WIN A LINK BLU-RAY
American zoology student Jane (80s stalwart Elisabeth Shue) takes a summer job at the lonely English cliff-top home of one of her lecturers, the single-minded anthropologist, Dr. Steven Phillip (the inimitable Terence Stamp). Dr. Phillip, whose work explores the link between man and ape, suddenly vanishes, leaving Jane to care for his three chimps alone. Voodoo is a savage female, Imp is affectionate and child-like whilst Link is a circus ape trained as the perfect servant and companion.
A disturbing role reversal rapidly begins to take place between master and servant and Jane rapidly finds herself a prisoner in a simian house of horror. In her attempts to escape she finds herself up against an adversary several times her physical strength with the instincts of a bloodthirsty killer. Inspired by scientific research on violence amongst chimpanzees, the film wasn’t originally intended to be a fantasy but, instead, to reflect the reality of what chimps could be capable of whilst challenging the 60s anthropological theory that man was the only species capable of making war with itself.
Link is also notable for being one of a very small number of films to be made with animals not to have received a single complaint of cruelty due, exclusively, to the work of legendary animal trainer Ray Berwick. This oft underappreciated tale incorporating director Richard Franklin’s trademark Hitchcockian style has gone on to achieve cult status since its release in 1986. Newly restored, LINK will be available to own on Blu-Ray, DVD and download from February 1.
You could win one of two Blu-Rays of this horror gem, courtesy of Studiocanal, by answering the following question: Who wrote the chilling score for Link? Send your name, address and the answer to competition@new-classics.co.uk by 14 February 2021, and the best of luck.
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