The Beast Must Die (1974) is a thrilling suspense movie. A millionaire invites guests to his remote estate and one of them is a werewolf. The guests must figure out who the monster among them is before he or she strikes again. With a tense atmosphere and white-knuckle action, the movie keeps you guessing until the end.
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Review
“Man is not made for defeat,” Ernest Hemingway once said, “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” And that’s the very essence of the 1974 movie, The Beast Must Die. Produced by Amicus Productions and directed by Paul Annett, the movie is an adaptation of the novel “There Are No Spies” by James Hadley Chase. In true Hemingway style, The Beast Must Die is a thrilling adventure that leaves no room for defeat.
The storyline follows Tom Newcliffe (played by Calvin Lockhart), a millionaire who invites a group of guests to his estate on an isolated island. Newcliffe believes that one of his guests is a werewolf and sets out to hunt down the beast. The film’s tagline sums it up nicely, “You will see terror, you will feel terror, but you won’t believe it…until you experience The Beast Must Die.”
Lockhart’s acting is superb as he meticulously investigates each guest to determine who among them could be the werewolf. His character’s obsession with finding the beast leads to tense scenes as he confronts each guest with accusations.
The cast boasts impressive names like Peter Cushing and Charles Gray who play Dr. Lundgren and Bennington respectively, both adding depth to their characters with their formidable acting skills. However, Lockhart commands every scene with his presence and delivers a captivating performance worthy of recognition.
The film’s score ranks high amongst other horror movies produced during this time period. Composed by Douglas Gamley, the score evokes fear and tension at every turn in perfect synchrony with the scenes unfolding on screen. It adds an extra layer of suspense making one wonder if indeed there is a werewolf lurking in the shadows.
Filming took place in England at Shepperton Studios where intricate sets were built to portray Tom Newcliffe’s lavish estate on Werewolf Island. The special effects department deserves commendation for the transformation of the werewolf, which was achieved using practical effects. The transformation scene remains one of the most memorable scenes in horror movie history.
The Beast Must Die fared reasonably well at the box office but received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its unique premise and delivery, while others found it too absurd and predictable. Nevertheless, it has garnered a cult following over the years and is still watched by horror enthusiasts today.
Critics may have been divided in their opinion, but The Beast Must Die was not without its accolades. Paul Annett was nominated for a BAFTA award for his directorial work on the film, and Douglas Gamley received an Ivor Novello Award nomination for best film score.
The cinematography is also worth mentioning as it expertly captures the eerie ambience of Werewolf Island. The lighting adds to the tension of each scene while subtle camera movements maintain momentum throughout the film’s 93-minute runtime.
One of the most interesting aspects of this film is how it manages to blend genres seamlessly. It’s part horror movie with a dash of suspense thriller and a sprinkle of whodunit mystery thrown in, making it an enjoyable watch for fans across various genres.
Dialogue plays an essential role in any movie, and The Beast Must Die does not disappoint with its witty banter among characters that keeps you engaged in their conversations. Memorable quotes like “I’m not mad! I know what I saw!” uttered by Anton Diffring who plays Pavel are etched into your memory long after watching this film.
In conclusion, Ernest Hemingway would have loved The Beast Must Die with its fearless portrayal of man’s determination against all odds. It’s a classic horror-thriller that has stood the test of time with its captivating storyline, impressive acting performances, haunting score, unique filming locations, and special effects that were ahead of their time. If you’re brave enough to venture to Werewolf Island, The Beast Must Die awaits you. But be warned, when the movie ends, you may find yourself looking over your shoulder for the next full moon.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 93
- Release : 1974-04-01
- Genre : Horror, Mystery
- Cast : Calvin Lockhart as Tom Newcliffe, Peter Cushing as Dr. Christopher Lundgren, Marlene Clark as Caroline Newcliffe, Charles Gray as Bennington, Anton Diffring as Pavel
- Crew : John Stoll as Art Direction, Jack Hildyard as Director of Photography, Paul Rabiger as Makeup Artist, Max Rosenberg as Producer, Douglas Gamley as Original Music Composer
- Popularity 4.695
- Budget : 0
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Amicus Productions, British Lion Films
- Summary : Wealthy big game hunter Tom Newcliffe has tracked and killed practically every type of animal in the world. But one creature still evades him, the biggest game of all – a werewolf.
- Tagline : One of these eight people will turn into a werewolf. Can you guess who it is when we stop the film for the WEREWOLF BREAK? See it … solve it … but don’t tell!
