In 1906, arrogant English anthropologist Professor Sir Alexander Saxton (Christopher Lee) discovers a preserved ape-like beast in the frozen wastes of Manchuria which he believes may be the evolutionary ‘Missing Link’.
He brings the creature back to Europe aboard the Trans-Siberian express, but during the trip the monster thaws out and starts to butcher the passengers one by one.
Gentle Dr Wells (Peter Cushing) is called upon to perform a number of autopsies in the baggage compartment of the train, sawing the heads off corpses and examining their brains.
Before the creature dies, it takes over the body of a policeman and we gradually discover that the frozen beast holds some dark secrets. Turns out he’s not a neanderthal after all. He’s an extra-terrestrial.
Cossack leader Captain Karzan (Telly Savalas) boards the train with his troops and proceeds to chew the scenery with much gusto. Things get even crazier as mad monk Father Pujardov (Alberto de Mendoza) goes berserk, making Rasputin seem sane and sedate by comparison.
Apart from Cushing, Lee and Savalas, the supporting cast is mostly Spanish (it was a British/Spanish co-production) and they all act well in their roles.
Professor Sir Alexander Saxton
Christopher Lee
Dr Wells
Peter Cushing
Father Pujardov
Alberto de Mendoza
Count Maryan Petrovski
George Rigaud
Countess Irina Petrovska
Silvia Tortosa
Inspector Mirov
Julio Peña
Yevtushenko
Ángel del Pozo
Natasha
Helga Liné
Miss Jones
Alice Reinheart
Konev the Conductor
José Jaspe
Baggage Man
Víctor Israel
Miss Bennett
Faith Clift
Creature
Juan Olaguivel
Grashinski the Locksmith
Hiroshi Kitatawa
Station Master
Vicente Roca
Vorkin
José Marco
Captain O’Hagan
Allen Russell
Captain Kazan
Telly Savalas
Director
Eugenio Martín
