Cradle of Fear (Blu-ray Review)
Director
Alex ChandonRelease Date(s)
2001 (May 12, 2026)Studio(s)
Pragmatic Pictures (Unearthed Films)- Film/Program Grade: B-
- Video Grade: B-
- Audio Grade: C
- Extras Grade: A
Review
Cradle of Fear is an interesting throwback to 70s Amicus Production portmanteau horror like Asylum, From Beyond the Grave and The House That Dripped Blood. But instead of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing we get the band Cradle of Filth and Eileen Daly. Director Alex Chandon spent a period of his life dedicated to the band and this is probably the best love letter they were ever sent. The film focuses on a character named “The Man” (Filth’s lead Dani Filth) as he walks through the movie carrying out a revenge plot surrounding Kemper, an imprisoned satanic child murder who is motivating The Man to commit brutal mutualistic murders in his name. Meanwhile, the police inspector Detective Nielson who was the original arresting officer of Kemper is linking the murders together and eventually gets drawn in for personal reasons—all leading to a horrific standoff in Kemper’s prison. Cradle of Fear is told through linked short films (anthology style, but a bit more seamless than say a Creepshow) featuring each of the murders in gory detail; with The Man being the glue of the film. It’s interesting but very graphic and somewhat in your face. Chandon is a very good filmmaker that didn’t get a solid opportunity to make a “great” film but he has it in him. I’m a fan of his film Pervirella, which is a hyper-stylized cartoon of a film, featuring much of the same cast here including Emily Booth and Daly in standout roles in both films.
The PAL digital video/film is presented uncut in the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. It looks like digital video, and it is, so don’t expect this to be a video showcase. Sound is a supportive 2.0 PCM and it’s fine. The music in the film is the best part with clean audio. There are also English subtitles if you need them.
This is a two-disc special edition. Disc one is mostly making-of. There’s Some Making of Cradle of Fear which is behind-the-scenes footage, The Special German DVD Making of Thing Something for Cradle of Fear hosted by Chandon’s floating head and clearly made for the prior German release. Important Words is Chandon effin’ around at a convention in Germany with German journalists and crew. A behind the scenes gallery set to music from the film and three trailers follow. The second disc is a collection of short films and videos made by Chandon over the years. Most amount to the type of shot on video films all aspiring filmmakers of the 80s and 90s shot with their friends. Some are okay, most are better left being watched amongst his friends. First up is 1988’s Chainsaw Scumf***, a shot on video about a killer in an apartment. Bullshit News (19XX as noted), I honestly can’t remember. Bad Manor (1989) is about two girls trapped in an English manor. There’s a trailer included. Bad Karma (1991) is about a murderous Hare Krishna and comes with a gallery, outtakes and trailer. Drillbit (1992) is an apocalyptic world with a British Mad Max and a drill bit stuck in his eye. It, too, comes with a gallery of behind-the-scenes images and a trailer. Film Extremes 3 (1993) is a promo for a British Fangoria styled magazine, supported by outtakes and an image gallery. There’s a fun trailer for the aforementioned Pervirella and two more shorts: Night Pastor (1998) and Borderline from 2005. Ultimately, it’s a good comprehensive look at a filmmaker with a dedicated fanbase. This is the first time this film and these shorts have been made available like this to North American fans, so if you’re one of those, this is a good set for you to pick up.
- Todd Doogan