This low budget shocker from Tigon stars those two titans of terror… Beryl Reid and Flora Robson? Yes, Reid, one of Britain’s most cherished comediennes, and Robson, who made her name with serious dramatic roles in Black Narcissus and the like, slum it in this torrid shocker.
The veteran actresses play a pair of spinster sisters with a dark secret in their cellar. When soldiers from the local army base start getting murdered, by what police at first think may be an animal, the old biddies realise that their long kept secret is not just out, but roaming the countryside killing people.
It’s a rather silly story, very similar to The Ghoul starring Peter Cushing that followed some years later. The actresses give decent performances, with Reid showing she was a capable dramatic actress; in fact it’s Reid who provides the films creepiest moment as she makes her confession to the police, bringing a childlike innocence to the character. The murders though feel like they’re from a different film, one bent on cheap shocks rather than atmospheric scares, unfortunately failing to even achieve that.
The Beast in the Cellar is only recommended for those with a strong interest in ‘60s/’70′s British horror, anyone else would be better off looking elsewhere for their scares.
Horror and Western film buff, Marvel comic geek, music lover and occasional gamer. 