There are a lot of horror anthologies from the sixties and early seventies. Tales from the Crypt, The House that Dripped Blood, Tales of Terror, Black Sabbath and Trilogy of Terror are all worth most any horror fans time and money. A general rule of thumb is that horror anthologies in general contain at least one good or even outstanding story that makes viewing worthwhile. That’s certainly true of Asylum.
Three stories are oven into a larger one in which the patients of a mental hospital are interviewed by a man hoping to become the next director. If that man can find the former director among the patients he will be given the position. But as he goes from ghastly revelation to revelation he can only be sure of one thing. Something is wrong, very wrong at Dunmoor Asylum for the criminally insane!
Of the three Amicus titles offered in the Dark Sky July 25 lineup this one makes the best use of Peter Cushing in a role macabre role in which he attempts to raise his son from the dead via an occultic garment he commissions. Robert Powell, most famous for his portrayal of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, plays the hopeful job applicant while the rest of the roles are filled in by Herbert Lom, Britt Eklund, Patrick Magee and Barry Morse. Even a young Charlotte Rampling is present.
The best of the stories involves an unfaithful and finally murderous husband who dismembers his wife only to find himself going to pieces. In another a man claims the power to instill inanimate objects with his life force. The last involves a best friend who may or may not exist. Asylum is a film utterly of it’s time bridging the gap between modern and classic horror while reeking of the Gothic atmosphere that makes older horror films so much fun. The DVD features a good commentary from the legendary Roy Ward Baker and cameraman Neil Binney a featurette an Amicus itself, trailers, photo gallery and liner notes.