Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.5

The Uncanny Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 27, 2021

Whether or not you're a so called "cat person" or a "dog person" may play into your reaction to The Uncanny at least a little bit, and perhaps not for totally expected reasons. This kinda sorta portmanteau is built around the linking conceit of a would be author named Wilbur Gray (Peter Cushing), who is pitching his latest tome to publisher Frank Richards (Ray Milland). Gray has previously written about UFOs and the pyramids, which may indicate that his proposed book is going to have some kind of supernatural or maybe even extraterrestrial aspect, and indeed that turns out to be the case, though it rather unexpectedly is focused on Gray's conclusion that cats are some kind of superior alien beings out for world domination, or something like that. Now that might appeal to cat fanciers while also confirming some of their suspicions about their pets, but the interesting thing is that each of the three stories that are depicted as being tales told by Gray to Richards show felines as unrepentant murderers. That might seems to suggest that it would be those goofy dog lovers who would flock to this film, as if to confirm that some bright cinematic mind had finally figured out just how dastardly cats really are. Of course, this is all said in jest, though The Uncanny may not actually end up appealing to either cat or dog lovers since it never quite achieves any significant scares, and in fact it may seem unintentionally funny more often than not.

Gray is seen leaving a spooky abode on a dark and stormy night, where he has attracted the attention of a whole retinue of cats. The opening of the film is actually quite moody, but unfortunately the rest of the film doesn't really capitalize on the creepiness factor of conspiracy minded cats out to do various victims in. Once Gray has safely arrived at Richards' home, the rest of the film provides three "proofs" offered by Gray that his theory that there's something malevolent going on in cats' minds (and claws). Unfortunately, at least two of the three stories tend to focus on cats slashing various unworthy opponents to bits, while the middle effort works in witchcraft and a kind of Land of the Giants aspect (an especially salient comparison since that old Irwin Allen show featured a cat menacing a "miniature" person in its very opening credits sequence).

The first vignette takes place in London in 1912 and involves a predictable story of a spinster heiress named Miss Malkin (Joan Greenwood), whose scheming nephew Michael (Simon Williams) is hoping to be the beneficiary of her considerable wealth once she passes. Michael is carrying on a ffair with Miss Malkin's maid, Janet (Susan Penhaligon), and Janet becomes aware that Miss Malkin may be on the verge of leaving her entire estate to her retinue of cats. Suffice it to say that Miss Malkin isn't long for this world, but her protective cats have a bit of comeuppance on their minds (and claws). As rote as this particular story is, it's actually kind of interesting how graphic it becomes once two corpses that have been dined on by cats are discovered.

The second tale is "contemporary" (meaning the seventies), and details the travails of a newly orphaned girl named Lucy, who is taken in by her Aunt Joan (Alexandra Stewart) after Lucy's parents are killed. Joan's daughter (and Lucy's cousin) Angela (Chloe Franks) doesn't take kindly to having a new "sibling" around, especially one with a fondness for a pet cat. This entry is kind of interesting in that Lucy resorts to a bit of witchcraft to achieve her goals, but the frankly shoddy special effects detailing the "miniaturization" of Angela undercut the presentation.

The third panel of this particular triptych is evidently meant to be whimsically humorous, but it just doesn't really connect. It is almost a riff on A Double Life, although in this instance the focal actor, a thespian with the unlikely name of Valentine De'ath (Donald Pleasance), isn't delusional (at least not like the Ronald Colman character in the other film), and in fact wants to kill his wife so that he can take up with his mistress Edina (Samantha Eggar). Once again all knowing cats supposedly attain vengeance, which, when combined with the first tale in particular, would seem to make these supposedly "evil" cats actually rather heroic, in that they are watching out for their (now dead) owners.

The Uncanny Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Uncanny is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Severin Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. The back cover of the keepcase insert states that this was "scanned from an inter-negative recently discovered in a London vault". Considering the rather amazing upgrade Severin just gave to The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism after a pretty problematic and lackluster previous release on Blu-ray, I wouldn't necessarily think that a better element won't ultimately be found, but sadly the one utilized here is in less than optimal condition. There's often a somewhat "dupey" look, with kind of splotchy, yellow tinged, grain, and intermittent lack of clarity that can mask fine detail levels, especially in some of the darker scenes. Densities are somewhat variable, and some of the material in the first vignette in particular can look a little wan. Interestingly, though, the interstitial inserts featuring Cushing and Milland often have rather nice suffusion and above average detail levels.

The Uncanny Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Uncanny features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track that offers good support for the film's rather well wrought score by Wilfred Josephs, one that can supplant a sudden harpsichord sting for more traditional startle effects courtesy of LFE. The obviously dubbed cat howls and mews are a mixed lot and will probably provoke some laughter after a while. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Though there isn't any mention of it on the main menu, there are optional English subtitles available via the appropriate button on your remote.

The Uncanny Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer (SD; 2:32)


• The Cat's Victim (HD; 11:47) is a fun interview with Susan Penhaligon, who seems to have a sense of humor about the film and what she terms its "campy" side.

The Uncanny Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Considering the talent involved, The Uncanny arguably should have been a lot better. It's certainly not bad in any substantial degree, but it's ultimately just kind of silly and most importantly simply doesn't provide many scares. Technical merits include some improvable video and decent audio, and the interview with Susan Penhaligon is very enjoyable, for those who are considering a purchase.