The Album of Modern Horror was my gateway into some pretty
obscure horror flicks. As a kid I’d take it out of the library with great
frequency to the extent that it was at my house more than it was on the
shelves. It was only returned when I had renewed too many times in a row or
when my mom sent the books back to the library without me knowing about it.
We’re talking pretty young; somewhere between ages six and eight. I couldn’t
read all the words, but I was always terrified by the images, and as I grew up
the words became easier to read and my interest peaked. This book got me into
Nosferatu starring Klaus Kinski, the Amicus classic Tales from the Crypt from
1972, The Other and, the subject of this review, The Beast Within. Scream
Factory offered up a new edition of this with some nice extras and a really
great quality transfer. I remember traveling from video store to video store to
find this release, and it didn’t look half as amazing as this new transfer.
Synopsis from Scream Factory:
18-year-old Michael MacCleary – the progeny of an unholy union between his mother and a swamp beast – is on the verge of becoming a man. And as the inherited evil in his blood gnaws at his soul, Michael must return to the swamp to uncover the terrifying identity of his father – before his nasty natural tendencies force him to feed on the locals!
So this is a man turns into a bug movie, I suppose a giant
Cicada is the implication and you’ll even get the chance to enjoy the
transformation. It’s classic early 80’s (1981) with some over the top acting
and plenty of familiar faces from horror and cinema history. Perhaps the most
notable name in the credits belongs to the writer Tom Holland. Famous for
Psycho II and directing Fright Night, Holland is a guy who understands how to
have fun with his horror audience while making them wait for the pay off. The
Beast Within is classic Holland. Perhaps a more notorious name associated with
The Beast Within is Phillipe Mora. If that name doesn’t sound as familiar as
Holland it’s because you didn’t have the chance to enjoy The Howling II (Your
Sister’s a Werewolf) or The Howling III (aka what the fuck am I watching and
why does it have fur?). Between Holland’s well written monster/bug movie and
Mora’s sense of campy fun you get a modern day monster movie filled with the
gratuity you’re sure to enjoy.
Sure the effects are dated, but they’re bloody fun. Bite
wounds that spill blood forever and cheesy, elongated transformations scenes
filled with bladder effects and strange latex design. This is why you watch The
Beast Within. As a kid, I was more shocked by the still frame image of Michael
MacCleary writing in bed pre-transformation than the transformation itself.
That’s because I didn’t that horror could be and often should be at least
moderately humorous. This lead to my general dislike of The Beast Within as a
kid and subsequently why I was unable to understand the enthusiasm surrounding
this particular release. Well, it’s much better now that I’ve matured (ironic).
Movies like The Beast Within or Squirm (also featured in the Album of Modern
Horror) do not thrive on amazing effects work; they make you laugh or maybe
throw up in your mouth… in the best way possible of course if there’s a best
way to throw up in your mouth.
The Scream Factory disc comes with two different covers
(reversible), each has its merits though I am a sucker for the Black on Red
cover. It’s the one that “got me” as a kid even if the movie failed to live up
to my expectations. There are two audio commentaries: one with the director,
Philippe Mora and actor Paul Clemens; the other with Tom Holland himself! They
also include the theatrical trailer.
Note: DTS-HD Master Audio Stero and 1080p Hi-def Widescreen
2:35:1
The Beast Within is actually an alluring tale with some
truly shocking moments that aren’t so over the top as to make them unenjoyable.
The aforementioned transformation sequence needs to be experience at least
once; it’s absolutely acceptable to laugh. It is perhaps more realistic to
assume you will not be scared by The Beast Within and that you will be
entertained. Fans of early 80’s moderate value schlock must apply!
-Doc Terror
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