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Stars: Philip Sayer, Bernice Stegers, Danny Brainin, Maryam d’Abo, Simon Nash, Peter Mandell, David Cardy, Anna Wing, Robert Fyfe, Katherine Best, Robert Pereno | Written by Iain Cassie, Robert Smith | Directed by Harry Bromley-Davenport

Directed by Harry Bromley-Davenport, who co-wrote the story with Michel Parry, and written for the screen by Iain Cassie and Robert Smith, is a cult film that, in my view, is long overdue a new release, and this Second Sight project is worth the wait. It tells the story of a man who is abducted by alien lifeforms and three years afterwards he returns to his home, not the man he once was. It’s a gem of b-movie gory horror, with an unnerving tone, nasty sequences and some dated yet effective special effects. The practical gore effects are especially fun to watch, even 36 years later. If you are unaware of the film, and so unaware...

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...

Alex Westthorp Sep 14, 2016

Did fantasy dramas Chocky, The Box Of Delights and Dramarama leave an impression on you as a kid? Revisit those nightmares here...

Spooky, always magical and occasionally downright scary dramas are the bedrock of kids' television. For me, the pinnacle of this sort of programme was reached in the 1980s. The decade saw a new approach to both traditional and contemporary drama by both UK broadcasters: ITV committed itself to regular seasons of children's plays with Dramarama (1983-89), a kind of youth version of the venerable BBC Play For Today (1970-84), which saw the 1988 television debut of one David Tennant. The BBC, building upon an impressive body of work from the early 70s onwards, produced some of its very best family drama in this era, embracing cutting edge technology to bring treats like The Box Of Delights (1984) and The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (1988) to the screen.

Anna Wing has died aged 98. The former 'EastEnders' actress - who is famous for playing sharp-tongued Lou Beale in the BBC One soap opera when the first episode kicked off in 1985 - passed away on Sunday (07.07.13), her agent has announced. Anna's alter-ego - who was based on the aunt of 'EastEnders' creator Tony Holland - was part of the opinionated Beale and Fowler family on Albert Square for three years before she was later killed off in 1988. A show spokesperson said: ''From the very first episode of 'EastEnders, Anna created one of the most iconic matriarchs in...

Anna Wing has died aged 98. The former 'EastEnders' actress - who is famous for playing sharp-tongued Lou Beale in the BBC One soap opera when the first episode kicked off in 1985 - passed away on Sunday (07.07.13), her agent has announced. Anna's alter-ego - who was based on the aunt of 'EastEnders' creator Tony Holland - was part of the opinionated Beale and Fowler family on Albert Square for three years before she was later killed off in 1988. A show spokesperson said: ''From the very first episode of 'EastEnders, Anna created one of the most iconic matriarchs in...