Monday 19 October 2015

EUREKA THE SKULL BLU RAY AND DVD COMPETITION PLUS FULL REVIEW


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

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!


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


Review Source: HERE
Images and Design: Marcus Brooks

 Please come join us at our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: HERE 
EUREKA AND THE PETERAPPRECIATIONSOCIETY.COM BRINGS YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN A PETER CUSHING AMICUS HORROR CLASSIC 
ON DUAL BLU RAY AND DVD RELEASE!
- See more at: http://petercushingblog.blogspot.co.uk/#sthash.sYCf2IE0.dpuf

Sunday 18 October 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GORGON : 51 YEARS OLD TODAY!


A GREAT reason to celebrate today.... Hammer Films THE GORGON IS 51 YEARS OLD TODAY! And he is our friend, JOSHUA KENNEDY, -The Gorgon Super Fan,- having just watched his favorite film, aged NINE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Megaera, Professor Heitz, Dr. Namaroff, Prof. Karl Meister ...and ALL!


It's true... Barbara Shelley, DIDN'T actually play her character's alter-ego, Megaera, THE Gorgon. That role was filled by actress and dancer, Prudence Hyman. A very interesting actress and person. If you'd like to find out more, just click this link, which will fast track you to the feature elsewhere on our website: HERE

 
Plus there are more images and press stills AND you can sample the artwork of Brian Lewis, Goring and Cuyas in the HOUSE OF HAMMER magazine issue 11 and their telling in comic strip of THE GORGON Hammer horror! You'll find that HERE 


Join US at our OFFICIAL PCAS Facebook Fan Page Right: HERE 

Saturday 17 October 2015

SKULLS ROLLER SKATES AND IMAGINATION : WIN EUREKAS AMICUS NIGHTMARE 'THE SKULL' HERE


Anyone watching Amicus Films, THE SKULL starring the grand masters of terror, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee would not fail to be impressed by some of pretty nifty camerawork and special effects. Effects and trickery, that one wouldn't expect to see on a film with such a limited budget.

So, just how did they achieve that floating camera effect? This was way before the arrival of the 'Steadicam', a tool so commonly used in films today, one no longer takes notice of those effortless guiding tracking shots. What looked great and was a groundbreaker, on the steps of the city hall, where Sylvester 'Rocky' Stallone runs through the city and leaps up those steps, the camera following him ALL the way, is now taken for granted. But back in 1965, the laying of tracks and hiring of camera cranes took time and money. Money and time that this film, did not have.


Well, take a look at the photograph above. That's director Freddie Francis, award winning cinematographer, who even back then, obviously stood by the old adage of, 'I wouldn't ask you to do anything, that I wasn't prepared to do myself! The camera was required to glide and give us an effortless 'Point-of-View' shot, as if the camera were the 'Skull' floating across the room. For this, to be achieved cheaply and effectively, Francis strapped on a pair of rollerskates, had a simple harness made, which secured the camera to his chest. With a gentle push from an assistant, and another holding him steady, both camera and camera operator as one, glided across the hard studio floor, as if on ice!

If you remember, the camera while floating was actually looking THROUGH the 'Skull's' eye socket! For this, Francis had a simple light weight 'mask' made of paper-mache, bolted onto a framework, that held the sockets, in front of the camera lens. Enabling, the camera to see THROUGH the sockets!

Cheap? Yes. Eccentric looking? Yes. Effective? Certainly. And THE SKULL looks all the better for it. They say, 'Necessity is the mother of invention!'. Indeed, when there is no money in the pot, the script is 30 mins short, skilled technicians like Freddie Francis, found a way.


Amicus films, THE SKULL is a master class in how to get the most from your director and cast, with as little money as possible. Producer, Milton Subotsky made sure his productions that had casts, that some main features, with triple his budget, could only dream of. The secret, was to write characters that only appeared in three or four scenes, before you either kill them off or they leave the action. This is how THE SKULL boasts a cast of Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Michael Gough, Patrick Wymark, Jill Bennett, Nigel Green and Peter Woodthorpe. The wonderful thing about Amicus productions is, they may not have cost much to make, but I suspect every penny, and we may well be talking about pennies here... is up there on the screen!


You can WIN one of THREE copies up for grabs in our SKULL COMPETITION. A brand new, remastered BLU RAY and DVD DUO package, from EUREKA! Check out the panel below, answer the question and send it to us at theblackboxclub@gmail.com ... and try your luck. Like Freddie and the effects team, have a go, you could be right. You might just crack it!


THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED HERE ARE THE WINNERS!


You can PREORDER your copy of THE SKULL blu ray/dvd dual edition RIGHT NOW from AMAZON.CO UK. HERE 


Join us at our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE. Just CLICK HERE 

EUREKA AMICUS CUSHING LEE HORROR CLASSIC THE SKULL BLU RAY AND DVD RELEASE COMPETITION


THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED! SEE WINNERS AT
 BOTTOM OF FEATURE!

EUREKA AND THE PETERAPPRECIATIONSOCIETY.COM BRINGS YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN A PETER CUSHING AMICUS HORROR CLASSIC 
ON DUAL BLU RAY AND DVD RELEASE!

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 


EUREKA THE SKULL BLU RAY AND DVD DUAL PACKAGE SPEC:

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 & author Kim Newman


Reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork
Limited Edition Collector’s Booklet.

You can place a PREORDER for EUREKA's 'THE SKULL' Dual Blu Ray and DVD release at Amazon.co.uk : QUICK LINK: HERE 




Join Us At The Official Facebook Page of the Peter Cushing Appreciation
Society Website : HERE

Thursday 15 October 2015

MORE HALLOWEEN GOODIES TO WIN! THE SKULL BLU RAY & DVD COMBO FROM EUREKA AT PCAS


THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED! SEE WINNERS AT BOTTOM OF THIS FEATURE!

We have LOADS MORE GREAT Prizes and Giveaways for you in the next two weeks leading up to Halloween!! AND SO... on to our next HALLOWEEN COMPETITION which launches TOMORROW.. 16th October 2015. We have THREE copies up for grabs, courtesy of EUREKA, a duo package that contains both the BLU RAY and DVD of Peter Cushing's SUPERB Amicus film, 'THE SKULL' also starring Christopher Lee. Look out for the COMPETITION TOMORROW. It's open to anyone, anywhere... and closes in five days time. So... who's up for a copy??

 THE TRAILER TO 'THE SKULL'




EUREKA'S THE SKULL isn't released until OCTOBER 26th...BUT hyou can place your ORDER HERE NOW:  Here's the spec of what both the DVD  and BLU RAY contains:


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 & author Kim Newman
 

Reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork
Limited Edition Collector’s Booklet.





It's a real smashing release. The film has excellent audio and visuals, plus includes a great LIMITED EDITION booklet keep sake too. 
JOIN US TOMORROW!

AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM : Amazon http://amzn.to/1MvMRFf 


The Story Behind THE SKULL: 
After making a number of successful ‘Hammer Horrors’ in the early sixties, Director and Academy Award winning cinematographer Freddie Francis (Paranoiac, Tales From the Crypt, Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors) moved to the fledgling Amicus Productions and produced an incredible run of horror titles that would make them the only studio able to rival the ascendant Hammer Pictures during the peak years of British horror filmmaking. Of these films, the most chilling is The Skull.


Peter Cushing stars as Dr. Christopher Maitland, a writer and collector of occult items (with a preference for those with a somewhat macabre history), who is offered the chance to purchase a highly expensive and unusual item – the skull of the Marquis de Sade. Warned against obtaining the item by fellow collector (Christopher Lee in a rare non-villainous role), the skull’s influence draws Maitland in, madness and death soon follow…


Adapted from a short story by Robert Bloch (Psycho) and featuring a score by avant-garde composer Elisabeth Lutyens, The Skull is one of the most expertly crafted British horror movies of its era. Eureka Entertainment is proud to present The Skull in a special Dual Format edition.



Join Us By Clicking: HERE

GUILLERMO DEL TORO PAYS TRIBUTE TO CUSHING IN CRIMSON PEAK WITH MIA WASIKOWSKA


How wonderful that director, Guillermo del Toro has named the lead character in his new film, 'Crimson Peak'.....Edith Cushing! She is played by the very beautiful, Mia Wasikowska. We have always known that del Toro is something of a Uber Peter Cushing fan, having been responsible for hoovering up some of the more exclusive and 'pricey' items in the Peter Cushing Auctions of the 1990's and in recent times. Still, it's an example of 'the Cushing Effect' still making the news and many new fans world wide, cultures and ages....



Join Us At Our Official Facebook Fan Page:HERE 
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