Re-released by Indicator, 1968’s Corruption asks a bold question, unheard of during that era of British horror… “What if Peter Cushing did horrible murders in a 60’s style suit rather than a Victorian-era suit?”
The plot of this Robert Hartford-Davis directed slasher is the kind of nonsense that you’d expect from this sort of schlock. Cushing plays Sir John Rowan, a successful plastic surgeon who attends a party with his young girlfriend Lynn, played by Sue Lloyd. As a quick digression, I have absolutely no idea if this party is the kind of ridiculously over-the-top hyperbole that even an Austin Powers film would cut as being too on the nose, or if the ’60s really were just that psychedelic. Honestly, I don’t think I want to find out.
Anyway, during this party, Lynn’s face has an unfortunate disagreement with an electric lamp, putting a premature end to her modelling career. Swearing to find a cure for Lynn’s disfigurement, Rowan eventually develops a miraculous new form of skin rejuvenation. The only catch is that to work effectively, the treatment requires the pituitary glands of the recently dead. After a level of brief cajoling that really seems to imply he was just waiting for an excuse, Rowan then embarks on a spree of murders, slaying young women to help Lynn stay beautiful.
One of the main victims is a prostitute and, if you’ve seen anything else from this era, you know exactly how tastefully her death is handled. For the rest of you, the answer is “not tastefully in the slightest little bit”.
CORRUPTION (1968)
The film was controversial for its violence when it was first released and had to be edited for UK and US release (both of which are included on the Blu-ray, along with the more graphic continental version). This controversy now seems almost adorably quaint given how tame the film is compared to modern horror, but there is still an incredibly uncomfortable juxtaposition of sex and violence. One of the main victims is a prostitute and, if you’ve seen anything else from this era, you know exactly how tastefully her death is handled. For the rest of you, the answer is “not tastefully in the slightest little bit”.
Corruption may not be a good film, but it is at least entertaining in its campness and silliness. A particular highlight is a murder on a train that is just delightfully implausible and over-the-top. And Peter Cushing is never not fun to watch, especially as he flies into a wild-eyed murderous frenzy. Less backhandedly, while the start of the film drags on a fair bit, the final act manages to pull out a genuinely interesting set-up as Rowan and Lynn’s home is invaded by a gang of robbers. Not only are they all dressed in a style I can only describe as “beatnik Dracula”, but the whole sequence is a compelling twist on the home invasion genre, as Lynn tries to manipulate both Rowan and the gang for her own selfish gain.
That being said, the film manages to completely burn any and all appreciation I may have had for it with its ending. Full spoilers to follow.
After the entire cast is killed by a laser (yes really), Rowan wakes back up at the party. I’m hard-pressed to think of an ending that is a bigger middle finger to its audience than the old “it was a dream all along”, especially one that feels as arbitrary and tacked on as this one. Still, it won’t be a dealbreaker for everyone, and the film is at least an interesting curio if this era of horror is something you’re interested in.
CORRUPTION IS OUT NOW ON INDICATOR SERIES BLU-RAY
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THANKS FOR READING ANDREW’S REVIEW OF CORRUPTION
Reportedly drummer Dave Rowntree still finds this film unwatchable; Graham and Ewan are a little more generous. That said, the film’s main asset is the one director Matthew Longfellow barely seems to notice: it depicts the band on the verge of releasing Modern Life is Rubbish, an album which saved them from one-hit wonder status and set the agenda for the next decade of British rock music.
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