HORROR EXPRESS

UK, 1973, 100 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Telly Savalas.
Directed by Gene Martin.

Hammer Studios' kind of material but made in Spain. It boasts Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing from Hammer in its cast and they go through their usual paces. Surprisingly Telly Savalas makes an appearance. It is the old-fashioned material about explorers in the East bringing back ancient relics which come destructively alive. Quite a reasonable example of its kind.

1. Good horror film, enjoyable, interesting? Quality?

2. The conventions of the horror film? Mysterious creature, terrorising and killing? The overtones of outer space science-fiction, the abominable snowman etc? The appeal? The British stars? A Spanish-British? collaboration?

3. The structure of the film with the train journey? The genre of the train journey, the momentum, suspense, the variety of passengers? How an enjoyable an example? The blending of trains and horror?

4. The initial Chinese background and its plausibility? Early twentieth century scientific expeditions? The remoteness of China, the missing link? The presentation of the very British scientist? their jargon, expectations, rivalries? Christopher Lee pitted against Peter Cushing?

5. The focus on the creature, the make-up department, the suggestions at the beginning, the box at the station, on the train? The look of the creature? The bloodiness of the murders? The absorbing of memory and the plan for escape? The plausibility of the outer space explanation? The taking over of various characters: the policeman, the guard, Miss Jones, the engineer, the Rasputin type priest? What kind of a creature was it by the end of the film? How interesting an idea, creation of suspense?

6. The atmosphere of death, horror, bloodthirsty gore? Appropriate, exploited?

7. How was this balanced by the characterisation of Saxon, Wells, Miss Jones? The discussions, rivalries, research? Wells starting things by his investigation?

8. The contribution of Kazan and the Cossacks?

9. The autopsy sequences, the focus on the eyes, the understanding of the power?

10. The crash and saving people?

11. How entertaining the plot, the presentation of deadpan dialogue, technical achievement?