El espíritu de la muerte

Life after death - or rather what happens at the moment when our soul leaves our body (if you believe we have a soul that is)? This high brow concept and the capturing of an essence felt a bit like the Hammer horror tropes. I was fortunate enough to buy the restored version of this. The DVD did show the difference between this version and the one previously released - it would be unfair to judge the movie based on that meddled version, which cropped and "Pan&Scan" too.

Anyway, if you are aware of the "classic" horror movies you will have a sense of what to expect. For other viewers it is important to keep in mind that there was a formula and a mood these movies followed. You may feel that they are annoying or boring or something else that is unpleasant to watch. But the art direction, the camera and the acting is spot on - or at least as intended (yes drama baby! You had to have it)

The Asphyx is a 1972 British horror film directed by Peter Newbrook. The film follows a group of scientists in Victorian England who discover a way to capture the asphyx, a mythical creature said to be responsible for death. However, their obsession with capturing the asphyx leads them down a dangerous and deadly path.

One of the most interesting aspects of The Asphyx is its concept. The idea of a mythical creature that is responsible for death is intriguing, and the film explores this concept in a unique and captivating way. The scientists' obsession with capturing the asphyx leads to some truly chilling moments, and the film's exploration of the nature of death is thought-provoking.

The film is also highly entertaining. It's a horror film that manages to be both scary and engaging. The cinematography is well-done, with some truly eerie shots that effectively build tension. The use of practical effects is also impressive, and the film's special effects are still effective today.

However, one of the film's weaknesses is the acting. While some of the performances are strong, others come off as a bit hokey. Some of the dialogue and line delivery can be cheesy and take away from the film's overall impact. This can be especially jarring during some of the more intense moments, which can lose their impact due to the over-the-top acting.

Despite this, The Asphyx is still a highly enjoyable and entertaining horror film. Its concept and execution are strong enough to overcome any acting weaknesses. It's a film that manages to be both intriguing and engaging, with some truly memorable moments. The film's exploration of death and the consequences of human obsession is a theme that still resonates with audiences today, making The Asphyx a horror classic that should not be missed.

Greetings, salutations, and welcome to my considerations and recommendation of The Asphyx.

Story: 1.75/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.75/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.50/2

Total 7.25/10

The concept of this story is superb as it's based on fact. Since the invention of the camera, people have taken photographs of their loved ones. And some have chosen to try and capture the exact moment of death. One such man is Sir Hugo Cunningham. He and two other photographers capture one man's passing and each of the film slides holds the same smudge to the left of the dying man. How could this be? Cunningham believes he's captured the Ancient Greek spirit the Asphyx, which comes to take a person's soul at the moment of death. When he loses his son and fiance in a boating accident, which he captures on his new invention - the moving picture camera, he sees the very same smudge slide into his son's head. Of course, he's now a man on a mission. If the Asphyx is an entity, then can he not capture it, and once caught would that mean the person tethered to it would be immortal?

The writers give the audience a splendidly structured tale of one man's descent into obsession and the revenge that follows. Though many strong and credible characters are created, they're gone too quickly as the writers focus on the two principal individuals. It would've been nice to have more of the relationship between Giles and Christina Cunningham. Though not related, the two have grown up as brother and sister. Giles is adopted. Which is lucky because the couple is in love, or so we're told. More warmth and emotion between them would only have added more potency. Luckily, there's more than enough to keep the viewer enthralled. One example is the hanging scene: We're given different moral viewpoints by the principal characters. Both think hanging is inhuman, and though one cannot watch, the other cannot wait to film the event. Another is the method utilised to capture the Asphyx. These scenes and details are well thought-out and delivered.

The director isn't too exceptional in his cinematography. However, he exploits every moment in the movie superbly. He has a keen eye for good composition and what's required to make the movie work. I especially adored the boating on the river scene. He frames every shot splendidly and captures the beautiful mistiness of the day, which adds a gossamer atmosphere to the segment. And for an early 1970s movie, the special effects are decent enough. They work wonderfully well with the context. Redone with today's CGI, there's every possibility they'd be overcooked. The image's subtleness helps to solidify the idea of an ethereal entity. Sadly, it's these segments that needed capturing better. They required more tension, especially in the first few capture scenes. Sadly, they don't grip the viewer as hard as they should. Another letdown is the soundtrack. Though I liked the classical piece used, by the picture's finale, it was overused. More fitting music was required to fit, and help set, the intended mood of the scenes. It's a soft lilting piece, yet it plays during the finale, where it doesn't fit.

On the whole, the cast is excellent. Though, I believe Robert Powell portraying Giles, undersells his part. I like Powell as an actor. He's usually robust and prominent in his portrayals, but with Giles, it's all a bit wishy-washy. Whereas Robert Stephens as Hugo has a couple of scenes where he makes out like a soldier on the front line and over the top, he goes.

Though The Asphyx doesn't make a must-watch film, it's interesting enough to make it a one-to-watch. The story is pleasantly in-depth and logically structured, making the events easier to believe. The characters are well-written and well-acted. And the direction is a good notch or two above average. If you've not watched this one yet, I suggest you treat yourself and find a copy streaming near you. And should you like Steampunk, take a look-see, and you'll notice a few "roots" in the paraphernalia the scientists use.

Please check out my Absolute Horror and The Final Frontier lists to see where I ranked the movie.

Take Care & Stay Well.

I bought a copy of this thru eBay. It was the old VHS, untouched by digitization. I would recommend that one purchase the newer DVD. I have heard that the color and saturation is much improved.

As for Sir Robert's performance, and Mr. Powell's: Quite extraordinary. Even the effects are quite futurist for the date that this was filmed.

There is a bit of violence, involving two men and a guinea pig, so be aware of some disgust with relation to that. But by far, if you want to be enthralled by Sir Robert, and coo at Powell, you're in for a rare treat. I can't believe this one was out there for so long before I found it! Truly needs to be placed in the "Hall of Horror", since it is nearly on the level of the old Vincent Price works, like "Mask of Red Death" and "The Raven". Get it, and treasure it as one of Sir Robert's few performances still available.

Avoiding death and what happens when we die have been recurring themes throughout all art forms since the dawning of time. Despite the fact that there are a lot of films that handle similar themes, The Asphyx stands out for it's original and intriguing exaction. The film hasn't gained itself the best reputation in the three decades since its release, and it was apparently ignored upon its introduction to the general public. This isn't surprising - The Asphyx takes elements from supernatural horror and there's a little bit of sci-fi involved, but selling this film couldn't have been easy as there's no way to pigeon hole it. The plot focuses on Hugo Cunningham - a man who discovers that when we die, what's called an 'Asphyx' appears. After conducting a few experiments, Hugo presupposes that if one were to capture this Asphyx, then that person would never be able to die. He then proceeds to test the procedure on himself, and after becoming immortal decides he wants his young assistant and daughter; who want to get married, to become immortal also…

The Asphyx is a British film set in Victorian times, and director Peter Newbrook does an excellent job of producing the period setting. The film was obviously made on a budget, and as such it doesn't exactly compete with some of the bigger budget films set around the same time; but still the director gets the point across. The special effects are a little hokey, but they work really well. The main standout where the effects are concerned are with the 'Asphyx' itself, and personally I'd much rather the effects shown here than the CGI rubbish we have nowadays. The acting is decent, with Robert Stephens being the main standout in the lead role, and receiving good support from Robert Powell. Jane Lapotaire is something of a weak link in my opinion as she's a little flat, but it's not too important. The film has a great premise, but in order for a premise to work, it needs a good plot too and this film certainly has that. The film is not predictable for most of its duration, and the drama between the central characters is always interesting enough to hold the audience's attention. The ending is both haunting and memorable, and overall; it has to be said that The Asphyx is a film that deserves more wide recognition!