Horror Express (1972)

In 1906, in China, a British anthropologist discovers a frozen prehistoric creature and must transport it to Europe by train.

Director:

Eugenio Martín (as Gene Martin)

Writers:

Arnaud d'Usseau (screenplay), Julian Zimet (screenplay)

Stars:

Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Alberto de Mendoza

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Lee	...	Prof. Sir Alexander Saxton
Peter Cushing	...	Dr. Wells
Alberto de Mendoza	...	Father Pujardov
Silvia Tortosa	...	Countess Irina Petrovska
Julio Peña	...	Inspector Mirov
Ángel del Pozo	...	Yevtushenko (as Angel del Pozo)
Helga Liné	...	Natasha (as Helga Line)
George Rigaud	...	Count Maryan Petrovski (as Jorge Rigaud)
Alice Reinheart	...	Miss Jones
José Jaspe	...	Konev - Conductor (as Jose Jaspe)
Víctor Israel	...	Baggage Man (as Victor Israel)
Juan Olaguivel	...	Creature (as Juan Olaguibel)
Vicente Roca	...	Station Master
Barta Barri	...	First Telegraphist
José Marco	...	Vorkin (as Jose Marco)

Storyline

An English anthropologist has discovered a frozen monster in the frozen wastes of Manchuria which he believes may be the Missing Link. He brings the creature back to Europe aboard a trans-Siberian express, but during the trip the monster thaws out and starts to butcher the passengers one by one.

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Plot Keywords:

journey | train | china | monster | anthropologist | 

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Taglines:

Your Non Stop Ride to Hell Boards at 8 P.M.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Horror Express

Filming Locations:

Estudios Madrid 70, Daganzo, Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Films, Benmar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min (Blu-ray)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Spanish version, "Pánico en el Transiberiano", attributes the screenplay to Director Eugenio Martín and Arnaud d'Usseau, while the English version mentions d'Usseau and Julian Zimet instead.

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Goofs

When the telegrapher announces what the government officials want done with the train and its on-board monster, the telegrapher says that the train is to be shunted to a dead-stop side track, further up the line. The interrogator asks, "Upon who's order?" and the telegrapher answers, "Moscow orders it." Until the Bolsheviks gained control of Russia, Petersburg was still the capital. Moscow was restored as capital in 1918.

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Quotes

Dr. Wells: Miss Jones, I shall need your assistance.
Miss Jones: [eyeing Wells' dinner companion] Yes, well at your age I'm not surprised.
Dr. Wells: With an autopsy!
Miss Jones: Oh, well that's different.

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Alternate Versions

DVD by Image Entertainment is 88 minutes long, the original theatrical version. DVD by Simitar Video is 85 minutes long, the television version.

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Connections

Referenced in Best of the Worst: Our VHS Collection (2019)

User Reviews

Compact, eerie and intriguing low budget thriller

An intriguing idea of a "spirit" of pure evil with the ability to jump from body to body aboard a trans-siberian train. Well done considering budget constraints, and claustrophobic. Lee and Cushing are fine, but it's Telly Savales who chews the scenery to good effect. He is an unexpected treat as a bullying cossack officer and good counterpoint to Lee and Cushing as civilized gentlemen. Don't expect a slick Hollywood production and you won't be disappointed. I watched this on late night TV spookfests everytime it was on during the late 70s and saw something new each time. It's something like a cross between Hammer and Argento, and a little bit of Corman, too.