Cradle of Fear DVD Review

Cradle of Fear is a quartet of stories that are tied together by the incarcerated child murderer Kemper (David McEwen) and his plans to take revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment. The first tale introduces us to "the Man" (Dani Filth), Kemper's devoted servant, and his encounter with Melissa played by the delectable Emily Booth. Sex, mutant babies and lots of blood make this an encouraging start. Next is a story of two lovely young lady thieves, who attempt to rob an old man in his home of his savings. The third tells of amputee Nick (Louie Brownsell) and his obsession with getting a new leg by any means, and his long suffering partner Natalie (Eileen Daly). The final saga is a twisted morality tale about Richard Neilson (Stuart Laing) and his fixation with finding the ”sick room“, a pay-per-view snuff web site that he stumbles upon online.

Cradle of Fear has been made along the same lines as the classic Amicus portmanteau films, paying homage to 70’s horror while spewing out copious amounts of modern sex and gore. There are fine performances from Stuart Laing, with his descent into madness, and Barry Lee-Thomas, as the obsessed copper. Then there’s the joy of beholding the pulchritudinous Emily Booth and the lascivious Eileen Daly. This is a rare treat indeed. What never ceases to amaze me is the amount of negative comments I’ve seen online about this film, this is what we’ve been waiting years for in a British horror film and I for one veritably reveled in it’s blood-soaked burlesque. Alex Chandon’s Cradle of Fear is a brilliant, over the top gore fest with tons of gratuitous violence, lovely ladies and free flowing red stuff. Rule Britannia.

S.J.T.

Cradle of Fear. 2001

Directed by Alex Chandon