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Asylum

  • 1972
  • PG
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
7.6K
YOUR RATING
Asylum (1972)
Watch Trailer [OV]
Play trailer1:28
1 Video
58 Photos
Horror

In order to secure a job at a mental institution, a young psychiatrist must interview four patients inside the asylum.In order to secure a job at a mental institution, a young psychiatrist must interview four patients inside the asylum.In order to secure a job at a mental institution, a young psychiatrist must interview four patients inside the asylum.

  • Director
    • Roy Ward Baker
  • Writer
    • Robert Bloch
  • Stars
    • Barbara Parkins
    • Richard Todd
    • Sylvia Syms
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    7.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roy Ward Baker
    • Writer
      • Robert Bloch
    • Stars
      • Barbara Parkins
      • Richard Todd
      • Sylvia Syms
    • 100User reviews
    • 82Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 1:28
    Watch Trailer [OV]

    Photos58

    Asylum (1972)
    Peter Cushing in Asylum (1972)
    Asylum (1972)
    Herbert Lom, Patrick Magee, Barbara Parkins, Sylvia Syms, and Richard Todd in Asylum (1972)
    Peter Cushing in Asylum (1972)
    Asylum (1972)
    Peter Cushing, Barbara Parkins, Sylvia Syms, Richard Todd, and James Villiers in Asylum (1972)
    Peter Cushing, Britt Ekland, Charlotte Rampling, Herbert Lom, Patrick Magee, Barbara Parkins, Robert Powell, Sylvia Syms, and Richard Todd in Asylum (1972)
    Asylum (1972)
    Peter Cushing in Asylum (1972)
    Britt Ekland in Asylum (1972)
    James Villiers in Asylum (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Barbara Parkins
    Barbara Parkins
    • Bonnie (segment "Frozen Fear")
    Richard Todd
    Richard Todd
    • Walter (segment "Frozen Fear")
    Sylvia Syms
    Sylvia Syms
    • Ruth (segment "Frozen Fear")
    Peter Cushing
    Peter Cushing
    • Smith (segment "The Weird Tailor")
    Barry Morse
    Barry Morse
    • Bruno (segment "The Weird Tailor")
    Ann Firbank
    Ann Firbank
    • Anna (segment "The Weird Tailor")
    John Franklyn-Robbins
    John Franklyn-Robbins
    • Stebbins (segment "The Weird Tailor")
    Britt Ekland
    Britt Ekland
    • Lucy (segment "Lucy Comes to Stay")
    Charlotte Rampling
    Charlotte Rampling
    • Barbara (segment "Lucy Comes to Stay")
    James Villiers
    James Villiers
    • George (segment "Lucy Comes to Stay")
    Megs Jenkins
    Megs Jenkins
    • Miss Higgins (segment "Lucy Comes to Stay")
    Herbert Lom
    Herbert Lom
    • Byron (segment "Mannikins of Horror")
    Patrick Magee
    Patrick Magee
    • Dr. Rutherford (segment "Mannikins of Horror")
    Robert Powell
    Robert Powell
    • Dr. Martin (segment "Mannikins of Horror")
    Geoffrey Bayldon
    Geoffrey Bayldon
    • Max (segment "Mannikins of Horror")
    Frank Forsyth
    Frank Forsyth
    • Asylum Gatekeeper (segment "Mannikins of Horror")
    • (uncredited)
    Daniel Johns
    Daniel Johns
    • Otto the Dummy (segment "The Weird Tailor")
    • (uncredited)
    Sylvia Marriott
    Sylvia Marriott
    • Asylum Head Nurse (segment "Mannikins of Horror")
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Roy Ward Baker
    • Writer
      • Robert Bloch
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Shot in 24 days.
    • Goofs
      When Bonnie is being chased by a severed arm crawling along the floor, a crew member's hand is visible, holding the arm to make it appear as if it is moving.
    • Quotes

      [Byron shows Dr. Martin the dolls he's been making]

      Byron: These are not ordinary figures. The eyes were made to see. Inside each skull is a perfectly proportioned brain, perfectly capable of functioning.

      Dr. Martin: You talk about them as if they were alive.

      Byron: Hm. That's the final step.

    • Connections
      Featured in Stephen King's World of Horror (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      A Night on Bald Mountain
      (uncredited)

      Music by Modest Mussorgsky

      Arranged by Douglas Gamley

    User reviews100

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Entertaining British horror anthology.
    Roy Ward Baker directs this horror anthology from the pen of macabre master Robert Bloch. Dr. Martin (Robert Powell) is a psychiatrist who wishes to work at an asylum for the incurably insane. In order to gain employment he is set a task by the house chieftain Dr. Rutherford (Patrick Magee) whereby he must discover the identity of a former doctor-turned-patient. Dr. Martin speaks to four different patients in an attempt to discover who used to be the psychiatrist and each patient relates to him their own particular terrifying story.

    Robert Bloch, the man responsible for writing the novel of one of horror’s greatest movies, ‘Psycho’ (1960), writes for us four intriguing and pleasurable short horror pieces bound together wonderfully in the confines of an asylum. The film (produced by Amicus studios and now available in the UK in a wonderful box set) has a distinct feeling of a Hammer Horror production to it. The emphasis is on the story and artistic merit rather than cheap shocks and Roy Ward Baker does an excellent job throughout the production of building tension so that each shock has a desirable effect on the viewer. Each segment benefits from a marvellous cast which features the undeniable talents of the legendary Peter Cushing in ‘The Weird Taylor’ and the beautiful Britt Ekland in ‘Lucy Comes to Stay’. Britt Ekland would go on to co-star as the seductive landlord’s daughter Willow in the classic British horror ‘The Wicker Man’ just one year later.

    The various segments themselves vary in quality, although not too dramatically. The opening segment, ‘Frozen Fear’ is a deliciously campy story about a man whose murdered wife seeks revenge on him and his lover. This particular segment may be a little too silly for some horror fans but it works as a perfect mood setter for the rest of the movie. The directorial style is what makes this segment worth watching. There are some wonderfully flowing shots which seek to give the short segment a distinctly unsettling edge despite the short falls of the script and story. A wonderful performance from Barbara Parkins of ‘Valley of the Dolls’ (1967) fame in the role of Bonnie caps the segment exquisitely and the climatic scene back in the asylum following the story give the segment an overall horrific nature.

    This segment is followed by ‘The Weird Taylor’ which stars Peter Cushing as a devastated father who turns to the occult to resurrect his deceased son. He enlists the help of Bruno (Barry Morse), a taylor desperately in need of money, to make for him a suit to specific instructions. This segment is possibly the weakest of the four yet remains enthralling as the viewer cannot help but wonder just where this particular story is headed. Once again Roy Ward Baker’s direction during this segment is powerful as he creates a dark and despairing atmosphere despite the limitations of time and the story. Cushing’s performance is certainly memorable as is Barry Morse’s. The climax of the story is well portrayed but is unfortunately harmed by an air of unnecessary camp. Still, ‘The Weird Taylor’ is entertaining nonetheless but may be off-putting due to its overly slow nature.

    Up next is ‘Lucy Comes to Stay’ which tells the story of a young girl (Charlotte Rampling as Barbara) who apparently has been recently released from a mental institution for her schizophrenia. She is still haunted by her imaginary friend Lucy (Britt Ekland) who soon makes an appearance and convinces her to leave the safety of her brother’s house. Murder and mayhem follow and the despairing Barbara reaches breaking point pretty quickly. This particular segment works more on the basis of the storyline rather than direction as there is little in the way of atmospheric build-up. Britt’s on-screen presence is commanding and powerful and her portrayal of a horror villain is so good that one wishes this segment had been made into an entire feature length movie as opposed to the short segment that it is. The shock scenes are blended into the story seamlessly with a superb accompanying soundtrack. This is my favourite of all the segments.

    The film finally finishes with ‘Manikins of Horror’ where a former doctor believes that he can make and control little dolls. This segment takes place wholly back in the asylum and unlike the previous three stories there are no flashbacks to past events. This segment is possibly the most original of the stories and could even be possible influence for ‘Child’s Play’ (1988). Unfortunately, the story falls short as it becomes hard for one to suspend their disbelief yet the segment works as an excellent precursor to the genuinely surprising and shocking ending. Undeniably camp yet strangely intriguing this is a fitting ending to a generally entertaining horror film. For those who like horror anthologies and Hammer-style productions, one cannot go too far wrong with this entertaining British horror film. The film fails to maintain quality from start to finish but does not fail to entertain, surprise or shock. To sum up - an entertaining piece of horror anthology fare with some excellent direction, beautifully atmospheric scenarios and accompanying music and a strong cast who all give credible performances. My rating for ‘Asylum’ (1972) – 7/10.
    helpful•59
    2
    • Snake-666
    • Feb 2, 2004

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    FAQ1

    • Are these based on short stories?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 17, 1972 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • House of Crazies
    • Filming locations
      • New Lodge, Winkfield, Berkshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Harbour Productions Limited
      • Amicus Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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