It's always a joy to see Vincent Price or Christopher Lee in an old movie because their acting skills and presence invariably raise the tension levels even in an un-tense situation.
The Oblong Box is based on a short story by classic horror writer Edgar Allen Poe. Many of his macabre tales have been adapted for the big screen, particularly in the days of two of the best, Hammer and Amicus.
Though it does start out nearly sleep inducing, the movie really starts to come together. The story goes, Sir Julian Markham is caring for his horribly disfigured brother Edward who was attacked and cursed by an African tribe.
Ashamed of his brother, Julian (Vincent Price) chains his brother in a dark secluded room in the manor causing Edward to slowly go insane, and plotting his revenge. Not long after of course, Edward puts in motion a complex scheme to escape, utilizing Julian's most trusted underling, and a witch doctor imported from Africa. A potion supplied by the witch doctor puts Edward into a coma indistinguishable from death. The underling is initially stymied when Julian locks the coffin up before the burial, then callously decides not to risk digging up Edward, dooming him to an agonizing death.
Where most people were not fond of this movie, I thought Price and Lee did their normal excellent job of being creepy, conniving and adding tension and suspense to the film's atmosphere.
5 out of 10 Scarecrows
The Oblong Box is based on a short story by classic horror writer Edgar Allen Poe. Many of his macabre tales have been adapted for the big screen, particularly in the days of two of the best, Hammer and Amicus.
Though it does start out nearly sleep inducing, the movie really starts to come together. The story goes, Sir Julian Markham is caring for his horribly disfigured brother Edward who was attacked and cursed by an African tribe.
Ashamed of his brother, Julian (Vincent Price) chains his brother in a dark secluded room in the manor causing Edward to slowly go insane, and plotting his revenge. Not long after of course, Edward puts in motion a complex scheme to escape, utilizing Julian's most trusted underling, and a witch doctor imported from Africa. A potion supplied by the witch doctor puts Edward into a coma indistinguishable from death. The underling is initially stymied when Julian locks the coffin up before the burial, then callously decides not to risk digging up Edward, dooming him to an agonizing death.
Where most people were not fond of this movie, I thought Price and Lee did their normal excellent job of being creepy, conniving and adding tension and suspense to the film's atmosphere.
5 out of 10 Scarecrows
