…or may ever want to see him again. 1968’s CORRUPTION is surely the most uncharacteristic movie Cushing ever made. Not that he isn’t his usual dignified self, it’s just that every thing around him seems so whacked out. Actually it’s vice-versa. This is Swinging London ca. 1967 and in this enviornment Cushing seems as out of place as prime rib at a vegan restaurant. That contrast is what gives CORRUPTION its raison d’etre but it remains a difficult film for long time fans of the actor to sit through. That doesn’t make it a bad film just an unpleasant one.
The plot is basically a rehash of the famous 1959 French shocker LES YEUX SANS VISAGE (Eyes Without A Face) in which a plastic surgeon desperately attempts to repair his daughter’s hideously scarred face. In CORRUPTION instead of his daughter it’s Cushing’s beautiful much younger wife (Sue Lloyd) who needs the repair job. After the initial skin graft doesn’t work Cushing is forced to go out and murder women for fresh grafts. Soon the younger wife has younger companions and this eventually leads to a wild finish with an out-of-control laser. And then…well, you’ll just have to see it to find out or look it up which won’t take nearly as long.
Watching CORRUPTION again after 3 years, in lieu of the new Blu Ray/DVD release and after watching countless British horror movies, I discovered what a really remarkable film it is from a technical standpoint. As another reviewer points out in greater detail, the film is beautifully photographed and the compositions of the shots themselves (ie. what’s in the frame) are rather striking. D.O.P. Peter Newbrook would go on to photograph CRUCIBLE OF TERROR (1971) and direct THE ASPHYX (1973).
The new release gives you the choice of the 1968 Columbia Pictures version that played in English speaking countries or the “uncut” European/Japanese version which features additional gore and nudity. Since this year marks the 100th anniversary of Cushing’s birth, the release of CORRUPTION now means that all of his major movies are available in a Region 1 digital format. This Grindhouse release cannot be faulted as it contains loads of extras as well as both versions of the film. It’s now up to you as to whether you want to see it. Top marks for the packaging but not for the content. The poster (for the uncut version) says it all.
The Capsule Critic 