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:

19th century | brother brother relationship | flashback | experiment | escape | 

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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:

Thorpe House, Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Egham, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tigon Pictures, World Film Services

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Freddie Francis took over directing from Don Sharp at short notice.

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Goofs

When Emmanuel comes in out of the heavy rainstorm, his hair is dry and his cloak shows only a few wet spots.

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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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Alternate Versions

Early UK cinema versions were cut by the BBFC to remove a shot of a sailor's slashed throat. All later releases were uncut.

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Connections

Edited into Out of this World Super Shock Show (2007)

User Reviews

One of Tigon's best films

Tigon was one of the top English Horror film producers of it's era. This, I believe was their last horror film release. It is well produced, acted, directed,scored and pretty much top drawer in all departments especially at a time when the horror boom had peaked and production qualities were slipping. The plot is Lovecraft like in terms of it revolving around previous race being discovered and evil being considered as a scientific problem not a religious one. One of the best things about the script is that the back stories of the characters all figure into the monster story as it evolves in clever and even kind of meaningful ways. Lee and Cushing are both in good form here as is the uneven director Freddie Francis who shows enough horror to make it work without showing too much to give away the limits of his budget. He knows when to move the camera, when to cut, etc. The monster is memorable as is the music score. Lots of fun, this film, but not in a stupid way. The recent DVD release is no frills but features a good looking and sounding version of the film. If you like British period horror films and HP LOVECRAFT definitely find and enjoy this well made and very well written film.