Horror Express (1972)

While travelling on the Trans-Siberian Express, an anthropologist and his rival must contain the threat posed by the former's cargo: a prehistoric ape which is the host for a lifeform that is absorbing the minds of the passengers and crew.

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 (as Cristopher Lee)
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)
Alice Reinheart	...	Miss Jones
José Jaspe	...	Konev - Conductor (as Jose Jaspe)
George Rigaud	...	Count Maryan Petrovski (as Jorge Rigaud)
Víctor Israel	...	Baggage Man (as Victor Israel)
Faith Clift	...	Miss Bennett - American Passenger
Juan Olaguivel	...	Creature (as Juan Olaguibel)
Barta Barri	...	First Telegraphist
Peter Beckman	...	Second Telegraphist

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:

See Kojak solve his greatest case.

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Genres:

Adventure | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Various roles are dubbed by Roger Delgado (the Police Inspector), Robert Rietty (Monk), and Olive Gregg (all female voices).

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Goofs

The ax blows used to break into the crate are much too gentle, and would never have broken the chains and bolts protecting the crate.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Professor Alexander Saxton: [narrating] The following report to the Royal Geological Society by the undersigned, Alexander Saxton, is a true and faithful account of events that befell the Society's expedition in Manchuria. As the leader of the expedition, I must accept responsibility for its ending in disaster, but I leave to the judgement of the honorable members of the Society the decision as to where the blame for the catastrophe lies.

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Crazy Credits

In the opening credits of the English-language VHS version, Christopher Lee's name is misspelled as "Cristopher".

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Alternate Versions

In the isolated music and effects track on the Image Entertainment DVD, the piano piece played by the Countess (which the creature whistles back to her) is completely different from what is played in the final mixed track. Oddly, while the piano piece is changed, the whistling is the same.

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Connections

References Shanghai Express (1932)

User Reviews

There's a stink of hell on this train!

Horror Express is a great little horror film. It combines four things I enjoy: trains, snowy backdrops, the dynamic duo of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, and the theory of the missing link. It's an original and atmospheric film that is probably the best of any of the Spanish horror films of the 70's that I have seen. The special effects are pretty good and the direction is very nice for the genre and time.

But really it's the cast that sells Horror Express so well. Obviously, any film with Cushing and Lee in it is automatically worth seeing. Lee plays the crusty Brit stereotype to perfection while Cushing plays a more laid-back character than normal, which is pleasant to watch. He even cracks jokes! Most of the non-English actors do surprisingly good with a minimal amount of overacting. Alberto de Mendoza as Father Pujardov is the worst offender but it actually works well for his character, who seems a sweaty high-strung mess the entire time. Telly Savalas, billed as co-star with Lee and Cushing, doesn't show up until about an hour in and has a limited but memorable role. He hams it up in every scene but it's a real treat to watch.

Horror Express is a great movie to watch late at night. If you're a fan of the terrific actors involved or of movies that take place on trains, please give it a shot. It's worth it.

Details

Country:

UK Spain

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

December 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Horror Express

Filming Locations:

Estación de Delicias, Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Films, Benmar Productions, Scotia International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 91 min (Blu-ray)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1