Severin Films’ Cushing Curiosities boxset is packed with minor Peter Cushing appearances, from early roles to his later, lesser-seen output. Spanning black-and-white to color, from films to his Sherlock Holmes performance in the short-lived BBC television series, there’s a lot of variety to this collection that should help appeal to fans of Cushing’s horror filmography even though about 2/3 of this boxset is not particularly of that genre. Since we’ve individually reviewed all films in this boxset, we’ll showcase thoughts from each of those reviews and then collectively assess the boxset as a whole.
Cone of Silence
Cone of Silence is a minor Cushing event, but it’s a fairly enjoyable experience thanks to its aviation subject matter and his great performance. The video quality is excellent here despite the dupe negative source, and this disc actually features the bulk of the Cushing Curiosities boxset extras.
Suspect/The Man Who Finally Died
Both Suspect and The Man Who Finally Died are equally small roles for the esteemed Cushing, but fans of slow-burn thrillers may find some value in both films regardless. Here, two audio commentaries add some much-needed context for viewers, and the StudioCanal transfers both look great on Severin’s Blu-ray.
Sherlock Holmes
Fans of Cushing’s Sherlock Holmes material will likely find him as engaging as ever in these BBC episodes, but the production itself leaves something to be desired. Severin has assembled a master assortment of extras, though, so even if the show itself doesn’t inspire, at least the additional commentaries and interview does provide historical context for this work.
Bloodsuckers
Bloodsuckers may be one of the most minor Cushing performances on the Cushing Curiosities boxset, and the film itself isn’t really worth the time despite its marginal vampire elements and a 10-minute orgy. Still, the extras here make this Blu-ray worth checking out, and the video transfer is excellent.
Tender Dracula
Tender Dracula is now available with a quality transfer from Severin Films so Cushing fans can judge for themselves how they feel about this strange French horror-comedy. While the overall film lacks a solid direction, Severin’s transfer and extra features add additional context to for those looking to finally experience this forgotten pseudo-vampire flick.
Boxset
The films overall in this Severin boxset are something of a mixed bag, especially considering the wide range of different genres at play. Many of these truly are Cushing in extremely minor roles, or outliers in his filmography. In essence, this boxset is mostly suited for the hardcore Cushing fan who wants to experience everything the actor has done, however minor; for those with just a passing interest in the actor’s oeuvre, this one could easily be skipped for all except Tender Dracula, which does make its American debut in full.
With that said, the quality of this boxset is undeniably excellent, with obvious care taken to present each of the films in their best possible transfer. The hardback box is exceptionally solid and of the same make as the previous Danza Macabra set. And quite possibly the most interesting element here is Jonathan Rigby’s well-researched, nearly 200-page essay booklet called “Peter Cushing: A Portrait in Six Sketches,” which runs through nearly all of Cushing’s major filmography in detail culling from primary newspaper sources and other biographical elements. It’s an excellent read that documents both his work and his life, along with a final index of all of Cushing’s output in both visual and audio formats; it also includes a number of full-color photos.
Verdict
The transfers, extras, and overall quality of Cushing Curiosities is undeniably excellent. The problem is that the films may only appeal to the most fervid Cushing fans. Summarily, if the films sound up your alley, this is well worth the price, but for those questioning the enjoyment value of some of these minor works, skip it and watch the movies individually before pulling the trigger.
