Horror Express, directed by Eugenio Martin, is an action-packed, exhilarating low-budget film that clocks in at just under 90 minutes and is a treat for any Sci-fi/Horror genre aficionados.
In 1906, Professor Alexander Saxton (Christopher Lee), a British anthropologist, finds a prehistoric frozen creature in the caves of Manchuria that he believes will reveal answers to the evolution of humans. He stuffs the creature inside a crate and intends to transport it to England for research purposes on the Trans-Siberian Express. At the station, Saxton meets his professional rival, Dr. Wells (Peter Cushing), who is curious about Saxton’s discovery and the contents of the container. The creature, which looks like a cross between an ape and a human, defrosts on the train, breaks out of the crate, and begins killing the passengers, turning their eyes entirely white and leaking blood from their orifices. The autopsy reveals that the creature has been absorbing the knowledge and memories of the victims’ brains. Dr. Wells and Saxton decide to collaborate and deduce that the monster is an extraterrestrial who was left behind when a troop of aliens arrived on Earth millions of years ago to conquer it and now wants to return to its home planet after being resurrected. They also learn that if its host dies, the humanoid can take over another body, making it imperative to stop it before something worse happens.
Horror Express is an excellent example of efficient low-budget filmmaking. The film’s impressive ensemble, rich production design, and surprisingly good special effects were all accomplished on a budget of under $300,000. For the interior scenes of the train, the creators could afford only one train car. As a result, to keep the production costs down, all the scenes involving a single train car had to be filmed at once, and then the set had to be redesigned for the shots containing the other train cars. All the action scenes are also very well constructed within the confined spaces. One action sequence, notably at the film’s conclusion, was filmed in the dark and was expertly edited and directed. The film’s background score, composed by John Cacavas, is highly reminiscent of Ennio Morricone’s style, including a whistling theme that will stay with you long after the end credits roll.
Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing complement each other wonderfully as two professional rivals turned colleagues. Both these actors bring a sense of class, stability, and maturity to the film’s setting. Lee stands out in particular with his towering personality and commanding voice. In a scene at the start of the film, at the Manchuria railway station, the authorities demand Lee show them whatever is inside the crate. He refuses and informs them that it is a fossil for research purposes. Because of his authoritative tone and domineering demeanor, the authorities buy into his explanation (and so do the viewers) and don’t bother opening the crate. Sometimes all you need is the personality of the right actor to sell a scene. The film also contains plenty of the dry British humor that I enjoy (thank you, James Bond films). In one scene, a police officer on the train named Mirov (Julio Pena) asks Wells and Saxton, “What if one of you is a monster?” to which Dr. Wells responds, “Monster? We’re British, after all!” Telly Savalas makes a cameo appearance as a hard-assed and arrogant Cossack officer, Captain Kazak. He steals the scene when he arrives on the train and starts accosting the passengers, including Saxton and Wells, shortly before the Alien attacks, which is easily the best scene in the film.
You can watch the full movie on YouTube for free.
Horror express movie link: IMDB
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