Raw Meat

Raw Meat (1973), alternatively known as "Death Line", is a British horror film directed by Gary Sherman, which stars acclaimed actors such as the ever-versatile Donald Pleasence, the talented David Ladd, and the gifted character actor Norman Rossington. This unique blend of horror and mystery is a constant pull between spine-chilling scenes and an intriguing plot that keeps you glued to the edge of your seat until the final credits roll.

Set in the heart of London, the plot of Raw Meat revolves around one of the city's defining features - its underground. In a unique take on urban horror, the movie effectively capitalizes on the eerie allure of abandoned tube stations and dark, grimy tunnels–locations that anyone familiar with the city's subterranean transport system will find both familiar and foreboding.

Donald Pleasence portrays Inspector Calhoun, his performance a masterful blend of eccentricity and gritty determination, infusing the film with a distinctive edgy charm. Calhoun is tossed into a perplexing missing persons case, where high-ranking civil servants start to disappear without a trace around the Russell Square tube station. His investigation leads him deeper into London's seedy underworld, unveiling a story as old as London itself.

Playing against Pleasence’s streetwise Inspector is David Ladd’s character, an American student studying in London. He, alongside his British girlfriend, are drawn into this enigma when they come across an unconscious man in the tube station, who just happens to be one of the missing civil servants the police are looking for.

Norman Rossington as Detective Sergeant Rogers lends his characteristic acting flair to the film, further enhancing its charisma. The banter and chemistry between Pleasence as the unorthodox Inspector and Rossington’s slightly cynical, but loyal Sergeant, add a further layer to the narrative.

The film sets itself apart with its brave ventures into social commentary–a subtle critique of the class divide wrapped up in a horror package. As the plot unravels, the film revisits the past, delving into a century-old construction disaster and revealing the subterranean existence of a haunting forgotten society, survivors turned subhuman.

Raw Meat explores the themes of survival, cannibalism, and societal stratification in a chilling, sometimes macabre manner, offering suspense and terror in equal measure. Director Gary Sherman effectively uses the setting and plot to create a sense of dark claustrophobia, as characters and viewers alike unravel a horrifying, otherworldly existence within the heart of modern London. The Music by Wil Malone & Jeremy Rose adds an eerie atmosphere that complements the film's chilling narrative.

The movie showcases a unique blend of British eccentricity and bone-chilling horror, with a storyline that continually swings from witty dialogue to terrifying uncertainty. Sherman's creative direction, the impressive cinematography by Alex Thomson, and the approach to practical special effects in the era before CGI, add to the film's success–making it a fantastic watch for horror fans who appreciate a well-established plot with their scares.

With an intelligent script by Ceri Jones based on a story by Sherman, Raw Meat maintains a balance between the horror of the unknown and the possibilities hinted at by the plot’s intricacies. This film’s horrifying take on what might lurk beneath our everyday lives continues to endure, over four decades later.

In a nutshell, Raw Meat is an unforgettable journey through London's underground, maintaining both a creepy atmosphere and some well-timed, dry British humour. It's an immensely well-crafted piece of British cinema that successfully melds suspense, horror, and social commentary into an intriguing narrative. It will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions from start to finish, whilst leaving you deeply contemplative of the societal concerns it boldly but subtly highlights. Engaging acting, a captivating storyline, and brilliant direction make it an essential viewing experience for those serious about their horror and suspense genres.