Watch The Asphyx

The Asphyx is a British horror film from 1972 directed by Peter Newbrook. The storyline revolves around Sir Hugo Cunningham played by Robert Stephens, a wealthy and respected scientist in Victorian England who becomes obsessed with finding a way of capturing the spirit of the human soul at the moment of death. He believes that by doing so, he can achieve immortality and escape the inevitability of death.

To aid him in his quest, Sir Hugo and his assistant, Gilchrist played by Robert Powell, begin experimenting on live animals. They find that whenever a living creature dies, a small cloud-like entity, which he calls "the Asphyx" emerges from the body. Hugo becomes convinced that if he can capture this entity at the moment of death, he can use it to trap the spirit and become eternal.

After a series of successful experiments on animals, Hugo's interest moves towards humans. He becomes obsessed with capturing the Asphyx of his own daughter, who passes away in an accident. He devises a plan to have his daughter's coffin rigged with an elaborate mechanism that will capture the Asphyx.

Things take a macabre turn when the trapped Asphyx is transferred to Sir Hugo himself, ensuring him the power of eternal life. However, as the years wear on, Sir Hugo realizes that immortality has its price, and dark consequences begin to unfold.

The movie portrays the Victorian era in a hauntingly beautiful manner. The scenes are well crafted, and the atmosphere is eerie, making the movie more spine-tinglingly thrilling. The performances of Robert Powell and Robert Stephens are both convincing, and the supporting cast has also done an excellent job.

Moreover, the film showcases a horrific portrayal of Sir Hugo's obsession, which challenges the audience's ideas on morality and the value of life. It heightens the feeling of suspense and dread and emphasizes just how much Sir Hugo's quest for immortality has eternally altered his character arc.

The Asphyx concludes with a terrifying climax, revealing that Sir Hugo's experiment had much more detrimental effects not only on him but also on his family. Every devil has its price, and in the case of Sir Hugo's dreams of immortality, it comes at a hefty and terrible cost.

Overall, The Asphyx is a fascinating horror movie that adeptly balances its themes of science, gothic aesthetics, and supernatural terror. Even though it was released nearly five decades ago, the film remains relevant to the present day where scientists continue to explore the mysteries of life and death, and morality is challenged every day.

In conclusion, I'd recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good horror flick that offers something new and exciting. For those who can stand the pace, it's guaranteed to leave you breathless, and for those faint at heart, be warned, you may find yourself holding your breath in fear.

The Asphyx is a 1972 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.