The Creeping Flesh (1974) (UK)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Victorian London, Doctor Emmanuel Hildern (Peter Cushing) believes there to be a biological root to evil and he thinks that the freaky-ass skeleton he has brought home from Papua New Guinea will aid him in proving this. The supposed missing link may turn the world of science on its head and he’s ready for the prestige (and funds) this will bring. He discovers that when water is added to the monstrous bones, it manages to render flesh back onto the creature. He removes the now fleshy finger (very dong-like) and throws it in a jar for further study. A trip to the library points to the skeletons true origins and the mythical evil it may actually be. After studying the flesh he’s amputated from the skeleton, he takes a look at the creature’s blood and stumbles upon the possible root of all evil! Through this blood he plans on curing this illness, hopefully allowing him to inoculate humanity against evil! Thinking that the insanity that took his wife from him was a disease of the blood, he figures he can harness immunity to said evilness and share it with his daughter before the same craziness that claimed his wife claims her. Hey, it could work! She’s already slipping into promiscuity which, as you know, was in and of itself grounds to throw a woman in an asylum during this era… and still is in some southern states. She’s also homicidal and loving it. Of course, it doesn’t work and things spiral out into tragedy. The doctor’s slimy scientist half-brother/rival James (a goatee’d Christopher Lee looking his best) sees profit where his brother sees progress and he becomes hellbent on claiming things for himself. Helps that his niece has just ended up in the asylum he runs and his half-brother is becoming increasingly desperate. Fortune smiles upon the seedy or whatever it is they say. Chaos ensues and the skeletal remains carry a sentience of something harnessing horrific power. A ridiculous premise is given an unprecedented air of grandeur thanks to the efforts of its stellar cast and the dependable directorial hand of Freddie Francis. All of this combines for a refreshing bit of macabre mad science and unfathomable horror. Recommended.