Just The Points #2 - Beasts (1976) Episode 4 - 'Baby'
Nigel Kneale, you beautiful bastard
Total Score: 16/23.
Another shorter post. Mostly because I can’t remember the episode as well as I’d like. But it’s excellent - a tight folk-horror banger - tense and arch as you could ever want. The tension builds up really well and the characters are written perfectly to deliver the story. While the very end is a slight letdown (it looks a bit crap) it’s more than made up for by how great the rest of it is. It’s very Andrew-Michael Hurley’s Starve Acre (yet another mention today) - but a bit less weird and grief-stricken.
Also, the foetus prop is downright freaky. When they find it is is SERIOUSLY spooky. When it’s in the cupboard, you’re coiled like a spring. Even the cat freaking out at the beginning sets the tone well. The exposition is delivered believably and it’s a real masterclass in storytelling.
Overall, a great watch, and a short one too.
As ever, thanks for reading,
Until next time,
H.E.