Starring Gig Young, Carol Lynley, Oliver Reed, Flora Robson, Judith Arthy
Directed by David Greene
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A young woman returns with her husband to her childhood home on the isle of Dunwich, but the island residents warn her it is a house of evil.
Based on a story by August Derleth and H.P. Lovecraft, this is a disturbing tale of horror, but the shocking secret of the house is at times less disturbing then the reckless youths of the island, who also threaten the young couple. Although this affords a showy role for Oliver Reed as the gang's ringleader, it's too similar to parts he's played before, and I feel the filmmakers would have been better off focusing more on the mystery behind the creature in "the shuttered room." The film's avant-garde music score, featuring a combination of jazz and discordant rhythms is as interesting risk, although I'm not sure it makes the picture any better. Still, the cast puts in good work here, there's some striking photography, and the story is a classic, even if the film isn't.
Showing posts with label Flora Robson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flora Robson. Show all posts
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Eye Of The Devil (1966)
Starring Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Donald Pleasence, Edward Mulhare, Flora Robson
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A Frenchman returns to his ancestral castle with little explanation to his family, but when his wife follows him there, she discovers he's become involved in weird pagan rituals.
Well-acted and visually striking, with accomplished photography and good suspenseful direction by Thompson, this is an intriguing little mystery, although it reveals its secrets a little too soon. It probably would have also benefitted from displaying a bit more than the small glimpses of paganism it affords, and not placing quite so heavy an emphasis on Kerr's character. Still, it's impressively assembled, and is notable for including the first major role for lovely actress Sharon Tate, who per Wikipedia, had her promising film career cut short by her tragic murder at the hands of the followers of Charles Manson.
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)
A Frenchman returns to his ancestral castle with little explanation to his family, but when his wife follows him there, she discovers he's become involved in weird pagan rituals.
Well-acted and visually striking, with accomplished photography and good suspenseful direction by Thompson, this is an intriguing little mystery, although it reveals its secrets a little too soon. It probably would have also benefitted from displaying a bit more than the small glimpses of paganism it affords, and not placing quite so heavy an emphasis on Kerr's character. Still, it's impressively assembled, and is notable for including the first major role for lovely actress Sharon Tate, who per Wikipedia, had her promising film career cut short by her tragic murder at the hands of the followers of Charles Manson.
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