Cult Favorite “Horror Express” Rolls on to Blu-Ray from Severin

Discuss screen pairing of actors Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, and most well watched movie fans giddily summon up ghoulish, Gothic titles like "Horror Of Dracula" or "Curse of Frankenstein." Lee and Cushing acted in many a supernatural fright fest for iconic British film studio Hammer, and also did a few for rival producer Amicus, like "I, Monster."

However, a little Spanish sci-fi horror flick is seldom recalled as the weirdest, coolest and down right scariest Lee and Cushing effort. Crafted on a low budget and bolstered by a multinational cast of British, Spanish and Americans, "Horror Express" has morphed into a fondly remembered cult classic. Its reputation only improves as its audience grows. Now, Severin Films has released it on Blu-Ray, complete with a hearty collection of extra goodies.

"Horror Express" plays a bit like "The Thing" - both 1951 and 1982 versions - where people are attacked by a creature in an unforgiving arctic environ. Like sci-fi horror classic, "Alien", there's a claustrophobic feel as the monster ramps up carnage. Primal elements of survival, humanity's scientific advancement traded for a monster's escape, and eerie glimpses into our ancient past make it an engagingly familiar treat for horror and sci-fi lovers alike, yet it still carves out an original place all its own.

Video

Unfortunately the video, while better than previous home video versions, including a respectable 2000 DVD release from Image Entertainment, isn't fantastic. The issue, as far as I can tell, isn't the transfer onto blu-ray, but a lack of restoration or re-mastering of the source material. There's no discernible restoration at all - certainly no great clean-up of debris, specks, breaks and other distracting bits which mar a fair amount of the film's segments. A tense, dramatic scene between 'Mad Monk' Pujardov (Alberto de Mendoza) and Inspector Mirov hums along in fine quality, then a big film break comes along to take you out of the 'blu-ray rapture' when experiencing new or restored HD movies.

That said, when HD is good, it sparkles. Color saturation, fine detail and an overall low key pop factor impresses often. It'll be most apparent to those who've seen it play on broadcast, VHS, and various DVD versions over the decades, since its 1972 release. There are several autopsy scenes, where a few unfortunate souls fallen prey to the monster's brain sucking penchant, get their skulls opened and brains exposed. This was always a delightfully, gruesome sight, enhanced now by HD. By far though, the real signature moment of the movie remains the 'eye boiling' scenes. This skin crawling - eye popping - visual rattles all the more disturbingly in Severin's BD transfer.

Audio

The BD offers English 2.0 Dolby Digital Mono and Spanish 2.0 Dolby Stereo tracks. Owing to an international cast and their linguistic skills, and recording limits or shooting locations, everyone's dialogue is just about dubbed or looped. It's all done expertly, and dialogue and sound FX are clear and well mixed - just don't expect thumping bass, sub woofer goodness. The haunting musical score - a whistling ditty you'll never forget - sounds beefy enough.

Extras - Special Features

Extras will please any 'Horror Express' fan or film aficionado. There's a great introduction from Fangoria editor Chris Alexander. Like me, Alexander discovered the film in his youth, and could never let go. His passionate endorsement of this little horror gem is funny and infectious. Director Eugenio Martin is interviewed. While he apologizes that his English is rusty, I understood him fine. It's a nice reminiscing by a creator, and inspiring to learn the movie was dreamed up on the quick, mostly to exploit the company possessing a train used for another production. This really resonated with me. How many CGI props or motion capture files will inspire a producer or director to make an entire film? Glory days of film making by actually filming things is fading, sadly, but just look at what that old school stuff could engender.

A 30 minute peak into the darkness of McCarthyism is provided by producer Bernard Gordon. Blacklisting of artists like writers, directors and actors is something film scholars read about. But seeing a talented film maker like Gordon discussing his own experience is moving and informative. Composer John Cacavas, who wrote that haunting melody, talks about his friendship with Telly Savalas, and his road in Hollywood as a long working musician on loads of other productions. Finally, a wonderful audio interview with Peter Cushing rounds things out. Playing over the film, it's a treat for Cushing fans. Clearly, this man stood as one of the most accomplished actors of his or any generation, and this interview proves what an engaging gentleman he was in real life.

Summary

Severin's done a commendable job in giving "Horror Express" fans a collector's edition of a beloved movie. While the Image DVD served as a decent presentation, there was only an isolated score extra. Severin, while missing the mark with a definitive blu-ray transfer - there's no restoration, or appearance of one - stepped up to the plate with excellent special features. With as low a profile movie as this, and foreign too, these special features shame many big Hollywood feature discs. If they release it again, maybe Severin can properly restore it. Till then, I highly recommend this title for great special features, and an affordable price of about $14.00.