Theater of Blood
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Movie Reviews of Theater of Blood
Movie Review: 'The World Was Never Meant For One As Beautiful As You'
Summary: 5 Stars
Even in horror's hey-day, films like 'Theatre of Blood' didn't come along very often. Apart from Price, this is one of those horror movies (like 'Twisted Nerve' - see below) not produced by traditional horror people.
You don't see many of the names flashing above TOB's imaginative title sequence, putting in a shift at Hammer or Tigon. You could take up a whole review just listing the achievements of the various contributors, and it'd be as fascinating as the film itself.
What you get when you allow 'strangers' into the (our?) genre (see also The Wicker Man and Peeping Tom) is basically just a fresh perspective; usually a director, alien to the peculiar ideals of the formulaic and the stylised, wanting to break out and compact a few new ideas. Fine in the case of Powell, or maybe even Kubrick... demented visualists who could make Hugh Grant appear scintillating, but it's left to chance with 'unknowns' however long they've been in the business and however worthy their intentions...
'ToB' is a seriously beautiful film; each performance is refined, subtle..and tongues are firmly lodged.
I doubt Robert Morley - and this includes telling nasty lefty PM Harold Wilson where to stuff his knighthood - ever enjoyed an outing more than he does here. As Meredith Merridew - theatre critic and TOB's chow connoisseur - wobbling about in a pink suit, wearing the same hairstyle as his delicious poodles and camping it up like Christmas...and his is but one glorious cameo among many.
Of course Price steals it. His Edward Lionheart is a joy, a celebratory peak in the genre. Tempering his moments of raving and savagery with tenderness for his devoted daughter (Diana Rigg - layered), and pathos - particularly in the flashback sequence at the critics post-awards ceremony bun-fight - Price conveys all the years his massive talent was cloaked in b-movies and schlock, while the gongs invariably clanged elsewhere.
He's on fire, playing the Shakespeare greats with gusto and vim: each reconstruction murder played to perfection, each soliloquy cherished and savoured. It's almost painful to watch: our gain is the actors great pain. I often see him elevating some over-composed, wobbling-set atrocity, and think exactly what he must've been thinking..."why ?"
Price retrieves every ounce of bitter experience he possesses to send Lionheart out into fantasy greatness. Every worthless line, every shady make-up in some addled hackery, every great role by-passed, every time his own stereotype punched him in the plexus, every time William Castle rang him...all crammed into Lionheart; fit to burst and reign bloody vengeance on the establishment.
'ToB' is a stunner. Resoundingly tragic, amusingly literate and about as good a genre movie as it's possible to produce.
Adorable, much missed Vincent's finest hour and forty.
Movie Review: "I am sorry to miss the meeting, but my heart is with you."
Summary: 5 Stars
I must confess I had a slightly different movie in mind with "Theater of Blood" ... I expected star Vincent Price to be way over the top, with gallons of blood spilling everywhere and a totally crazy, highly obvious sense of humor. Reviews which I'd read up until then had given me a totally different impression of what to expect, while still describing the film accurately. I was surprised to discover, upon watching this masterpiece, that it really takes itself quite seriously (or at least, more than I thought it would), that Mr. Price is actually very intense, and the sense of humor, while still very present, is both a bit more restrained and a bit more subtle than I'd anticipated. But this in no way means I was disappointed ... rather, I enjoyed viewing "Theater" very much indeed.
Price plays a failed actor, one Edward Lionheart, who in spite of being thought dead is really alive and well, and has begun plotting his murderous revenge on the critics who cursed his career by giving his performances bad reviews. Through a series of highly entertaining vignettes, we watch Lionheart carry out his plans with the help of a troupe of homeless meths drinkers who have taken up residence in the abandoned theater he's decided to call home, along with the aid of a mysterious young man with a huge Derek Smalls-esque mustache and poofy, poofy hair (ah, the Seventies ... ). Each murder is taken from a play by William Shakespeare, and I'm shamed to say (as someone who's scarcely touched anything written by the man, save for "Julius Caesar" in high school) that I was able to recognize only one of them (the first one, which is based on the murder of Julius Caesar, naturally). The ways these murders are carried out have to be seen to be believed, and they are the chief source of the pleasure that is to be found in watching this film (after Price's simultaneously intense, flamboyant, tragic, and humorous performance, I should say). My favorite among them, involving a bedside beheading, was loaded with precious moments and needs to be watched at least twice with each viewing.
Though not what I expected, "Theater" was excellent nevertheless, and is certain to become a favorite for anyone who enjoys horror stories, tales of murder or suspense, black (and red) comedy, or just watching a master actor give the performance of his life (playing, of all things, an actor giving the performance of his life). The DVD is very basic, providing only a trailer in the way of bonus material (and it's not a very good one ... don't watch it till after you've seen the movie, or it will spoil a number of the best parts). If you haven't seen "Theater" yet, or if you don't yet have it in your collection, what are you waiting for? Buy it today.
Carry on Carry on,
MN
Movie Review: "Now is the winter of our discontent..."
Summary: 5 Stars
Who knew Shakespeare could be so much fun? More often than not, his plays seemed to put me to sleep in high school literature class. Funny how a movie like this can make you see things in a different light, even make you appreciate his work. I guess it's all in the presentation.
In Theater of Blood, Vincent Price plays Edward Lionheart, a Shakespearian actor who takes revenge on his critics through some particularly devious means after suffering many a bad review. What I really enjoyed, besides Price's outstanding performance, was how he incorporated the murders to fit in with Shakespearian plays. It was a really nice touch that elevated this movie from your typical horror movie to a masterpiece of the genre.
Price plays it perfectly, as an over the top actor, quoting lines from various plays as the curtain falls on each of his victims. I loved how he had that big book containing all his reviews, to which he would refer before dispatching some of his intended targets. Also, I thought Diana Rigg was wonderful as Price's daughter, Edwina. Not only is she very easy on the eyes, but also she complimented Price's performance nicely. If you've seen the earlier Price movie, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, you will certainly recognize a number of similarities in the plot of both movies. Both involve the main character supposedly coming back from the dead to exact revenge. In 'Phibes', his vengeance is focused on the doctors and nurses Price feels are responsible for his wife's death, while here his wrath is aimed at those responsible for the death of his career. Also, both movies involve meticulous planning of the murders to fit into a specific, overall theme, including rather gruesome and horrifying means of demise for the intended victims.
It's all played tongue in cheek, and works so well. This is one of my favorite Price films, and really excellent example of him at his best. If for nothing else, this movie is worth watching to see Price in the guise of a hairdresser, in setting up a death sequence with a female victim. Seeing him in those groovy clothes, glasses stolen from Elton John, and ridiculously oversized afro is truly 'priceless'.
Cookieman108
Movie Review: scary and fun, but what else do you expect from ol' price
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is really fun to watch. A creative storyline, great acting, and superb direction make this the perfect "midnite movie." If you enjoyed some of Vincent Price's other films, such as Last Man on Earth(one of the absolute scariest), House on Haunted Hill, Cry of the Banshee, Tower of London, and others, you will love this. With dark, witty humour and some truly horrific scenes, this movie is well worth your money and time. The synopsis is as follows: an underappreciated stage actor by the name of Richard Lionheart attemps suicide after being denied the "best actors award." However, his suicide fails, and he is discovered by a group of bums who help him and eventually assist him in his dirty deeds, along with his vengeful daughter, Edwina. He begins killing the critics who panned his performances, usually luring them to his secret playhouse using his daughter (who is disguised in various ways). He kills all but one critic, and the end I will leave for you to find out. This is a scary and humourous film that will make you cower in fear and laugh delightfully. Then again, if Vincent Price is in it, how could you expect any less? I reccommend buying this movie on the double feature disc along with "Madhouse," another horror film with Price and Peter Cushing that I have unfortunately not seen yet. I will, though, when I buy this wonderful movie on the double disc.
Also reccommended: Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Haunting, Halloween, Friday 13th, The Burning, He Knows You're Alone, Curtains, The Changeling, The Shining, The Omen, Night of the Living Dead, Creepshow, etc. There are many more, just look around on amazon.com. Have a ripping good time being scared.
Movie Review: a wonderful horror comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
drip...drip...drip...goes the blood from the head of a poor victim in this chilling horror film that adds morbid humor and pathos in a strange but satisfying marriage. Price plays a demented Shakespearean actor named Edward Lionhart, who spent his entire career being panned by the critics for his over-the-top performances...do i detect a bit of reality in this movie? Diana Rigg plays the daughter, Edwina. The tale of actor versus critic is a wonderful subject to explore. This film is very graphic in it's violence, one scene shows a man's head falling off his body while he lay next to his wife! In another gut-wrenching scene, the ONLY critic who was even likable dies in a wine barrel. Robert Morley is seen as the gay critic, whose force-fed a nice dish of poodle stew from "Chef" Lionhart. Coral Browne, as the only female critic, gets treated to a new hairstyle by "Butch", a gay hairdresser {which is Vincent, wearing a laugh out loud orange wig and sporting a gay walk and speaking style! it's so hilarious that it's the highlight of the film.} Milo O'Shea and Eric Sykes portray the baffled police on the pursuit. Ian Hendry also appears in the film. This is a great movie for ALL Vincent Price fans. Several of my fellow reviewers have pointed out the film quality or the storyline...who cares. It's Vincent and we get to see him strike down his opponents with one gruesome death after another! What more could you want??? like the promo on the movie says: "This Actor doesn't just break a leg...he knocks 'em dead one by one".