The Creeping Flesh

DD's Region 2 DVD of The Creeping Flesh is another quality product from a company that you can tell actually cares about its product. The contrast between its feature-packed English Gothic releases and the often bare bones discs from other companies is considerable.

One does wonder, however, if a touch colour correction might have been of benefit as far as the visuals are concerned, with many of the night time scenes presenting a near impenetrable darkness that detracts from one's appreciation of the otherwise solid transfer - an open matte 4:3 by the looks of things - and authentic, if understandably unspectacular, mono audio.

The centrepiece extra is the full-length commentary, featuring none other than Christopher Lee himself, as keen as ever to demonstrate his erudition, which can be either informative or overbearing, depending on how one feels. Thankfully, regular DD moderator Marcus Hearn (oh, how I envy thee!) does a good job at keeping the grand old man in check, asking the right questions and giving the broader background, while also not being afraid to correct Lee when he refers to the wrong David Lean adaptation of Dickens.

Hearn also contributes the viewing notes, co-authored with English Gothic author Jonathan Rigby - a nicely put together 24 page booklet copiously illustrated with production stills, posters and the like, accompanying a useful essay on the film, its director, production and reception.

The package is rounded off with a photo gallery, original trailer and selection of promos for The Abominable Snowman, Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter and Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell.