6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
A doctor who is a collector of esoterica, buys an unusual skull from his ordinary source of artifacts. Much too soon he discovers how the skull affects him!
Starring: Peter Cushing, Patrick Wymark, Jill Bennett (I), Nigel Green, Patrick Magee (I)Horror | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Keeping their standing as titans of the horror genre, stars Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee move from Hammer Films to Amicus Productions for 1965’s “The Skull,” which keeps the actors busy with a different type of threat emerging from the haunted skull of the Marquis de Sade. Adapted from a short story by “Psycho” author Robert Bloch and directed by Freddie Francis, “The Skull” has the benefit of being just weird enough to work, exploring the limits of sanity and the perils of antique dealing, experiencing evil through a strange vessel of paranormal influence.
The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't appear to be a fresh scan of "The Skull," which has trouble with artifacts throughout the viewing event, finding pixelation and banding not pervasive, but common enough to notice, especially on the sides of the frame. Colors look a bit fatigued as well, but primaries remain communicative, supporting the production's love of red. However, hues are generally more subdued. Detail is acceptable for this style of cinematography, delivering a satisfactory amount of texture with costuming and macabre props, while close-ups service facial particulars agreeably. Delineation is adequate, though blacks aren't particularly deep, bordering on milky. Speckling is detected, along with some scratches.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also shows its age, offering a functional but not remarkable listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, maintaining intelligibility, but precision is missing, offering a slight dullness on voices. This extends to scoring efforts, which sustain suspense, but lack heft and crisper instrumentation. Sound effects are blunt but appreciable. Mild hiss is present throughout.
"The Skull" plays briskly, and while it doesn't indulge violence in full, there's enough eerie events to keep the feature on the move. Francis maintains urgency and wisely cuts dialogue down to a bare minimum, preserving excitement from feverish Cushing close-ups and Lee-branded British steel.
1959
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