>>215198590
2/2
With its careful story and rich characterization, it feels much more like a straight-up adaptation of one of the better British horror novels than a typical horror flick (think of quality writers like Basil Copper or Bernard Taylor), but the story, oddly enough, is actually written by an American. Yet there is so much rapid-fire banter that I can’t help but believe that there is a lot of improvisational work too, and it goes a long way.

But if I have to pick ONE element that gives Death Line that decisive touch of class -- that sets it above Worth a Watch and into Excellent territory -- that would be the presence of DONALD PLEASENCE, who in fact is NOT playing a man of learning who delves into darker matters, as per usual . . . but Inspector Calhoun, a working-class police inspector! Who rattles on endlessly, and realistically, and I can only imagine EXTEMPORANEOUSLY, about cups of hot tea . . . and who badgers the film’s INCREDIBLY ANNOYING American Student with a dozen (sort of) playful threats every half-minute at the station. A too-brief appearance from Christopher Lee as a saucy MI5 agent adds another tasty dash to the mix.