I have to admit I'd never heard of Horror Express until the Blu-ray was announced a few months ago. I'm a huge fan of both Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, have sought out most of their Hammer and Amicus horror endeavors on DVD over the last dozen years or so. Whether they're battling each other in films like the Horror of Dracula or pooling their considerable resources in tales like The Hound of the Baskervilles, there isn't a screen duo around with better chemistry or devotion to their craft. So just the prospect of an unseen scarefest featuring the two aboard a turn-of-the-century transcontinental train was all the incentive I needed to hop on board.
Directed by Spanish filmmaker Eugenio Martin, 1972's Horror Express opens in China circa 1906 and tells the story of Sir Alexander Stanton (Lee), a British anthropologist who's seeking transport of a mysterious unearthed creature aboard the Trans-Siberian Express. While arguing with the station manager over passage, Stanton encounters fellow scientist Dr. Wells (Cushing) who's also seeking a spot on the train for himself, an assistant and his vast collection of specimens. The two are cordial but it's obvious they aren't friends, more like competitors.
Before boarding, a local thief is found dead next to the crate housing Stanton's discovery, his eyes boiled over white. When Stanton convinces the train's inspector (Julio Pena) that the crate contains nothing more than fossils, the voyage gets under way, but it's not long before the creature escapes and more bodies with hard-boiled eyes begin piling up. As Stanton and Wells investigate, they learn the creature is wiping its victims' brains clean of knowledge and transferring itself between passengers in an attempt to flee the train and ultimately this world.
Like most European horror films of the '70s, Gothic atmosphere and shock value supersede character and story in Horror Express and as a result it's not the best work Cushing and Lee have ever done. Both, however, exhibit their trademark professionalism and genuinely seem to enjoy playing off one another. The film is well paced and features several eclectic characters (played mostly by stars of Spanish cinema), none of whom is more amusing than the Russian Cossack officer played by Telly Savalas who shows up an hour into film and hams it up with such vigor he should have two slices of rye bread on either side of him.
Newly released on Blu-ray by cult-film distributor Severin Films, Horror Express sports a new 1080p transfer that's quite satisfying, especially on a larger 16:9-enhanced screen. Source color is pretty muted in this film so don't expect eye-popping clarity, but the 1.66:1 presentation is smooth and devoid of any distracting debris for the most part and makes for a pleasant viewing experience. (Note: I also tested the included anamorphic DVD and the image is fairly comparable to the Blu-ray, albeit a bit softer.)
Both the Blu-ray and DVD feature a Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track and dialog along with composer John Cacavas' memorable score are crisp at minimal levels.
The extras are relatively engaging and include a spirited introduction by Fangoria editor Chris Alexander, new interviews with Eugenio Martin and John Cacavas and a 1973 feature-length audio interview with Peter Cushing that plays like a commentary track while you watch the film.
Horror Express may not be Cushing and Lee's finest hour, but if you're a fan of the two or enjoy atmospheric European horror films, it isn't a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Horror Express (Spain, 1972)
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack; Released by Severin Films, Nov 29, 2011
Running Time: 97 minutes
Video Specs: Anamorphic 1.66:1/ AVC Encoded @ Average 17 mbps
Audio Specs: English Dolby Digital 2.0; Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0
SRP: $29.98 ($17.99 @ Amazon.com)
Picture: B
Sound: B
Extras: B
