Greetings, salutations, and welcome to my considerations and recommendation of The Asphyx.
Story: 1.75/2 - Direction and Pace: 2.75/4 - Performances: 1.25/2 - Enjoyment: 1.50/2
Total 7.25/10
The concept of this story is superb as it's based on fact. Since the invention of the camera, people have taken photographs of their loved ones. And some have chosen to try and capture the exact moment of death. One such man is Sir Hugo Cunningham. He and two other photographers capture one man's passing and each of the film slides holds the same smudge to the left of the dying man. How could this be? Cunningham believes he's captured the Ancient Greek spirit the Asphyx, which comes to take a person's soul at the moment of death. When he loses his son and fiance in a boating accident, which he captures on his new invention - the moving picture camera, he sees the very same smudge slide into his son's head. Of course, he's now a man on a mission. If the Asphyx is an entity, then can he not capture it, and once caught would that mean the person tethered to it would be immortal?
The writers give the audience a splendidly structured tale of one man's descent into obsession and the revenge that follows. Though many strong and credible characters are created, they're gone too quickly as the writers focus on the two principal individuals. It would've been nice to have more of the relationship between Giles and Christina Cunningham. Though not related, the two have grown up as brother and sister. Giles is adopted. Which is lucky because the couple is in love, or so we're told. More warmth and emotion between them would only have added more potency. Luckily, there's more than enough to keep the viewer enthralled. One example is the hanging scene: We're given different moral viewpoints by the principal characters. Both think hanging is inhuman, and though one cannot watch, the other cannot wait to film the event. Another is the method utilised to capture the Asphyx. These scenes and details are well thought-out and delivered.
The director isn't too exceptional in his cinematography. However, he exploits every moment in the movie superbly. He has a keen eye for good composition and what's required to make the movie work. I especially adored the boating on the river scene. He frames every shot splendidly and captures the beautiful mistiness of the day, which adds a gossamer atmosphere to the segment. And for an early 1970s movie, the special effects are decent enough. They work wonderfully well with the context. Redone with today's CGI, there's every possibility they'd be overcooked. The image's subtleness helps to solidify the idea of an ethereal entity. Sadly, it's these segments that needed capturing better. They required more tension, especially in the first few capture scenes. Sadly, they don't grip the viewer as hard as they should. Another letdown is the soundtrack. Though I liked the classical piece used, by the picture's finale, it was overused. More fitting music was required to fit, and help set, the intended mood of the scenes. It's a soft lilting piece, yet it plays during the finale, where it doesn't fit.
On the whole, the cast is excellent. Though, I believe Robert Powell portraying Giles, undersells his part. I like Powell as an actor. He's usually robust and prominent in his portrayals, but with Giles, it's all a bit wishy-washy. Whereas Robert Stephens as Hugo has a couple of scenes where he makes out like a soldier on the front line and over the top, he goes.
Though The Asphyx doesn't make a must-watch film, it's interesting enough to make it a one-to-watch. The story is pleasantly in-depth and logically structured, making the events easier to believe. The characters are well-written and well-acted. And the direction is a good notch or two above average. If you've not watched this one yet, I suggest you treat yourself and find a copy streaming near you. And should you like Steampunk, take a look-see, and you'll notice a few "roots" in the paraphernalia the scientists use.
Please check out my Absolute Horror and The Final Frontier lists to see where I ranked the movie.
Take Care & Stay Well.
