Dr. Lamb (1992) Film Review – A Torrent of Torturous Turbulence

Posted on by Jim Cox

Dr. Lamb is a 1992 Hong Kong CAT III horror film, written by Kam-Fai Law and directed by Danny Lee and Billy Hin-Shing Tang. The production is based on the unscrupulous crimes of Hong Kong serial killer Lam Kor-wan, who was arrested in 1982 after murdering four women.

A mentally disturbed taxi driver, Lin Gwao-Yu (Danny Lee) lusts for blood every rainy night, and several young women are brutally murdered. He likes to take photos of the victims’ dismembered bodies as his special mementos after sex with their corpses and stores their severed breasts in pickle jars. Inspector Lee and his team are called onto this bizarre case.

Atypical of the style of CAT III cinema, the story occurs after these heinous crimes have already been committed. The story closely follows the officers investigating the case, rather than the killer, as they capture and slowly break down their suspect’s innocent demeanor, revealing the cold-blooded murderer that lies at his core. As such, the first act is relatively tame in its display of violence, only unleashing its torrent of torturous turbulence over the consecutive acts. Additionally, unlike most CAT III releases, which typically tout the protagonist as a warped anti-hero, Dr Lamb isn’t afraid to portray the main character as a despicable, inhuman monster and the definitive antagonist of the story.

The film’s implementation of practical special effects certainly exacerbates these reprehensible acts, displaying an unflinching study of the butchering and dismemberment of these murder victims in the greatest of detail. Full realism in these scenes was the highest of priorities, which Dr Lamb fully achieved in an impressive exhibition of body mutilation. Even a hardened veteran of extreme cinema would have difficulty explaining how these effects are accomplished with such authenticity without delving into the realms of its subject matter.

Dr Lamb (1992) CAT III Nastiness

In contrast to these visceral acts, Dr. Lamb features absolutely beautiful levels of cinematography, with remarkably stylish use of reflections, utilising the film’s minute locations with an innovative way to keep characters in the frame. Emphasizing these scenes is the employment of coloured lighting organically sourced from the pulsing neon lights of Hong Kong nightlife, drenching scenes in remarkable shades depending on the scene’s intent; delivering intense blues to represent a murderous intent, as well as deep reds for more sexual aspects of the story.

Dr Lamb is available to preorder at Unearthed Films website for the first time released uncut in the West and is full of special features. Including:

  • Commentary From Art Ettinger (Ultra Violent) And Bruce Holecheck (Cinema Arcana)
  • Lamb To The Slaughter: An Interview With Filmmaker Gilbert Po Who Initiated The Dr Lamb Film Project
  • Three Times The Fear: Film Critic James Mudge On The Golden Era Of Category III
  • Cut And Run: Film Academic Sean Tierney Aka The Silver Spleen Remembers Dr Lamb
  • Atomic TV Interview With Simon Yam
  • Collectors Booklet
  • Trailers

Considered notorious for a reason, Dr. Lamb is an unflinching, though exaggerated look into the true life crimes of Lam Kor-Wan–a story seemingly perfect for CAT III cinema. Although not held in as high regard as some bigger titles from this particular brand of cinema nastiness, the film’s beautiful cinematography, along with its gritty visulisations of violence and sexual abuse allude to an intense, yet thoroughly enjoyable experience throughout.

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