Horror Express (1973)

Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas star in this classic and highly enjoyable horror film. German R2 VZ-Handels DVD.

 

In 1960s there was a massive boom in Gothic horror, with dozens films being produced in America, England, Germany and Italy - however, Spain was largely left behind, a combination of a repressive government under General Franco, and a general culture that eschewed most of the myths and legends that formed the basis for gothic horror. Spanish cult horror cinema only really began to emerge in the 1970s with films like Paul Naschy's Werewolf Shadow (1971) and Amando de Ossorio's Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971), but it was very popular, and within a few years the industry had grown enough to mount a large internation co-production...

The English Professor Alexander Saxton (Christopher Lee) has been exploring in the remote mountains of China, and recovers what he believes to be an ancient fossil, possibly the long saught missing link that would prove evolution. Arriving in Peking to board the Trans-Siberian Express back to Europe, he encounters his old sparring partner, Doctor Wells (Peter Cushing). While at the station, a pick pocket tries to sneak a peek at Saxton's crate, but is soon found dead, his eyes a lifeless white. On board the train, Saxton is very defensive over the contents of his crate, so Wells asks the porter to drill a hole in the box during the night and take a peek, but soon the porter is discovered dead, inside the crate, with the contents gone - moving around somewhere on board the train...!

 
Despite its rather daft sounding premise, Horror Express avoids becoming a typical 'stalk and slash' horror film and instead retains the atmosphere of the classic Hammer horrors. Accordingly, most of the emphasis is on the two British scientists trying to figure out what is going on and how to save the day. The setting aboard the Trans-Siberian Express is very clever, explaining why the train never has to stop at stations en-route, although there are a few noticable plot holes especially at the film's climax. The story generally gels well, with a good balance between humour and some light scares, and enough characterisation to make you care about the fate of the passengers. The film is quite quickly paced, especially compared to most of the traditional gothic horror films, and it certainly never drags, building to a very effective conclusion.

Director Eugenio Martín was more at home in the Spaghetti Western genre, but he does a good job from the very start of the film, with an almost avant-guarde opening title sequence, and he maintains a dark and claustrophobic atmosphere aboard the train. The shots of the monster in particular are very well done, keeping it in shadow to retain its mystery but showing enough to keep it interesting. Obviously blessed with a decent budget, the sets and the special effects shots are very effective, although some of the shots of the train betray its model origins. The all important soundtrack, from the American television compser John Cacavas is an electronically enhanced light orchestral score, in keeping with many of the Spanish horror films from the time, and it suits the film perfectly.


This film marks one of the final pairings of the classic horror partnership, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Christopher Lee had made his big break with Hammer Horror in Britain, but during the 1960s traveled widely, appearing in films across Europe - he gives yet another strong performance here as the rather arrogant Professor Saxton, managing to keep the balance between being unfriendly, and unlikeable. Peter Cushing had remained in Britain during the 1960s due to his wife's illness, despite the decline in gothic horror during the period, and this was one of his first films after her death. Amazingly he still gives a superb performance, delivering the film's best line of dialogue with impeccable comedy timing and tone. Before becoming famous as Kojak, Telly Savalas spent several years in Europe in a variety of exploitation and Euro-cult movies, including Mario Bava's Lisa and the Devil (1973) - he only gets a brief appearance here as a Cossack who is summoned onto the train, but is certainly memorable. A few other familiar faces, including the Spanish horror regular, the beautiful red-haired Helga Liné (Horror Rises from the Tomb (1973)) and Julio Peña (the doomed coroner from the opening of Werewolf Shadow) make appearances, with good performances all round

All text in this review written by Timothy Young - 16th August 2007. Part of Horror September 2.
Text from this review not to be used without authorization.

Please contact: