Product Details

• Actors: Peter Cushing, Robert Flemyng, Wanda Ventham, Vanessa Howard, David Griffin
• Directors: Vernon Sewell
• Format: Anamorphic, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Redemption Films
• DVD Release Date: July 17, 2012
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B007WCJVSQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,702 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Peter Cushing (Star Wars) and Robert Flemyng (Battle of Britain) star in this classic horror film. A crazed etymologist is dabbling in gruesome experiments that are turning his beautiful daughter into a vampire-beast with an insatiable lust for blood! From Cushing's investigations of the opening atrocities to the fieryfinale--this gory thriller from legendary director Vernon Sewell (Ghost Ship) is definitely not for the squeamish! Newly remastered in HD.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars The Vampire Beast Craves Blood! July 21, 2000

By Freeman Williams

Format:DVD

At least that was one of the more lurid titles this picture was shown under, here in The States. Peter Cushing is a Victorian police detective investigating a bizarre series of bloody murders; Robert Flemyng is an entymologist who has somehow created a gigantic vampire moth who can masquerade as a beautiful woman. If you get past the laughable concept of a humanoid moth, the movie's not bad, and benefits greatly from Cushing's presence.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Atmospheric Chiller With An Unusual Central Creature October 24, 2003

By Simon Davis

Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase

"The Blood Beast Terror", is a very enjoyable and well constructed little horror tale which suffers because of the weakness in the appearance of the monster of the title which is a giant Death's Head moth that takes human form. The lack of imagination used in its construction detracts from what is otherwise a very atmospheric and beautifully filmed story which may not certainly be the most frightening tale ever filmed but still has alot to commend it. Peter Cushing one of England's foremost horror movie performers lends his usual dignified presence to the proceedings here and helps lift this 1967 Tigon productions feature at times almost up to the same level as his great accomplishments with the famed Hammer Studios horror efforts.

Despite this films quite sensational title, the storyline once you get past the idea of the Giant Moth Creature, is actually an evenly paced mystery drama that takes its time to reveal all the secrets of what is occuring. Along the way we are treated to a very handsomely constructed film set in Victorian times, the usual favourite time period for these British Horror efforts. Peter Cushing plays Inspector Quennell who is investigating a series of ghastly murders where the victims are found drained of their blood and savagely marked with horrific wounds that seem to have been inflicted by some strange undefinable animal. Finding at the site of the latest murder some strange scaley scraps off some type of insect or reptile Inspector Quennell begins to have his suspicions in particular of expert entomologist Dr. Mallinger (Robert Flemyng) who seems to be quite evasive when questioned about possible causes of death for the victims. Unbeknown to the Inspector Dr. Mallinger has been conducting some quite bizzare experiments with certain types of moths and has succeeded in creating a giant sized Death's Head Moth that can take human form. Masquerading as the Doctor's daughter Clare the creature is the one who has been committing the murders on young men attracted to her supposedly human charms. Dr. Mallinger in his attempts to create a mate for this moth creature however realises that for the experiment to work human blood is needed to aid in the mate's incubation. After being forced to change address when the Inspector gets on his trail Dr. Mallinger sees that Quennell's own daughter Meg would be ideal for their purposes and Clare on the pretense of becoming friends with her lures Meg to their new home where under hypnosis Meg has blood extracted to feed the creature slowly developing in the pod. However when Clare takes the form of the killer moth again and commits another murder, this time of the estate gardener which draws more attention to him again, Dr. Mallinger realises that what he has created is now out of control and he destroys the hatching pod. Clare however then kills him and goes in pursuit of other victims to feed on. Finally catching up with the creature after it attacks Meg's young friend William, Inspector Quennell and the sergeant manage to ingnite the flying creature which then burns up and falls to the ground gradually turning back into the form of Clare before it turns to ashes.

Not an exactly scary tale but well produced and earnestly played despite the letdown with the rather flimsy creature of the title. Tigon productions came a definite step behind horror leaders such as Hammer and Amicus during the 1960's and early 70's however here they have produced a handsome period film with honest and interesting performances from the leads who take their roles seriously. Peter Cushing, already of course a veteran of many classic horror films was new to Tigon productions with this role in "The Blood Beast Terror", but delivers his usual solid performance and treats the case a bit like a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Robert Flemyng as the fanactical Dr. Mallinger has just the right elements of menace and secrecy in his playing to really increase the overall tension of the piece. Wanda Ventham is also excellent in the dual roles of Clare and cold blooded murdering Moth Creature. In what could be a silly character to play she definately injects just the right elements of seductive allure and bitchiness into her character to hold the viewers attention. Glynn Edwards as Sergeant Allen and especially Roy Hudd as a distastefully comical mortuary attendant also deliver great performances that help lift up the largely unbelievable story to a very watchable level. Beautiful locations and settings feature strongly in this story and give "The Blood Beast Terror", tremendous atmosphere and a very polished look that stands up definately to the more famous Hammer horror efforts.

If you can get past the obvious lack of care in creating a suitable central monster for this horror effort "The Blood Beast Terror", is an enjoyable viewing experience. Peter Cushing in my belief never really gave an insincere or bad performance and was an expert in creating a believable character often out of slim material. While certainly a lesser horror effort I do enjoy the acting performances here and I recommend it to horror fans who are interested in some of the lesser studios efforts during this 1960's period when Hammer productions dominated British horror movie making.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars This Is A Cushing Film January 26, 2003

By Robert E. Rodden II

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Let's face it, this movie was a low-budget horror film with bad special effects. But, it does have one saving grace; Peter Cushing is wonderful as a police detective trying to follow the trail of a blood-feasting (totally ludicrous and campy) giant moth woman.

The picture quality of the DVD is fairly good, and the sound is fine. It is presented in letterbox, which is much more pleasing to view then the Pan-and-Scan vhs copy that I first saw this picture on. The setting is Victorian, and having a British cast, the performances are believable and elegant (even if swallowing the idea of a giant Deaths-Head moth makes you gag a little). If your after a film of the quality of "Horror of Dracula", or "Curse of Frankenstein", then don't bother. But if your a die-hard Peter Cushing fan, like I am, you'll probably enjoy this movie, as I do. There's not much suspense, but there is plenty of dry British humor, and some fine performances. Just don't expect to be dazzled by the special effects. Think of it as Sherlock Holms meets Gozilla, and you'll do fine.