Richard Loncraine’s The Haunting of Julia is something of a film maudit. Adapted from Peter Straub’s first horror novel, the film was shot around London in late 1976 under the title Full Circle (as its title card still reads), then made the festival rounds throughout 1977, before barely being released in England in 1978. It belatedly turned up in the U.S. three years later, boasting the more genre-friendly title The Haunting of Julia but still failed to find much of an audience. A lot of this has to do with some significant stylistic differences between Loncraine’s film and the wave of slasher movies that dominated the horror market at the time: Above all, its unhurried pace and relatively restrained depiction of violence stand in stark contrast to the slasher’s relentless plotting and unfettered brutality.
From its disturbing opening scene to its unforgettable final shot, The Haunting of Julia...
From its disturbing opening scene to its unforgettable final shot, The Haunting of Julia...
- 5/2/2023
- by Budd Wilkins
- Slant Magazine
With a long and successful career spanning genres, Mia Farrow may not be considered a horror icon, but she’s certainly deserving of the title in terms of quality over quantity. The two genre efforts in which she starred are exemplary horror movies of their respective eras; while Rosemary’s Baby has been widely lauded since its release in 1968 (Roman Polanski’s personal life controversies notwithstanding), The Haunting of Julia – known internationally as Full Circle – is a hidden gem ripe for rediscovery.
Based on Peter Straub’s 1975 novel Julia, the 1977 British film is directed by Richard Loncraine and written by Dave Humphries (Quadrophenia), with Xtro filmmaker Harry Bromley Davenport receiving a “based on an adaptation by” credit. Although ostensibly a haunted house tale, its ambiguity also allows it to be viewed as a dramatic character study. Scream Factory shines a well-needed light on the atmospheric chiller with a new 4K Uhd + Blu-ray edition.
Based on Peter Straub’s 1975 novel Julia, the 1977 British film is directed by Richard Loncraine and written by Dave Humphries (Quadrophenia), with Xtro filmmaker Harry Bromley Davenport receiving a “based on an adaptation by” credit. Although ostensibly a haunted house tale, its ambiguity also allows it to be viewed as a dramatic character study. Scream Factory shines a well-needed light on the atmospheric chiller with a new 4K Uhd + Blu-ray edition.
- 4/27/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Starring Sal Landi, Andrew Divoff, Robert Culp, Karen Moncrieff Directed by Harry Bromley Davenport Distributed by Vinegar Syndrome Although I was born in the early ‘80s the formative years when I did most of my VHS watching came in the […]
The post Xtro 3: Watch The Skies Blu-ray Review – Take A Trip to Angry Alien Island appeared first on Dread Central.
The post Xtro 3: Watch The Skies Blu-ray Review – Take A Trip to Angry Alien Island appeared first on Dread Central.
- 2/20/2020
- by Anthony Arrigo
- DreadCentral.com
To mark the release of Xtro on 22nd October, we’ve been given 2 copies to give away on Blu-ray.
Three years ago young Tony watched with horror as his father was taken into the night sky by a mysterious blinding light and never seen again. Until now. His father is coming home but he’s not the man he used to be! Part E.T., part Alien, British horror classic Xtro is one of the strangest, most shocking exploitation flicks to land on earth during the video nasty heyday. Xtro is directed by Harry Bromley Davenport
Please note: This competition is open to UK residents only
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Small Print
Open to UK residents only The competition will close 29th October 2018 at 23.59 GMT The winner will be picked at random from entries received No cash alternative is available To coincide with Gdpr regulations, competition entry information will not...
Three years ago young Tony watched with horror as his father was taken into the night sky by a mysterious blinding light and never seen again. Until now. His father is coming home but he’s not the man he used to be! Part E.T., part Alien, British horror classic Xtro is one of the strangest, most shocking exploitation flicks to land on earth during the video nasty heyday. Xtro is directed by Harry Bromley Davenport
Please note: This competition is open to UK residents only
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Small Print
Open to UK residents only The competition will close 29th October 2018 at 23.59 GMT The winner will be picked at random from entries received No cash alternative is available To coincide with Gdpr regulations, competition entry information will not...
- 10/19/2018
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Nope, this isn’t Et, The Extraterrestrial, not by a long shot. Guest reviewer Lee Broughton offers an assessment of Harry Bromley Davenport’s British cult sci-fi shocker of modest means, a show that would be pure exploitation if not for some creditable performances. It’s nasty but has a basic competence and is not just more cynical grist for the mill. ‘Phone Home,’ my Aunt Fannie: sometimes the difference between a thriller like this and a higher-profile classic is just pretension.
Xtro
Region Free Blu-ray + CD
Second Sight (UK)
1982 / Color / 1.85 widescreen / 86 min. / Street Date, 18 June 2018 / £29.99
Starring: Philip Sayer, Bernice Stegers, Danny Brainin, Maryam d’Abo, Simon Nash, Susie Silvey, Peter Mandell, Anna Wing, Tim Dry, Sean Crawford, Robert Pereno, David Cardy.
Cinematography: John Metcalfe
Film Editor: Nicolas Gaster
Production Designer: Andrew Mollo
Original Music: Harry Bromley Davenport
Written by Iain Cassie, Robert Smith, Michel Parry, Harry Bromley Davenport, Jo Ann Kaplan...
Xtro
Region Free Blu-ray + CD
Second Sight (UK)
1982 / Color / 1.85 widescreen / 86 min. / Street Date, 18 June 2018 / £29.99
Starring: Philip Sayer, Bernice Stegers, Danny Brainin, Maryam d’Abo, Simon Nash, Susie Silvey, Peter Mandell, Anna Wing, Tim Dry, Sean Crawford, Robert Pereno, David Cardy.
Cinematography: John Metcalfe
Film Editor: Nicolas Gaster
Production Designer: Andrew Mollo
Original Music: Harry Bromley Davenport
Written by Iain Cassie, Robert Smith, Michel Parry, Harry Bromley Davenport, Jo Ann Kaplan...
- 7/7/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
What Horror Movie Impressed You The Most (In Any Way)?
Movies, in general, are classified as being in "the top" based on how much money they make. By this standard, James Cameron's "Avatar" is the highest-grossing movie ever, with gross revenues in excess of $2.7 billion worldwide. But was it the best movie ever made?
Well, that's a completely different story - as revenue doesn't necessarily mean value. Thus, most list containing the top 5 horror movies of all time will contain films that were massively successful - think teen slashers like Scream or supernatural found-footage flicks like Paranormal Activity. But this also doesn't necessarily mean that they were the best horror movies ever made.
Instead of counting money, remakes, viewers, or sequels, let's take a look at horror movies from a different point of view: how impressive they were. How scary or pressing, how gross, how gruesome they were. And...
Movies, in general, are classified as being in "the top" based on how much money they make. By this standard, James Cameron's "Avatar" is the highest-grossing movie ever, with gross revenues in excess of $2.7 billion worldwide. But was it the best movie ever made?
Well, that's a completely different story - as revenue doesn't necessarily mean value. Thus, most list containing the top 5 horror movies of all time will contain films that were massively successful - think teen slashers like Scream or supernatural found-footage flicks like Paranormal Activity. But this also doesn't necessarily mean that they were the best horror movies ever made.
Instead of counting money, remakes, viewers, or sequels, let's take a look at horror movies from a different point of view: how impressive they were. How scary or pressing, how gross, how gruesome they were. And...
- 10/12/2017
- by admin
- MoreHorror
United Artists
When it comes to British horror films, you’ve hopefully already seen the likes of 28 Days Later, The Descent and Mum & Dad. Maybe you’ve watched The Zombie Diaries, Eden Lake and Panic Button (if you haven’t, you should address that immediately).
As anyone of a certain vintage will inform you, Britain has a rich horror heritage, and there’s much more to the genre than Dracula and Frankenstein. There’s Witchfinder General, with Vincent Price as Matthew Hopkins, a real-life prosecutor of witches, plus The Blood On Satan’s Claw, about 17th Century devil worshippers. And that’s just for starters.
Even if we eschewed Hammer and restricted ourselves to the “old school” horror actors (Price, Christopher Lee, Donald Pleasance), the list would include Madhouse, Death Line, Theatre Of Blood and House Of The Long Shadows, among others. Again, not too shabby.
There are, of course,...
When it comes to British horror films, you’ve hopefully already seen the likes of 28 Days Later, The Descent and Mum & Dad. Maybe you’ve watched The Zombie Diaries, Eden Lake and Panic Button (if you haven’t, you should address that immediately).
As anyone of a certain vintage will inform you, Britain has a rich horror heritage, and there’s much more to the genre than Dracula and Frankenstein. There’s Witchfinder General, with Vincent Price as Matthew Hopkins, a real-life prosecutor of witches, plus The Blood On Satan’s Claw, about 17th Century devil worshippers. And that’s just for starters.
Even if we eschewed Hammer and restricted ourselves to the “old school” horror actors (Price, Christopher Lee, Donald Pleasance), the list would include Madhouse, Death Line, Theatre Of Blood and House Of The Long Shadows, among others. Again, not too shabby.
There are, of course,...
- 8/10/2015
- by Ian Watson
- Obsessed with Film
It’s Friday the 13th and a full moon tonight so we let the crazies loose and are bring back one of our favorite staff posts, The Thirteen! If you aren’t familiar with The Thirteen, it was initially conceived to be a Top 13 list of films about a certain topic. Sadly, we started it last September and it fell by the wayside. Read our past two posts:
13 Songs Used in Films That Take On a Haunting Feeling
13 Female Villains & Anti-Heroes in Film
Xtro
contribution by Jeremy Jones
A young boy sees his dad abducted by some unseen force. Three years later a meteor hits in the middle of the woods and brings something icky. Written, directed and scored by Harry Bromley Davenport, Xtro is a demented labor of love. The first twenty minutes are the most chunk blowing worthy moments. Including perhaps the grossest thing ever, walking in on your parents having sex.
13 Songs Used in Films That Take On a Haunting Feeling
13 Female Villains & Anti-Heroes in Film
Xtro
contribution by Jeremy Jones
A young boy sees his dad abducted by some unseen force. Three years later a meteor hits in the middle of the woods and brings something icky. Written, directed and scored by Harry Bromley Davenport, Xtro is a demented labor of love. The first twenty minutes are the most chunk blowing worthy moments. Including perhaps the grossest thing ever, walking in on your parents having sex.
- 6/13/2014
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
Prepare to be corrupted and depraved once more as Nucleus Films releases the sequel to the definitive guide to the Video Nasties phenomenon – the most extraordinary and scandalous era in the history of British film. Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide Part 2, a three-disc collector’s edition box set, is being released on DVD on July 14th 2014, to tie in with the 30th Anniversary of the Video Recordings Act 1984.
For the first time ever on DVD, all 82 films that fell foul of the Director of Public Prosecutions “Section 3” list are trailer-featured with specially filmed intros for each title, alongside a brand new documentary – Video Nasties: Draconian Days (review), directed by Jake West.
And to celebrate the release, Film4 FrightFest is hosting a special event – the world exclusive London Premiere of the finalised unseen extended 97 minute cut of Video Nasties: Draconian Days at The Prince Charles Cinema on Thurs 3 July, 8.30pm. The...
For the first time ever on DVD, all 82 films that fell foul of the Director of Public Prosecutions “Section 3” list are trailer-featured with specially filmed intros for each title, alongside a brand new documentary – Video Nasties: Draconian Days (review), directed by Jake West.
And to celebrate the release, Film4 FrightFest is hosting a special event – the world exclusive London Premiere of the finalised unseen extended 97 minute cut of Video Nasties: Draconian Days at The Prince Charles Cinema on Thurs 3 July, 8.30pm. The...
- 5/21/2014
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Britain is not exactly a place that cineastes would associate with the production of high quality horror films. Italy – yes. Japan – definitely. But Britain, when it comes to horror, gets automatically associated with Hammer. I am a fan of Hammer films, but they get so much focus that the true gems of British horror making go overlooked.
In general, I don’t think that British cinema gets the credit that it deserves. But this especially applies to British horror films. There have been some fantastic films made over the decades – up to contemporary efforts such as 28 Days Later and The Descent.
In this article, I am appraising some iconoclastic British horror films that deserve more appreciation. Please add your own favourites below.
10. Xtro (1983)
Sam and his son Tony are playing outside when a light appears and abducts Sam. The light returns three years later and deposits a seed from which...
In general, I don’t think that British cinema gets the credit that it deserves. But this especially applies to British horror films. There have been some fantastic films made over the decades – up to contemporary efforts such as 28 Days Later and The Descent.
In this article, I am appraising some iconoclastic British horror films that deserve more appreciation. Please add your own favourites below.
10. Xtro (1983)
Sam and his son Tony are playing outside when a light appears and abducts Sam. The light returns three years later and deposits a seed from which...
- 1/4/2014
- by Clare Simpson
- Obsessed with Film
Odd List Ryan Lambie 6 Nov 2013 - 06:50
From random films with altered names to unrelated storylines, we take a look at 15 incredibly tenuous horror and sci-fi film sequels...
The profit-driven nature of filmmaking usually means that, if a movie's a hit, sequels follow. And it's sometimes the case that, particularly in the realm of low-budget sci-fi and horror, those sequels are trotted out in a rush, or don't have anything to do with the film they're following.
This isn't to say that the sequels on this list are necessarily bad - it's a proper mixed bag of the great, the mediocre and the downright awful - but in each instance, these sequels have only vague links to their predecessors, or worse still, they're entirely different films rebranded to fit an existing franchise.
Our list is by no means definitive - rather, we've chosen a collection of films that we find the most memorable.
From random films with altered names to unrelated storylines, we take a look at 15 incredibly tenuous horror and sci-fi film sequels...
The profit-driven nature of filmmaking usually means that, if a movie's a hit, sequels follow. And it's sometimes the case that, particularly in the realm of low-budget sci-fi and horror, those sequels are trotted out in a rush, or don't have anything to do with the film they're following.
This isn't to say that the sequels on this list are necessarily bad - it's a proper mixed bag of the great, the mediocre and the downright awful - but in each instance, these sequels have only vague links to their predecessors, or worse still, they're entirely different films rebranded to fit an existing franchise.
Our list is by no means definitive - rather, we've chosen a collection of films that we find the most memorable.
- 11/5/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Entertainment One will release the chilly (and hopefully chilling) 2009 thriller Frozen Kiss on DVD on July 12 for a list price of $24.98.
Cameron Goodman feels the chill in Frozen Kiss.
Jamie Martz (Jarhead) and Cameron Goodman (Shuttle) star as Ryan and Shelley, young lovers returning home from a party one wintry night. Engulfed by a raging blizzard, they become stranded when their car breaks down on an unfamiliar road. With the authorities unable to locate them, the pair must fight for survival against both the icy elements and the mysterious figures who appear to be trailing them.
Directed by Harry Bromley Davenport and co-starring Mimi Rogers (Abandoned) and David Starzyk (TV’s Hot in Cleveland), Frozen Kiss is premiering in the U.S. on DVD and is reportedly “based on true events that made national headlines.”
This one looks like it could play as a companion feature to Adam Green’s ski lift chiller Frozen.
Cameron Goodman feels the chill in Frozen Kiss.
Jamie Martz (Jarhead) and Cameron Goodman (Shuttle) star as Ryan and Shelley, young lovers returning home from a party one wintry night. Engulfed by a raging blizzard, they become stranded when their car breaks down on an unfamiliar road. With the authorities unable to locate them, the pair must fight for survival against both the icy elements and the mysterious figures who appear to be trailing them.
Directed by Harry Bromley Davenport and co-starring Mimi Rogers (Abandoned) and David Starzyk (TV’s Hot in Cleveland), Frozen Kiss is premiering in the U.S. on DVD and is reportedly “based on true events that made national headlines.”
This one looks like it could play as a companion feature to Adam Green’s ski lift chiller Frozen.
- 6/15/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
We told you here that British director Harry Bromley Davenport is returning to the Xtro franchise he first visited in 1983 to do a fourth film in the series. He’s got a script (by frequent collaborator Daryl Haney) and the backing; what he doesn’t have is a name for it, and he’s seeking Fangorians’ help in that department.
- 3/26/2010
- by gingold@starloggroup.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
Lock and load, people, for this is a very special article. Harry Bromley Davenport, the enfant terrible behind Xtro—a British video nasty from the early 1980s that he’s about to sequelize again (see item here)—does not mince his words in this interview regarding his latest shocker, Haunted Echoes (out today on DVD from E1), complemented by a few exclusive pics. Harry is clearly a man not to cross—as we found out…...
- 3/9/2010
- by gingold@starloggroup.com (Jay Slater)
- Fangoria
Anyone here remember the 1983 flick Xtro? That super cool alien flick in which a woman gave birth to a full grown man? If you listen closely, you can hear women of all ages wincing in pain at the thought of that last remark! The film spawned two insipid sequels, and apparently there's a fourth film on the way to hopefully make us forget about them.
In an interview with Fangoria director Harry Bromley Davenport dropped the following nugget of news on them:
"I am going to be starting Xtro 4 this summer; you are the first to receive this shattering news,” Davenport tells Fango. “A script by Daryl Haney is in the works, and my sales guys are salivating. It’s going to be a very odd movie indeed. Sort of back to the roots of the first one, but much stranger and, hopefully, more uncomfortable.”
More uncomfortable? Ladies -- clinch those legs together tightly!
In an interview with Fangoria director Harry Bromley Davenport dropped the following nugget of news on them:
"I am going to be starting Xtro 4 this summer; you are the first to receive this shattering news,” Davenport tells Fango. “A script by Daryl Haney is in the works, and my sales guys are salivating. It’s going to be a very odd movie indeed. Sort of back to the roots of the first one, but much stranger and, hopefully, more uncomfortable.”
More uncomfortable? Ladies -- clinch those legs together tightly!
- 3/8/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Pimping his DVD release Haunted Echoes , Harry Bromley Davenport tells Fangoria that he's returning to the director's chair for Xtro 4 . Davenport kicked off the series, involving malevolent aliens, in '83 and has helmed every entry since then. Xtro 3: Watch the Skies touched down on video shelves in '95. He tells Fango: "A script by Daryl Haney is in the works, and my sales guys are salivating. It's going to be a very odd movie indeed. Sort of back to the roots of the first one, but much stranger and, hopefully, more uncomfortable." Good to see Xtro is eschewing the "reboot" craze and is plowing onward!
- 3/8/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
When Julia (Mia Farrow) Lofting witnesses her daughter Kate (Sophie Ward) choke to death at the kitchen table, her mental stability (as should be expected) shatters. Plagued by depression and a nasty case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Julia leaves her husband Magnus (Keir Dullea), and attempts to build a new life on her own, in a new location. But Julia’s new residence is no safe haven, and she soon discovers that the peace she seeks is very far from “home”, for these new corridors harbor an old, malicious spirit, and few who come in contact with this entity live to tell about it.
An eerie film in just about every sense imaginable, The Haunting Of Julia (which was originally released as Full Circle) packs a load of chills despite a slow start and overall conservative approach to Peter Straub’s original novel “Julia” (which served as the films source...
An eerie film in just about every sense imaginable, The Haunting Of Julia (which was originally released as Full Circle) packs a load of chills despite a slow start and overall conservative approach to Peter Straub’s original novel “Julia” (which served as the films source...
- 7/24/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Matt Molgaard)
- Fangoria
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