Review of The Asphyx (1972) by Garland H — 26 Jan 2011
After a hard diet of some of the most grotesque and gruesome horror flicks I could find (everything from the old video nasties to J-snuff shit like the Guinea Pig series, August Underground trash and the new French extreme) this was a surprising and refreshing change of pace for me.
It was intelligent and well developed story. For me the style was very reminiscent of the old gothic thrillers of the same era including Black Sabbath and Mask of Death or the original Wicker Man...it was dark, alluring, and obscure (the asphyx, a personal spirit of death that manifests at the moment before death? a wandering immortal much like the "eternal jew" forever lamenting the misdeeds of his life? a man trying desperate measures to preserve his family after a horrific accident he feels responsible for? An amalgamation of classic themes that come together in rare form with emergent properties that surpass their individual sum.
). For me the subject material hit on subtle and scary themes that most modern fare seems to glaze over with gore. It was terrifying in it's memento mori effect, much like the original Frankenstein story.
I really enjoyed this film on a number of levels and I personally believe it to be among the best of its generation. A hidden gem.
This review of The Asphyx (1972) was written by Garland H on 26 Jan 2011.
The Asphyx has generally received mixed reviews.
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