Asylum (1972)

Once upon a time, late night TV in the UK used to be the best place to see 60s and 70s Brit horrors. Indeed, for many, it was the only way to see more obscure flicks from the likes of Amicus and Hammer, titles that weren't actually available on video or later on, DVD. The only downside was the alarming regularity that some titles cropped up - one of which was Asylum.

Yet since those heady days of late night horrors in the school holidays, Asylum is a film I've neither owned or seen, but it's one I remember fondly. So in the interests of research, I reacquainted myself with it this week. It didn't disappoint.

Not that there's anything groundbreaking about Asylum, it's just pure fun, a typical Amicus compendium of tales loosely held together by a single theme - residents in the 'Asylum'. Robert Powell (yes, that one) is Dr Martin, the new doc at the stately home. He's arrived in the nick of time - the senior consultant has gone mad, got himself locked up with the rest of the patients. Standing in for him is Dr Rutherford (the ever-dependable Patrick Magee). he sets Dr Martin a task - hear the stories of all the patients, then pick out who is the doctor. So upstairs he goes to meet the orderly, who introduces him to the patients, who then tell the doctor their tales.

And there are some real gems. First up, a man murders his wife for another woman, but the dismembered body comes back to carry out its revenge on her love rival. Secondly, a stranger (Peter Cushing) asks a poverty-stricken tailor to make a suit during the night - not knowing what this suit will be used for. The third story focuses on Barbara (Charlotte Rampling) and her 'friend' Lucy (Britt Ekland), the former being looked after by her brother after mental problems, the latter making life just a little more 'interesting'. Finally, we meet Byron (Herbert Lom), whose hobby is to make miniature people - including one of himself, able to carry out his will.

None would stretch to a full feature, but together they combine as a damn entertaining quartet. All of the stories are pretty obvious, with perhaps the exception of the final 'Byron' tale - perhaps on the finest bits of comic horror you'll ever see. All I'll say is check out the matching hairstyles, glorious. There's even a tasty twist at the end, again you might guess it well before the end, but it's well executed nonetheless.

Great cast, good stories, nice twist, some great 70s interiors and 88 minutes of solid, Roy Ward Baker-directed entertainment. Just a shame you can't actually buy it new in the UK right now. Take my tip - hire it from somewhere like Lovefilm, you'll not be disappointed.

Comments

[Aman]

hi,

I am from India and want to purchase this VCD can you help me how do i get it here and whats the rate of one.

Waiting for your reply

Thanks