CERT: 15 | PLATFORM: BLU-RAY | RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 19TH

1971’s I, Monster is a glum and gloomy adaptation of the Jekyll and Hyde story. Christopher Lee takes the potion and does awful things here as psychologist Charles Marlowe, while Peter Cushing as his lawyer and friend tries to unravel the mystery. Director Stephen Weeks was only 22 when he made it which is quite the achievement but the film lacks the sweet, sparkling absurdity of Amicus contemporary stablemate The Beast Must Die, taking everything very seriously. Still, it’s compelling, sometimes brutal and Lee anchors it with a melancholy performance as the doomed doctor. There are some beautiful sequences that enliven an otherwise oppressively bleak tale of science gone horribly wrong, and while far from the best the studio produced, there’s plenty to enjoy.

There are two cuts of the film provided on this Powerhouse Films release, and in its 2K restoration it’s about as pretty as it’s ever going to get. A number of extras make this a recommended package. There’s an introduction from author Stephen Laws, a new commentary from Weeks, a set of archive and new interviews with key crew, an image gallery, the trailer (with commentary if prefer) and a booklet containing writing on the film.

If your fascination is with British horror, particularly of the time this was made, then this is an essential release, presenting the film in the best condition yet with context aplenty to support it. For those curious or wanting to fill in their Lee and Cushing filmography, you’re unlikely to love it, but neither is it the misfire it gets painted as and as such is worth your time.