Amazon.com

Fortunately, John Wayne had two vastly more interesting feature films (Rooster Cogburn and The Shootist) left in him following this disposable, leaden 1975 fish-out-of-water story. Wayne phones in his performance as a Chicago cop, Jim Brannigan, whose hunt for a fugitive in London is mostly an excuse for cross-cultural conflicts and comedy. Richard Attenborough adds local color as a Scotland Yard detective who partners with the Duke, and Judy Geeson plays a lovely, liberated constable who won't brook Brannigan's ingrained sexism. The by-the-numbers script is more pacifying for diehard Wayne fans than exciting to everyone, and the film looks embarrassingly ornamental with its naked display of touristy backdrops. Still, Brannigan is a slick tribute to the staying power of an American icon. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (9)

"Over-paid , over-sexed and over here."

Director: Douglas Hickox
Format: Color
Studio: Mgm/Ua Studios
Video Release Date: May 16, 1990

Cast:

John Wayne ... Lt. Jim Brannigan, Chicago PD
Richard Attenborough ... Commander Sir Charles Swann, Scotland Yard
Judy Geeson ... Det. Sgt. Jennifer Thatcher
Mel Ferrer ... Mel Fields, Larkin's Attorney
John Vernon ... Ben Larkin
Daniel Pilon ... John Gorman, Hitman
Ralph Meeker ... Capt. Moretti
John Stride ... Det. Insp. Traven, Scotland Yard
James Booth ... Charlie the Handle
Arthur Batanides ... Angell, Chicago Counterfeiter
Barry Dennen ... Julian
Lesley-Anne Down ... Luana
Del Henney ... Drexel
Brian Glover ... Jimmy the Bet
Stewart Bevan ... Alex
Janette Legge
Pauline Delaney ... Mrs. Cooper
Anthony Booth ... Freddy
Don Henderson ... Geef
Kathryn Leigh Scott ... Miss Allen, Airline Agent
Enid Jaynes
Alf Joint ... Man in Bar
Steve Kelly ... Gates, Larkin's Bodyguard
Tom Laughlin ... Geef
Tim Barlow ... Customs Inspector
Charles Pemberton ... Arthurs, Club Waiter
Peter Porteous ... Masseur
Tony Robinson ... Motorcycle courier
Jack Watson ... Carter
Mike Crane ... Boyle

Lt. Brannigan (John Wayne), a Chicago cop, is sent to London to pick up Ben Larkin (John Vernon) a Chicago hood who is being exrtadited. Also, there is a contract out on Brannigan by a Chicago hit-man, John Gorman (Daniel Pilon). A Scotland Yard officer, Det. Sgt. Jennifer Thatcher (Judy Geeson) is assigned to Brannigan as a driver. Her superior, Commander Sir Charles Swann (Richard Attenborough) informs Brannigan that Larkin has been kidnapped.

The story proceeds from that point. Brannigan is carrying a Colt Diamondback revolver which, he is informed by Swann, is illegal in England. Brannigan informs him that it is obligatory for a Chicago cop. Swann obviously thinks Brannigan is an American "cowboy," and that British police methods are far superior, but as Brannigan point out, it is the Brits who have dropped the ball in this case.

The conclusion of the story is fast-paced and action-packed. A good cops and robbers story.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

Overlooked period piece.
This movie has to be viewed more than once before the story line nuances become completely evident, even though it is somewhat a conventional cop movie, circa mid 1970s. There are some Anglo-American cultural differences that are strangely over played and highlighted, but the Duke is still the Duke and the story moves well through London. The fundamental plot line of a tough Chicago cop going to London to extradite a hood is actually believable, even though the final results are somewhat soiled by some over directing, ala mid'70s. "Brannigan" is a reflection of the times in which it was made. Minor role for Tony Robbins "Baldrick" (sp?) of the "Black Adder" series.

Rather dull, actually...
A brief, mildly exciting car chase, and a few cheap laughs are not enough to recommend this movie. The Duke is Jim Brannigan, a crusty Chicago cop sent to England to extradite a prisoner (John Vernon). Things get complicated when the prisoner is kidnapped and held for ransom by persons unknown. The muddled plot, then centers on efforts to recover the criminal. But how much do we really care?

The cast does what they can with a script that tries hard, but fails to be clever. Richard Attenborough as a British top cop is serviceable, but dull. Judy Geeson is a police officer who does little more than chauffeur the Duke, and act as a sounding board.

In addition, a "professional" killer, hired to eliminate Brannigan, attempts to do so using some rather elaborate, but ultimately ineffective methods. This loser can't shoot straight, or drive well, and the only one he succeeds in killing is himself.

Probably the film's most memorable moment is the brief car chase sequence, which concludes with Brannigan jumping across a London drawbridge, and crashing on the opposite side. Like Brannigan's car, this vehicle for an aging screen legend is a bit of a wreck. If you want to see John Wayne as a cop, check out "McQ", which is a much better film, though it is not yet available on DVD.

The DVD transfer is average, and the colors look a little washed out at times. The only extra is a theatrical trailer, which contains almost all of the film's best scenes and one liners.

Duke of England
With the slow death of the western John Wayne moseyed on over to the police genre and made two cop flicks, Brannigan was the second and arguably the better movie. A minor picture to be sure, it follows the basic cop formula and offers few surprises, but it is surprisingly entertaining and breezes along nicely. Wayne playes a Chicago cop who is transported over to London in pursuit of a criminal(John Vernon). Once there he discovers his quarry has been kidnapped and here the story takes a few moderate twists.
The film has some suspense and plenty of action but Brannigan's sense of humour is it's strongest asset. Many of Wayne's latter movies were overly serious(The Cowboys, Cahill-US Marshall to name a few)so his return to the lighter approach is much appreciated. The supporting cast includes Mel Ferrer, Judy Geeson and Richard Attenborough.
The DVD is much like the movie, nothing special but worthwhile.

Wayne is game as a cop on the case in London
Good movie overall. There something to be said about these gritty '70's cop films, with the grainy look, dated scores, and often hard to follow dialogue and story lines. John Wayne jumped into this "dirty harry" genre with this and McQ, with marginal success. Wayne is nearing 70 by this time, and in many ways looks it. He brings charm and style to any role he graces, but looks surpirsingly tired and worn out here. Perhaps his declining health had something to do with it, promting questions as to why he kept on working when so many others of his era had retired. He should have retired with True Grit, although his brave performance in The Shootist was a fitting swan song to the career of the finest actor America ever produced. There will never be another John Wayne. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Of all the Sherlock Holmes tales written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Hound of the Baskervilles (one of the four novels) remains the best-known. Adding a dash of the supernatural to the Great Detective's adventures, it is certainly one of the most dramatic--and an obvious target for screen interpretation. Prior to Jeremy Brett's indelibly making the role his own to modern TV audiences, Ian Richardson made for a suitably incisive and enthusiastic Holmes in this enjoyable 1983 adaptation. The much-filmed tale finds Holmes and Watson drawn in to the mysterious curse afflicting the well-heeled Baskerville dynasty. Is a monster stalking the heir to the Baskerville fortune, or is the culprit a far from demonic force? As Holmes, Richardson is blessed with the avian features that, like Basil Rathbone's or Peter Cushing's, effectively capture Sidney Paget's original likeness. Though Holmes's more antisocial facets are dispensed with, Richardson is engaging in such a well-explored role, recalling the razor-sharp wit and intelligence of Rathbone. Attracting a distinguished British cast (Brian Blessed, Denholm Elliot, Martin Shaw) and decent production values (though with a few Hammer Horror moments), this will not disappoint fans of Victorian literature's finest detective, nor those in search of a classic, chilling thriller. --Danny Graydon ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Unforgettable triumph of storytelling.
Without doubt, this is by far the finest screen version of Conan Doyle's famous story I have (so far) seen. Ian Richardson (who will no doubt be familiar to fans of House of Cards and To Play the King) is perfect as Holmes. The film boasts just the right cast (whether central characters or bit parts, they all give strong performances), the moor's thin line between beauty and deadly is just right, the soundtrack is unforgettable, there is myriad memorable dialogue and the whole thing flows very well. There is not a dull moment. Recommended to fans of Sherlock Holmes, Doyle or just horror in general.

Solid, but not totally spectacular version
This version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic story featuring Sherlock Holmes offers a fun and solid take on the tale of the Great Detective and his investigation of a deadly family curse. Wonderfully photographed, the film makes great use of the dark settings of the moor. Ian Richardson leads the pack with a sly, puckish take on Sherlock Holmes. It is a wonderful performance that makes one wish that he had filmed more Holmes stories then he did. Denholm Elliott has his amusing moments as the local doctor with a case of absent-mindedness. Unfortunately, the actor playing the faithful Dr. Watson, seems to be too much the Cockney with his gravelly voice. It's frustrating since his character spends much of the time onscreen, while Holmes is offscreen thoughout the middle part of the film. Brian Blessed and Connie Booth (formerly married to John Cleese, and a sometime performer with Monty Python), do well in smaller roles. A decent film, but not the definitive version.

warning
I made the mistake of watching this with my kids and family after church one Sunday. I had no idea there would be a rape scene! For kids stick with the Halmark version with Matt Frewer.

Probably the best
With the exception of the cheesy merry-go-round dog attack at the beginning of this TV movie, this version of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is superb. Ian Richardson plays Holmes with a flair that matches the great Jeremy Brett. It's a shame that Richardson's Holmes is only captured in one other occasion on film. ("The Sign of Four")

In contrast, it's also a shame that "Hound" is probably the most screen adapted literary work ever (there are at least 10 films) but there is no perfect definitive version. This is probably as close as we're going to get. This film, made in 1983, far outshines the 2000 BBC version with its horrid CGI dog and a Watson who is likely computer generated as well. Fans of the Jeremy Brett film may be surprised at the stellar cast of this one, featuring Denholm Elliott ("Raiders of the Lost Ark"), Eleanor Bron ("The House of Mirth"), Connie Booth ("Monty Python"), and noted actor Brian Blessed (you'll know him when you see him if you don't already). The film also features Ronald Lacey as probably the best Inspector Lestrade ever. (Lacey was also in "Raiders" and the Jeremy Brett version of "The Sign of Four".) Martin Shaw's spin as the Texan Sir Henry Baskerville surprisingly turns out to be more pleasant than not.

At times the film is on the gritty side. The scene with Sir Hugo chasing his servant's daughter for that evening's recreational rape is darker than one would expect, but precisely where it needs to be cinematically. When you consider realism, this "Hound" is unequalled.

Fans of Ian Richardson should also check him out in "Murder Rooms", a BBC series where he plays Dr. Joseph Bell - a real Victorian doctor universally recognized as Arthur Conan Doyle's inspiration for the Sherlock Holmes character.

Excellent and Memorable
This 1983 version of the Hound, with Ian Richardson as Sherlock Holmes, has rarely received the accolades it so richly deserves. While not the most faithful adaptation of the Conan Doyle classic, it is nevertheless sumptuously atmospheric. It features a truly menacing hound that more closely approximates the horror elicited by the novel's original than the veritable slew of disappointing hounds from several other film versions, the obvious exception being the equally terrifying Basil Rathbone hound. This TV movie's strengths stem from a variety of sources. First of all, Michael Lewis's engaging, memorable film score is exquisitely dynamic and resonates with excitement. Secondly, the production's choice of authentic Devonshire locales for outdoor filming, and effective use of sound stages to evoke the melancholy and dreary mystique of the moors at nighttime,imbues this stylish version with an appropriately gothic flavor. It stunningly depicts the eerie essence of the Grimpen Mire, replete with its miasma of swirling, amorphous ground mist, and compellingly involves the viewer in the visual ambience of its surroundings. The film's denouement, as Holmes pursues his villainous quarry through the mire's impenetrable sea of fog, is masterfully photographed and provides a highly dramatic and satisfying catharsis to an enjoyable film.
This is not to discount the film's few shortcomings. Certainly Richardson's Holmes, invariably prone to overtly amiable behavior, deviates from the disconcerting arrogance and brooding demeanor so brilliantly and faithfully rendered by Peter Cushing and Jeremy Brett. This is not to negate Richardson's charismatic and magnetic presence, however, and he is a pleasure to watch. (Recently, he compellingly played Dr. Joseph Bell, the real-life inspiration for Sherlock Holmes, in an equally atmospheric mystery series broadcast on Public Television). However, his Holmes portrayal remains somewhat revisionist. Furthermore, Donald Churchill's slightly bumbling rendition of Dr. Watson is too much of a frustrating throwback to Nigel Bruce's comedic and dim-witted depiction of the much maligned-doctor in the classic Basil Rathbone films of the 1940s. As Watson's character, for once, takes center stage in the Hound, casting for this role is more imperatively crucial than for Holmes. Among the most convincing and enjoyable Watsons from productions past included the more cerebral Andre Morell from the 1959 Hammer film and the equally astute and somber Edward Hardwicke from the 1987 Jeremy Brett version. However, that said, this stylish production deserves unstinting praise for the masterful way in which it skillfully reproduces the macabre spirit of the classic novel. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If your sense of humor is even moderately twisted, you'll savor this tasty course of well-cooked ham. Directed with delectable British wit by Douglas Hickox, the comedy is decidedly dark when Vincent Price--as effete has-been thespian Richard Lionheart--wreaks poetic justice upon the snobby critics who panned his performances and drove him to a failed attempt at suicide. Reciting his poor reviews and staging murders inspired by Shakespearean tragedies, the actor and his Dickensian coterie of accomplices (including Diane Rigg, sexy as ever) dispatch their victims with shocking ingenuity, and by the time Lionheart reenacts Titus Andronicus by gorging one dog-loving critic (the hilariously poofy Robert Morley) on toy-poodle stew, Theatre of Blood reaches giddy heights of outrageous vengeance. It's all in good fun, of course, and the film's esteemed British cast plays it to the hilt, none better than Price in one of his most entertaining roles. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (33)

"Now is the winter of our discontent..."
Who knew Shakespeare could be so much fun? More often than not, his plays seemed to put me to sleep in high school literature class. Funny how a movie like this can make you see things in a different light, even make you appreciate his work. I guess it's all in the presentation.

In Theater of Blood, Vincent Price plays Edward Lionheart, a Shakespearian actor who takes revenge on his critics through some particularly devious means after suffering many a bad review. What I really enjoyed, besides Price's outstanding performance, was how he incorporated the murders to fit in with Shakespearian plays. It was a really nice touch that elevated this movie from your typical horror movie to a masterpiece of the genre.

Price plays it perfectly, as an over the top actor, quoting lines from various plays as the curtain falls on each of his victims. I loved how he had that big book containing all his reviews, to which he would refer before dispatching some of his intended targets. Also, I thought Diana Rigg was wonderful as Price's daughter, Edwina. Not only is she very easy on the eyes, but also she complimented Price's performance nicely.

If you've seen the earlier Price movie, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, you will certainly recognize a number of similarities in the plot of both movies. Both involve the main character supposedly coming back from the dead to exact revenge. In 'Phibes', his vengeance is focused on the doctors and nurses Price feels are responsible for his wife's death, while here his wrath is aimed at those responsible for the death of his career. Also, both movies involve meticulous planning of the murders to fit into a specific, overall theme, including rather gruesome and horrifying means of demise for the intended victims.

It's all played tongue in cheek, and works so well. This is one of my favorite Price films, and really excellent example of him at his best. If for nothing else, this movie is worth watching to see Price in the guise of a hairdresser, in setting up a death sequence with a female victim. Seeing him in those groovy clothes, glasses stolen from Elton John, and ridiculously oversized afro is truly 'priceless'.

Cookieman108

a wonderful horror comedy
drip...drip...drip...goes the blood from the head of a poor victim in this chilling horror film that adds morbid humor and pathos in a strange but satisfying marriage. Price plays a demented Shakespearean actor named Edward Lionhart, who spent his entire career being panned by the critics for his over-the-top performances...do i detect a bit of reality in this movie? Diana Rigg plays the daughter, Edwina. The tale of actor versus critic is a wonderful subject to explore. This film is very graphic in it's violence, one scene shows a man's head falling off his body while he lay next to his wife! In another gut-wrenching scene, the ONLY critic who was even likable dies in a wine barrel. Robert Morley is seen as the gay critic, whose force-fed a nice dish of poodle stew from "Chef" Lionhart. Coral Browne, as the only female critic, gets treated to a new hairstyle by "Butch", a gay hairdresser {which is Vincent, wearing a laugh out loud orange wig and sporting a gay walk and speaking style! it's so hilarious that it's the highlight of the film.} Milo O'Shea and Eric Sykes portray the baffled police on the pursuit. Ian Hendry also appears in the film. This is a great movie for ALL Vincent Price fans. Several of my fellow reviewers have pointed out the film quality or the storyline...who cares. It's Vincent and we get to see him strike down his opponents with one gruesome death after another! What more could you want??? like the promo on the movie says: "This Actor doesn't just break a leg...he knocks 'em dead one by one".

Deliciously macabre and twisted....
I am a HUGE fan of horror, and Vincent Price is one of my favorite actors, so how can you go wrong with such a sadistic film? Its absolutely perfect for Price, he's flawless. But I will say, as much as I love horror, I had a HARD time watching this, though in a good way.

Being the masochist I am, I sat through the whole film. It was enjoyable, especially for Prices over-the-top super-campy performance. What made it hard to watch, was the deaths. I was empathizing with the victims to much boviously because everytime someone died had a large knot in my stomache. And I can't even think of one death which happens in a kitchen without getting sad... :(

This movie just has some of the most twisted death scenes I've ever scene. Diana Rigg was very good as Vincent's daughter as well. I rather wanted to shoot her, she was that convincing. :D

Anyways, I really, really reccomend 'Theater of Blood' to fans of horror, black comedy, or Vincent Price, even better yet if you're a fan of ALL THREE, like me.! :D

God Bless & *enjoy* ~Amy

Death Wins Not o'er Lionheart; 'Tis Curtains for His Critics
Hammy Shakespearean actor Edward Lionheart (Vincent Price) has been relentlessly denounced and vilified in the reviews of his performances, so with help from his daughter Edwina (Diana Rigg), he fakes his death and then sets in motion his grisly plans for revenge. One by one, he murders his most vociferous critics, but his technique isn't that of a common street thug, oh no. Instead, Lionheart patterns each killing after one of the various murders described in The Bard's plays!

Many real-life critics have tried to minimize the importance or quality of 1973's THEATRE OF BLOOD by pointing out its similarities to Price's earlier flick THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES (1971). While it is certainly true that both films seem to have been cast from the same mold--in the 1971 film, Dr. Phibes exacts revenge by patterning his homicides after the great plagues in the Bible--that doesn't detract in the least from overall enjoyment of watching this flick. The clever script contains tons of funeral-parlor puns and lots of gallows humor, and the stellar cast brings it all off wonderfully. Star Vincent Price is allowed to draw upon his Shakespearean stage experience and vigorously chew the scenery, but this is judiciously tempered with an excellent but more restrained supporting cast that includes the pretty Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Milo O' Shea, Eric Sykes, and countless other well-known British character actors.

The DVD from MGM--part of their excellent "Midnite Movie" series, which rescues lots of gems like this from the dungeon of late-night TV--offers a reasonably nice digital transfer of the film in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1. Some buyers have complained that the picture is a bit washed and the sound a bit muffled, but the copy of the flick on this disc is light-years ahead of any copy previously available on VHS. The only extra is the original trailer. But this DVD is so reasonably priced that one can't complain too much--especially if one wants to avoid the wrath of Edward Lionheart, eh?

Okay, THEATRE OF BLOOD is admittedly a one-joke movie, but it's all carried out in such an amusing and clever way that viewers are NEVER bored. Watching it is a must for fans of campy horror and gallows humor, and it's a must-own for fans Vincent Price or Diana Rigg. In truth, genuine horror fans will have no regrets about adding this DVD to their collections.

Picture Quality Comment
Many dvds these days are digitally remastered, so that picture quality is clean, sharp, pristine. This isn't one of them. The pictuire quality here is
rather poor. Unusual as many other Midnight Movie prints are excellent.

Plus the ratio is NOT 1.66 as stated on the box. It is 14x9, with black borders; or, with x zoom to fill the screen, the picture is softened and some picture is lost. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

"Now is the winter of our discontent..."
Who knew Shakespeare could be so much fun? More often than not, his plays seemed to put me to sleep in high school literature class. Funny how a movie like this can make you see things in a different light, even make you appreciate his work. I guess it's all in the presentation.

In Theater of Blood, Vincent Price plays Edward Lionheart, a Shakespearian actor who takes revenge on his critics through some particularly devious means after suffering many a bad review. What I really enjoyed, besides Price's outstanding performance, was how he incorporated the murders to fit in with Shakespearian plays. It was a really nice touch that elevated this movie from your typical horror movie to a masterpiece of the genre.

Price plays it perfectly, as an over the top actor, quoting lines from various plays as the curtain falls on each of his victims. I loved how he had that big book containing all his reviews, to which he would refer before dispatching some of his intended targets. Also, I thought Diana Rigg was wonderful as Price's daughter, Edwina. Not only is she very easy on the eyes, but also she complimented Price's performance nicely.

If you've seen the earlier Price movie, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, you will certainly recognize a number of similarities in the plot of both movies. Both involve the main character supposedly coming back from the dead to exact revenge. In 'Phibes', his vengeance is focused on the doctors and nurses Price feels are responsible for his wife's death, while here his wrath is aimed at those responsible for the death of his career. Also, both movies involve meticulous planning of the murders to fit into a specific, overall theme, including rather gruesome and horrifying means of demise for the intended victims.

It's all played tongue in cheek, and works so well. This is one of my favorite Price films, and really excellent example of him at his best. If for nothing else, this movie is worth watching to see Price in the guise of a hairdresser, in setting up a death sequence with a female victim. Seeing him in those groovy clothes, glasses stolen from Elton John, and ridiculously oversized afro is truly 'priceless'.

Cookieman108

a wonderful horror comedy
drip...drip...drip...goes the blood from the head of a poor victim in this chilling horror film that adds morbid humor and pathos in a strange but satisfying marriage. Price plays a demented Shakespearean actor named Edward Lionhart, who spent his entire career being panned by the critics for his over-the-top performances...do i detect a bit of reality in this movie? Diana Rigg plays the daughter, Edwina. The tale of actor versus critic is a wonderful subject to explore. This film is very graphic in it's violence, one scene shows a man's head falling off his body while he lay next to his wife! In another gut-wrenching scene, the ONLY critic who was even likable dies in a wine barrel. Robert Morley is seen as the gay critic, whose force-fed a nice dish of poodle stew from "Chef" Lionhart. Coral Browne, as the only female critic, gets treated to a new hairstyle by "Butch", a gay hairdresser {which is Vincent, wearing a laugh out loud orange wig and sporting a gay walk and speaking style! it's so hilarious that it's the highlight of the film.} Milo O'Shea and Eric Sykes portray the baffled police on the pursuit. Ian Hendry also appears in the film. This is a great movie for ALL Vincent Price fans. Several of my fellow reviewers have pointed out the film quality or the storyline...who cares. It's Vincent and we get to see him strike down his opponents with one gruesome death after another! What more could you want??? like the promo on the movie says: "This Actor doesn't just break a leg...he knocks 'em dead one by one".

Deliciously macabre and twisted....
I am a HUGE fan of horror, and Vincent Price is one of my favorite actors, so how can you go wrong with such a sadistic film? Its absolutely perfect for Price, he's flawless. But I will say, as much as I love horror, I had a HARD time watching this, though in a good way.

Being the masochist I am, I sat through the whole film. It was enjoyable, especially for Prices over-the-top super-campy performance. What made it hard to watch, was the deaths. I was empathizing with the victims to much boviously because everytime someone died had a large knot in my stomache. And I can't even think of one death which happens in a kitchen without getting sad... :(

This movie just has some of the most twisted death scenes I've ever scene. Diana Rigg was very good as Vincent's daughter as well. I rather wanted to shoot her, she was that convincing. :D

Anyways, I really, really reccomend 'Theater of Blood' to fans of horror, black comedy, or Vincent Price, even better yet if you're a fan of ALL THREE, like me.! :D

God Bless & *enjoy* ~Amy

Death Wins Not o'er Lionheart; 'Tis Curtains for His Critics
Hammy Shakespearean actor Edward Lionheart (Vincent Price) has been relentlessly denounced and vilified in the reviews of his performances, so with help from his daughter Edwina (Diana Rigg), he fakes his death and then sets in motion his grisly plans for revenge. One by one, he murders his most vociferous critics, but his technique isn't that of a common street thug, oh no. Instead, Lionheart patterns each killing after one of the various murders described in The Bard's plays!

Many real-life critics have tried to minimize the importance or quality of 1973's THEATRE OF BLOOD by pointing out its similarities to Price's earlier flick THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES (1971). While it is certainly true that both films seem to have been cast from the same mold--in the 1971 film, Dr. Phibes exacts revenge by patterning his homicides after the great plagues in the Bible--that doesn't detract in the least from overall enjoyment of watching this flick. The clever script contains tons of funeral-parlor puns and lots of gallows humor, and the stellar cast brings it all off wonderfully. Star Vincent Price is allowed to draw upon his Shakespearean stage experience and vigorously chew the scenery, but this is judiciously tempered with an excellent but more restrained supporting cast that includes the pretty Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry, Milo O' Shea, Eric Sykes, and countless other well-known British character actors.

The DVD from MGM--part of their excellent "Midnite Movie" series, which rescues lots of gems like this from the dungeon of late-night TV--offers a reasonably nice digital transfer of the film in its original aspect ratio of 1.66:1. Some buyers have complained that the picture is a bit washed and the sound a bit muffled, but the copy of the flick on this disc is light-years ahead of any copy previously available on VHS. The only extra is the original trailer. But this DVD is so reasonably priced that one can't complain too much--especially if one wants to avoid the wrath of Edward Lionheart, eh?

Okay, THEATRE OF BLOOD is admittedly a one-joke movie, but it's all carried out in such an amusing and clever way that viewers are NEVER bored. Watching it is a must for fans of campy horror and gallows humor, and it's a must-own for fans Vincent Price or Diana Rigg. In truth, genuine horror fans will have no regrets about adding this DVD to their collections.

Picture Quality Comment
Many dvds these days are digitally remastered, so that picture quality is clean, sharp, pristine. This isn't one of them. The pictuire quality here is
rather poor. Unusual as many other Midnight Movie prints are excellent.

Plus the ratio is NOT 1.66 as stated on the box. It is 14x9, with black borders; or, with x zoom to fill the screen, the picture is softened and some picture is lost. ... Read more