Scream and Scream Again
Scream and Scream Again is a 1970 British science fiction horror film directed by Gordon Hessler.[1] Loosely based on the 1966 novel The Disoriented Man by Peter Saxon (a pseudonym for authors W. Howard Baker and Stephen Frances), the film stars horror legends Vincent Price as Dr. Browning, Christopher Lee as a government agent, and Peter Cushing as a fascist leader, alongside Alfred Marks as Detective Bellaver.[1][2] It follows a London police investigation into a serial killer who drains victims' blood, revealing a conspiracy involving organ harvesting, composite human experiments, and political intrigue aimed at creating super-soldiers.[1][3] Produced by Amicus Productions in association with American International Productions and distributed by American International Pictures, the film premiered in the United Kingdom in January 1970 and in the United States on February 13, 1970, with a runtime of 95 minutes.[1][4] Its fragmented narrative structure, blending thriller elements with body horror, draws comparisons to earlier AIP-Amicus collaborations but stands out for its ambitious, if disjointed, exploration of scientific ethics and authoritarianism.[1] Critically, Scream and Scream Again received mixed reviews upon release, praised for its atmospheric tension and the rare on-screen teaming of Price, Lee, and Cushing, but critiqued for its convoluted plot and uneven pacing.[3] It holds a 63% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 16 reviews, reflecting its cult status among fans of 1970s British horror.[3] The film's legacy endures through home video releases and its influence on later sci-fi thrillers involving unethical medical experiments.[5]Overview
Plot
The film unfolds through a non-linear narrative, alternating between three primary storylines that gradually converge in London, revealing a sinister scientific conspiracy.[6] One thread follows Ken (Nigel Lambert), a young man who collapses while jogging through the foggy streets of London. He awakens in a sterile hospital room under the care of a nurse, only to discover that his right leg has been amputated below the knee. As he screams in horror, the scene cuts away. Subsequent sequences show Ken repeatedly "recovering" from accidents, each time losing more of his body: first his left leg, then his right arm, and finally his left arm, leaving him as a limbless torso struggling to communicate his terror. These episodes emphasize his progressive dismemberment and reanimation, with Dr. Browning (Vincent Price) overseeing the procedures in a hidden facility.[7][8] Intercut with Ken's ordeal is the covert espionage of agent Konratz (Marshall Jones) in an unnamed Eastern Bloc country resembling a fascist regime, marked by militaristic uniforms and hierarchical ceremonies. Konratz, possessing unnatural strength and a lethal touch that electrocutes victims with a humming crunch, assassinates high-ranking officials one by one to climb the power structure. He begins by killing a superior during a briefing, then eliminates others, including Major Heinrich Benedek (Peter Cushing) in a cabinet meeting, using his superhuman abilities to strangle or shock them without resistance. After a series of assassinations, Konratz defects westward, eventually heading toward the United Kingdom.[6][9] The third thread centers on Detective Superintendent Bellaver (Alfred Marks) leading a London police investigation into a series of bizarre murders. Young women, such as Eileen Stevens, are found dead and exsanguinated, with puncture wounds suggesting a vampire-like killer. Bellaver's team stakes out a swinging discotheque, where the suspect, Keith (Michael Gothard), a charismatic pickup artist with hypnotic charm, lures victims. Posing as a policewoman, Sylvia (Judy Huxtable) seduces Keith, but he reveals superhuman speed and strength during a prolonged car chase through London streets, evading capture until cornered at a remote estate. Handcuffed to a police vehicle, Keith rips off his own arm—revealing it as artificial—and flees into a vat of acid, dissolving gruesomely.[10][6][8] As the threads intertwine, Sylvia awakens in the same hospital as Ken, strapped to an operating table under Dr. Browning's scalpel. A forensic investigator, Dr. David Sorel (Christopher Matthews), infiltrates the facility and uncovers jars of preserved body parts in a deep freeze. Browning explains the operation: a covert program to create "composite" superhumans by surgically grafting limbs and organs from unwilling donors like Ken and the murder victims, enhancing them with synthetic elements for obedience and strength. These beings, including Keith and Konratz, are designed to infiltrate and control governments, with Fremont (Christopher Lee) as the supreme hierarchical leader directing the conspiracy from a command center. Konratz bursts into the lab during Sylvia's procedure, sparking a confrontation where his deadly touch fries electronic controls and synthetic nurses.[9][6] The climax escalates as Konratz fights Dr. Browning, with both falling into a vat of acid and perishing. Sorel frees Sylvia and confronts Fremont, who escapes. Bellaver pursues surviving composites through London amid exploding equipment, but the conspiracy is only partially thwarted, leaving the fate of the remaining superhumans ambiguous. Ken's torso, now integrated into a new composite body, stirs to life as the film ends on a note of unresolved dread.[7][8]Principal Cast
The film features a notable ensemble of actors, particularly drawing on established figures in the horror genre. The principal roles include:| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vincent Price | Dr. Browning | Portrays the central mad scientist figure overseeing experimental procedures.[11] |
| Christopher Lee | Fremont | Depicts the authoritative leader of a secretive intelligence operation.[11] |
| Peter Cushing | Major Heinrich Benedek | Appears in a brief but pivotal cameo as a dictatorial regime official.[11] |
| Alfred Marks | Detective Superintendent Bellaver | Serves as the grounded, persistent law enforcement investigator.[11] |
| Michael Gothard | Keith | Plays the enhanced, predatory operative involved in covert actions.[11] |
Supporting Roles
Supporting the main narrative are several key characters that add depth to the intrigue:| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Jones | Konratz | Represents a ruthless agent from an Eastern Bloc entity.[11] |
| Anthony Newlands | Ludwig | Acts as a clinical assistant in the scientific endeavors.[11] |
| David Lodge | Detective Inspector Phil Strickland | Provides additional investigative support (end credits only).[11] |
| Judy Huxtable | Sylvia | Portrays one of the targeted victims in the unfolding events.[11] |
| Christopher Matthews | Dr. David Sorel | Functions as a forensic expert aiding the police inquiry.[11] |
| Nigel Lambert | Ken Sparten | Depicts the initial hospital patient subjected to procedures.[11] |