the storytelling.
The performances by the rest of the cast are right on the mark especially Robert Powell and Jane Lapotaire as the tragic lovers. I relish this movie because it unfolds like a stately 19th century British novel. Think of it as a horror movie for the DOWNTON ABBEY set. Slow moving and cerebral, it demands a lot from the viewer but those willing to put forth the effort will find THE ASPHYX richly rewarding. This review refers to the ALL DAY ENTERTAINMENT version of a few years back. It has a quality transfer of the uncut version and in the right aspect ratio as well. I haven’t seen the new REDEMPTION DVD but it will be hard pressed to surpass this version.
The Capsule Critic 