The Skull(1965)
08/25/1965 (US)Horror, Thriller1h 23m
6.0
"When the Skull strikes you'll scream!"
Overview
The Skull [from a short story by Robert Bloch, author of Psycho] is a fearsome, finely acted and moody tale of Gothic horror. The 150 year old skull of the Marquis de Sade has been taken from its grave, bringing terror to those who own it. Demonologist Christopher Maitland [Peter Cushing] is eager to add the piece to his occult collection. Despite the warnings of a friend [Christopher Lee], he's got to have it. And does he ever get it.
Freddie Francis
Director
Robert Bloch
Story
Milton Subotsky
Screenplay
Robert Bloch
Writer
Top Billed Cast
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IL TESCHIO MALEDETTO (1965) Con Peter Cushing - Trailer Originale
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Joe Dante on THE SKULL
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A review by Wuchak
4.0
Written on March 28, 2020
**_Features Peter Cushing & Christopher Lee, but way too much filler_**
A researcher of the occult and esoterica (Peter Cushing) apprehends the skull of the nefarious Marquis de Sade and learns that something evil is attached to it, which negatively influences its owners. Patrick Wymark plays his source for artifacts while Christopher Lee plays a rival collector. Patrick Magee is on hand as an inspector.
“The Skull” (1965) is worth checking out for fans of British horror featuring Cushing and/or Lee, but it places with the least of their works. There’s just way too much filler. The runtime could’ve been cut in half and it would’ve been a compelling mini-movie. As it is, it’s just too drawn out for the material to maintain interest.
However, the theme is interesting: Can articles have evil spirits attached to them? During the days of the early Church, articles that Paul touched, like handkerchiefs and aprons, “were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them” (Acts 19:11-12). It was the same thing with Peter’s shadow. These things had the anointing of God on them and thus physically or mentally ill people exposed to them were healed and demons fled! A good example from the Old Testament would be Elisha’s bones noted in 2 Kings 13. These various items were blessed as conduits of God’s power. Could the inverse also be true? Could certain items be cursed with a demonic non-anointing? If the former is true with the kingdom of light, isn’t it possible that the reverse is also true with the kingdom of darkness in some cases, particular items like idols?
The movie runs 1 hour, 23 minutes and was shot at Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England; as well as Great Cumberland Place, Marylebone, London (Maitland's home).
GRADE: C-
A researcher of the occult and esoterica (Peter Cushing) apprehends the skull of the nefarious Marquis de Sade and learns that something evil is attached to it, which negatively influences its owners. Patrick Wymark plays his source for artifacts while Christopher Lee plays a rival collector. Patrick Magee is on hand as an inspector.
“The Skull” (1965) is worth checking out for fans of British horror featuring Cushing and/or Lee, but it places with the least of their works. There’s just way too much filler. The runtime could’ve been cut in half and it would’ve been a compelling mini-movie. As it is, it’s just too drawn out for the material to maintain interest.
However, the theme is interesting: Can articles have evil spirits attached to them? During the days of the early Church, articles that Paul touched, like handkerchiefs and aprons, “were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them” (Acts 19:11-12). It was the same thing with Peter’s shadow. These things had the anointing of God on them and thus physically or mentally ill people exposed to them were healed and demons fled! A good example from the Old Testament would be Elisha’s bones noted in 2 Kings 13. These various items were blessed as conduits of God’s power. Could the inverse also be true? Could certain items be cursed with a demonic non-anointing? If the former is true with the kingdom of light, isn’t it possible that the reverse is also true with the kingdom of darkness in some cases, particular items like idols?
The movie runs 1 hour, 23 minutes and was shot at Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England; as well as Great Cumberland Place, Marylebone, London (Maitland's home).
GRADE: C-
