Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

The Skull Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 11, 2017

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.

One has to hand it to Lee and Cushing, who put in a tremendous effort to make “The Skull” play out as dramatically as possible, delivering fine performances that sell the stuffing out of a plot that features a special skull controlling minds. Francis makes a pretty picture, with noticeable triumphs in costuming, set design, and cinematography, but the power of “The Skull” always resides with the cast, finding Cushing particularly skilled enough to make even the silliest scenes count for something.

For more extensive analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2011 Blu-ray review.

The Skull Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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 Skull Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Tim Lucas.

• Interview (24:14, HD) with film historian Jonathan Rigby discusses the origins of Amicus Productions and their competition with Hammer Films, various technical achievements, and a curious Amicus obsession with the last name Maitland.

• Interview (27:18, HD) with film historian Kim Newman essentially covers the same historical ground as Rigby, but goes a little deeper into Amicus creative achievements and British horror, along with an extended explanation of the movie's bizarre dream sequence.

• "Trailers from Hell" (2:36, HD) features Joe Dante, who shares his love for "The Skull" and some trivia about the film.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

The Skull Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"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.