THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. HERE ARE THE WINNERS!
EUREKA AND THE PETERAPPRECIATIONSOCIETY.COM BRINGS YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN A PETER CUSHING AMICUS HORROR CLASSIC
ON DUAL BLU RAY AND DVD RELEASE
QUESTION:
EVENT
OCTOBER
26th sees the BLU RAY and DVD release from EUREKA of Amicus films
classic
THE SKULL starring the two grand masters of terror, Peter Cushing and
Christopher Lee. This is the first time that THE SKULL has been
available on BLU RAY in the UK and to celebrate this, EUREKA have
sponsored our competition by providing THREE copies of the DUAL FORMAT
release for you to WIN! This edition contains both the BLU RAY and DVD.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO
To
enter the competition and be in with a chance of winning EUREKA's
EXCLUSIVELY RESTORED release of THE SKULL is correctly ANSWER the
question below. Once you have your answer, just simply send it in an
email to us at: theblackboxclub@gmail.com
QUESTION:
Amicus script writer and producer, Milton Subotsky had a favorite SURNAME he used for his characters in over half a dozen of his films. WHAT WAS THAT SURNAME?
This competition CLOSES on FRIDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2015 at MIDNIGHT GMT. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
You can place a PREORDER for EUREKA's 'THE SKULL' Dual Blu Ray and DVD release at Amazon.co.uk : QUICK LINK: HERE
OVER VIEW:
This is for many the quintessential Amicus film. Adapted for the screen by ‘Mr. Amicus’ himself, Milton Subotsky,
it adheres pretty closely to Robert 'Psycho' Bloch's short story 'The
Skull of the Marquis De Sade' and it is one of Bloch's best. It’s pity
that for many he is still remembered for 'that' novel alone.
SYNOPSIS:
CONTAINS SPOILERS! After the 6-min pre-credit set in the early 19th century, phrenologist Pierre (Maurice Good) robs the grave of the notorious Marquis de Sade and steals his skull. Soon after, he pays the dire consequences…Forward to the present 1965 and we’re at an auction (Michael Gough
appears briefly as the auctioneer). In attendance are two collectors of
objects d’art. It won't be too difficult for you to work out who they
are: Peter Cushing as ‘Dr. Christopher Maitland’ and Christopher Lee
as ‘Sir Matthew Phillips’. Both are keen to acquire a collection of
satanic statuettes. Phillips has more money and outbids Maitland by
offering an absurdly high price for the figures in question. Maitland’s
seedy and snuff taking oppo Marco (Patrick Wymark) also advises
him to hold back, “he's got more money than you have". Perhaps it should
be pointed out that Wymark's ploy with the snuff is tantamount to what
McQueen did with his hat in The Magnificent Seven.
Shortly afterwards Marco arrives at Maitland's period London home and
sells him a book (the life of that debauched libertine, the said
Marquis) bound in human skin! Marco is a supplier of such curiosa and
Maitland is a fevered collector and is “none too fussy” as regards the
provenance of said items. The next day, Marco arrives with a skull
claiming it to be that of de Sade. For this he asks a very high price
but then agrees to accept a much lower offer, hence Maitland suspects it
is a fake. Marco claims he wants to get rid of it as it gives him the
jitters. Pretty soon after, our seedy supplier makes his appointment
with the grim reaper. Maitland visits his old acquaintance Sir Phillips
who, over a game of snooker, informs his colleague that the skull is
genuine enough: “My dear fellow, that skull was stolen from me! And I
advise you to keep well away from it!” Does Maitland heed the
warning? Don't be daft! We all know that no good will come of it. He
then steals the skull from Marco's Soho flat, accidentally killing dodgy
landlord Bert Travers (Peter Woodthorpe) in the process. And now Maitland’s nightmare is just about to begin, including a beautifully done dream sequence.
THE CASTING:
Cushing (who after this was never again billed above Lee) is at his best
as the fevered and tortured occult collector Maitland. A similar role
for him came later in The Creeping Flesh. Second billed Patrick
Wymark has all the best lines including a tasty monologue giving a brief
yet somewhat exaggerated account of the man “whose name has become a
byword for sadism”. And a succulent performance it is too from the
revered stage actor. The late Christopher Lee adds his usual cold and
austere pomposity to the proceedings, who else could get away with it.
Peter Woodthorpe is hilarious as landlord Bert. Stalwarts Nigel Green and Amicus fave Patrick Magee are on hand as the law, though stage actress Jill Bennett is somewhat wasted as Maitland's wife.
SUMMING UP:
Director Freddie Francis has done a sterling job here, and the action seen through the eyes of the skull adds a particularly effective and chilling touch. For these scenes a huge, presumably polystyrene skull was used. John Wilcox's photography did the job amply. You really can feel Cushing's panic through those close-ups! As is usual with the dialogue-hating Subotsky, it is kept to a minimum. Indeed, there is hardly any for the last third of the film. Which must have been a welcome opportunity for the then in-house classical composer Elizabeth Lutyens who very much has to be praised for her score… an integral part of the film's success. The Skull is drenched in atmosphere and its claustrophobic feel (practically no location work or day shots here) only enhances the splendidly spooky vibe throughout. A classic of the genre!
Director Freddie Francis has done a sterling job here, and the action seen through the eyes of the skull adds a particularly effective and chilling touch. For these scenes a huge, presumably polystyrene skull was used. John Wilcox's photography did the job amply. You really can feel Cushing's panic through those close-ups! As is usual with the dialogue-hating Subotsky, it is kept to a minimum. Indeed, there is hardly any for the last third of the film. Which must have been a welcome opportunity for the then in-house classical composer Elizabeth Lutyens who very much has to be praised for her score… an integral part of the film's success. The Skull is drenched in atmosphere and its claustrophobic feel (practically no location work or day shots here) only enhances the splendidly spooky vibe throughout. A classic of the genre!
You can place a PREORDER for EUREKA's 'THE SKULL' Dual Blu Ray and DVD release at Amazon.co.uk : QUICK LINK: HERE
This Dual Format Edition offers the following EXTRAS:
• Exclusively restored 1080p presentation of the film on Blu-ray
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• New video interview with film scholar Jonathan Rigby
• New video interview with critic and author Kim Newman
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork
• Limited Edition Collector's Booklet, featuring an essay by Vic Pratt
• Exclusively restored 1080p presentation of the film on Blu-ray
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• New video interview with film scholar Jonathan Rigby
• New video interview with critic and author Kim Newman
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork
• Limited Edition Collector's Booklet, featuring an essay by Vic Pratt
Review Source: HERE
Images and Design: Marcus Brooks
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EUREKA AND THE PETERAPPRECIATIONSOCIETY.COM BRINGS YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN A PETER CUSHING AMICUS HORROR CLASSIC
ON DUAL BLU RAY AND DVD RELEASE!
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