This early 1970s horror film feels like something from Hammer Films, displaying a certain intelligence. The story unfolds in 1875 England, where a squire and his adopted son—played by Robert Stephens and Robert Powell respectively—discover what they believe is a way to achieve immortality: capturing the spirit of death, also known as the asphyx or Grim Reaper. As is often the case when people attempt to take on divine roles, things don't go according to plan. "The Asphyx" (1972) can be categorized as intelligent British horror, sharing similarities with films like "The Revenge of Frankenstein" (1958), "Frankenstein Created Woman" (1967), and “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” (1969), along with the upcoming “The Creeping Flesh” (1973). While it’s the most little-known among these, it presents a notably inventive premise. The special effects used to depict the imprisoned asphyx are well done and still work effectively. Jane Lapotaire's portrayal of Christina is an unusual choice for the female lead, and Fiona Walker also appears in the cast. If you examine Robert Powell carefully, you might recognize him from his performance as “Jesus of Nazareth” in 1977. The film’s runtime is 1 hour and 23 minutes; however, a longer version exists in the U.S., adding roughly 12 minutes. This extended edition isn't very good because it contains footage that looks poor due to its source print quality. The shorter cut is preferable as the added scenes weigh down the movie, in my opinion. Filming took place at Shepperton Studios, located southwest of London. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB