The Creeping Flesh (1973)

A Victorian-age scientist returns to London with his paleontological bag-of-bones discovery from Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately, when exposed to water, flesh returns to the bones ... See full summary »

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Peter Spenceley (original screenplay), Jonathan Rumbold (original screenplay)

Stars:

Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Lorna Heilbron

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Lee	...	James Hildern
Peter Cushing	...	Emmanuel Hildern
Lorna Heilbron	...	Penelope
George Benson	...	Waterlow
Kenneth J. Warren	...	Lenny
Duncan Lamont	...	Inspector
Harry Locke	...	Barman
Hedger Wallace	...	Doctor Perry
Michael Ripper	...	Carter
Catherine Finn	...	Emily
Robert Swann	...	Young Aristocrat
David Bailie	...	Young Doctor
Maurice Bush	...	Karl
Tony Wright	...	Sailor
Marianne Stone	...	Female Assistant

Storyline

A Victorian-age scientist returns to London with his paleontological bag-of-bones discovery from Papua New Guinea. Unfortunately, when exposed to water, flesh returns to the bones unleashing a malevolent being on the scientist's family and friends.

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Plot Keywords:

scientist | skeleton | blood | discovery | reincarnation | 

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Taglines:

A terrifying journey through the nightmare worlds of evil, insanity and terrible revenge.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1973 (UK)

Also Known As:

Auferstehung des Grauens

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tigon Pictures, World Film Services

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The final film of Harry Locke.

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Quotes

James Hildern: Unfortunately, in the state of society as it exists today, we are not permitted to experiment on human beings. Normal human beings.

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Connections

References The Skull (1965)

User Reviews

Great Horror Fun!

Throw in Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Hammer director Freddie Francis, a wonderful story about the found remains of a giant beast, gothic, Victorian sets and costumes, an eerie score, a wonderfully ironic and unexpected ending, and the philosophical question about the nature of evil...and you have The Creeping Flesh, and one HELL of a good film! The cast is superb, and this is probably one Of Cushing's best roles in the 70s as a good-natured, yet-determined anthropologist seeking to rid humanity of evil through the aid of some giant skeletal remains found in New Guinea that fleshes out with water contact. The plot is interesting...and complex...and a bit like Swiss Cheese...yet it is great fun in the hands of Francis(underrated as a director in my humble opinion!) Lee is as ever cold and austere and a joy to behold. The rest of the cast is quite good. The sets are lavish and the costumes very Victorian. The skeleton itself is most impressive! A wonderful way to spend the evening and a wonderful ending for the viewer unawares!