The Creeping Flesh (1973)

My rating - 7/10

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Set in the Victorian age, a scientist returns from a trip to Papua New Guinea with a new discovery, a large skeleton unlike anything seen before. While performing tests some water is spilled on it causing flesh to reform on the skeleton and bringing it back to life.

This is an interesting little flick that should have concentrated more on the main plot, but instead seems to have at least two or three others all fighting for screen time and as such makes things a little confusing in places. It's still a very fun movie though with Peter Cushing his usual excellent self playing the scientist who thinks his discovery will help him prove his theory that evil plays a big role in evolution. He's also dealing with the loss of his wife who went insane before dying and his daughters increasing obsession with her mother that leads her down a dark path. Christopher Lee is also excellent as the owner of an asylum that wants the scientists discoveries for himself for his own book.

With all that going on we also get another side plot of an escaped killer terrorizing and killing people. This doesn't really fit in with the rest of the movie though and doesn't really get much screen time. The sets are great, the acting from the supporting cast is good and the movie is full of atmosphere with a couple of nice little twists thrown in for good measure. It's low on gore but the creature is quite creepy as it stalks it's victims. If you can get past a couple of its more meandering moments and side plots then there's plenty to enjoy here.. Well worth a look.

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