The Skull
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Movie Reviews of The Skull
Movie Review: Great fun for classic horror fans!
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Skull" is a 1965 Amicus production that treats fans to the pairing of horror legends Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Inspired by a story by Robert Bloch [who also wrote Psycho], "The Skull" stars Cushing as Dr Maitland, an occult collector, who likes to study arcane objects. His 'frenemy' is Sir Matthew Phillips [Christopher Lee], and the pair are portrayed as rivals for the acquisition of rare occult artifacts. One night, Marco, a dealer in such objects, sells Maitland a biography of the Marquis de Sade, which is unique as it is bound in human skin. Later, Marco tempts Maitland with the promise of the skull of the infamous sadist, believed to be cursed, and to possess supernatural powers. When Phillips [Lee] comes to know that Maitland is interested in the marquis' skull, he warns Maitland against acquiring it, telling him the skull is evil and will possess it's owner. The rest of the movie centers on what Maitland does and the consequences.
Though the movie is carried by Cushing, who plays the lead role, Lee's role is not insignificant, though he only appears in a few scenes. The chemistry shared by these two legends is palpable, and I loved the way they interacted, portraying a friendly rivalry that has been seen again and again in other movies. The movie is also highly atmospheric, which is one reason I love horror movies of this period. Though the actual special effects are cheesy by today's standards, the atmosphere, setting, and especially acting elevate these movies to classic status. The DVD features are quite pitiful really, but I'd still say this is a must-have for fans of period horror, and classic horror.
Movie Review: Get Ahead
Summary: 4 Stars
For the life of me, I can never work out why 'the Skull' isn't better thought of across the horror world.
It's moody, got inclusively great performances and a brash, kickin' soundtrack.
Cast-wise, it's nigh on untouchable: Peter Cushing plays Maitland, a fool-hardy collector of occult 'curios' who comes to own the possessed skull of the Marquis de Sade, Patrick Wymark is brilliantly squalid as the shady antiques dealer, Marco, Christopher Lee and Peter Woodthorpe make telling cameo-appearances, and the deeply sexy (and good actress(!)) Jill Bennett plays Cushing's terrified wife, pushed to her limit by his obsession.
It's got Hammer-esque cemetery scenes, bulging-eyed insanity murders, a brilliantly trippy dream sequence where Cushing is forced to play Russian Roulette in a mad courthouse, and a devilish, grinning titular villain that floats around his front parlour very stylishly - even with a vicious letter-opener rammed in it's eye.
There may well be typically cryptic 60's drug metaphors abounding(I can sense them, but I'm damned if I can coherently uncover one for you), but that's not why 'the Skull' is so watch-able and entertaining.
It's a combination job, and with all it's component parts firing so finely, it can't do much else but work beautifully.
It's an elegant film, totally out of sync with many of its rivals and peers of the brash, boundary-pushing 1960's. Hopefully, this long overdue dvd release will redress the balance in 'the Skull's favour, and bring it to a modern audience, it's unavailability being the only reason I can see why its not being hailed.
Movie Review: Effective chiller with great cast
Summary: 4 Stars
Here's a real treat: A non-Hammer pairing of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee from 1965, which actually outshines much of the work the pair did for Hammer. The simple yet highly engaging story (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD) centers around the title object, the alleged skull of the infamous Marquis de Sade. When Christopher Maitland (Cushing) acquires the stolen skull, he consults with its former owner (Lee), who warns Maitland that he'd probably be much better off without it.
Soon, the skull is possessing those around it, inciting them to kill. Maitland himself eventually succumbs to its evil influence, and Cushing admirably carries much of the film alone, propelled by Elisabeth Lutyen's eerie, jangly score. Director Freddie Francis keeps the camera moving, even boldy setting up several shots from the skull's point-of-view. And the skull itself is a marvellously unsettling prop--as much a character in the film as the flesh-and-blood ones. The technicolor photography is gorgeous to look at, and has been lovingly reproduced for this DVD.
The only extra included is the terrific theatrical trailer, which gives away a bit too much, but will certainly make viewers want to see the entire film. In fact, I'd suggest watching it before the movie to really whet your appetite for a good old-fashioned chiller in the classic mold. Highly recommended for fans of classic horror.
Movie Review: Nice gothic style movie from Amicus
Summary: 4 Stars
First of all, I am glad this Amicus classic is out on DVD. The actual release offers a very good widescreen, analog to digital transfer with the trailer as the only extra here. English subtitles are provided only. The movie clearly fits into the early 1960s' more gothic style of British horror. I am giving four stars to this film because the character played by Christopher Lee (sadly) does not do much on the script, and the ending is flat and a bit out of imagination. That said, I would never miss getting a copy of this atmospheric film, with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing together once more. Hopefully two more Freddie Francis (director) titles will be produced on DVD soon, including "Tales that witness madness", and "Legend of the werewolf".Movie Review: A very good 70's British Horror flick
Summary: 4 Stars
Peter Cushing is at his clinically clean best as an ambitious and "do anything" collector of Historical Horror artifacts.
He finally lands on a horror collectors dream... the Skull of the "Marqui De Sade"
The Skull has a life force that kills at will and floats around in the midst a green fog like cloud. Once Cushings character obtains the skull all kinds of nasty horror stuff starts happening. The dream sequence is very well done. Chistopher Lee stars as the previous owner of the "Skull" who advises Peter Cushing to get rid of it at any cost.
An Amicus production. It's a very good 70's Britsh Horror Flick.
Excellent Remastering.