Customer Reviews

THE PYX

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I must disagree with the prior review; I saw the film theatrically in 1973 when it first opened theatrically and was a bit put off; then I saw it again about a year later and saw plot points I had missed the first time and found the film to actually be quite intricate with fascinating characters. Karen Black turns in one of her best performances as Elizabeth Lucy, the heroin-addicted prostitute (and she also wrote and performs several effective songs on the soundtrack). Far more intellectual and riveting than many "thrillers", I highly recommend this film to anyone who likes intelligent screenplays and also a film that makes them think a bit. Recommended.

I've loved Karen Black ever since I sat rivetted by her performance in TRILOGY OF TERROR, back about a million years ago. THE PYX has Ms. Black as Elizabeth Lucy, a heroin-addicted prostitute, just trying to get by. Unfortunately, she gets drawn into a horrific situation, resulting in her demise. The movie opens at the point of her death. Christopher Plummer (Dolores Claborne) is a cop named Henderson who tries to unravel the mystery surrounding Elizabeth's homicide. We are taken along as things grow increasingly uneasy and disturbing. Henderson himself must come face to face w/ evil, and forces he cannot understand. His facial expression tells it all during the finalé! I like this one a lot, and found Ms. Black's music to be both haunting and tragic...

Disclaimer: The version of the film that I watched was included in a compilation package called 'Horror - Do Not Watch Alone 15 films' by TGG Direct. (This is nearly the same edition as Horror - Do Not Watch Alone (20 Classic Horror Films) by the same company.) As such, I cannot comment on the quality of this product - my review is concerned with the entertainment value of the film only.

There are several elements of this 1973 film that work well and should appeal to viewers with different tastes; however, taken together, I suspect that these elements don't always compliment each other. Those who might appreciate some aspects may not care for others, which makes the film weaker as a whole. Unfortunately, the way that this film is marketed (in individual packages as well as compilations such as the one I have), it is very likely to turn off those who might enjoy it most, and mislead those who would probably like it least into buying it. You must stretch the definition to its very breaking point in order to call this a horror movie - it barely even works as a thriller. More than anything, it is a police procedural, with Christopher Plummer's detective investigating the death of a heroin-addicted call girl played by Karen Black.

One of the benefits of these compilation discs is that I usually have little idea of what the movie is going to be about before I watch - it takes me be surprise, so to speak. Without any expectations, I enjoyed 'The Pyx', even as I could see its weaknesses. In a very excellent opening, the credits appear over scenes shot from the interior of a Montreal cabdriver looking out at the city. At the end of the credits, in the corner of the camera lens almost off screen, we see a body falling from one of the downtown high-rises. This is so underplayed as to almost be shocking. Regardless, the police are quickly called, and thus begins the investigation. As the film continues, we are treated to flashbacks from the point of view of the victim Karen Black interspersed with the investigation into her death.

The film is atmospheric and slow. Director Harvey Hart seems to be going for an accumulated creepiness, though I think the flashback segments interrupt the narrative flow too much to ever establish that kind of mood. What's left is the mystery of exactly what happened to Karen Black's character in her last few hours, although since we do know the eventual results, it does seem a bit academic. Since every other official blurb for this film lets on that there is involvement with a devil cult, it seems like no spoiler to mention it here, though that _is_ the crux of the mystery. Except there is no overt supernatural element -- and using that particular element to make it sound like a horror film is likely to only disappoint people.

With no expectations, and with an attitude that is generally favorable toward 70's cinema (at least to the point of being indulgent toward its many faults), I admit I rather liked this film. Christopher Plummer, Karen Black, and the supporting cast were all in top form here, and even though the film took its time, I never got bored with it. Those who detest slow, mood-building films should probably avoid 'The Pyx', as well as those who have an inherent dislike toward older films, though patient mystery fans should enjoy it.

Of course, there were some points that detracted from it too -- the most, to my mind, was the ending, where the flashbacks met up with the starting point of the story. So much time had been invested to get us to that point that the payoff seemed rushed and unsatisfactory. Also, the choice of having Ms. Black sing on the soundtrack will appeal to some and not others -- I personally like the songs, but the style dates the film. All together, the positives outweigh the negatives, but only by a slim margin. 3 1/2 stars.

From other reviewers and studio information provided by Amazon, its very difficult to tell if _any_ of the current packages of this film are worth investing in. The version I watched was satisfactory for the price I paid (about 50¢ after averaging), though it had several defects - most notably it was very dark. I also watched it on a smaller screen, and I would imagine large, hi-def screens will augment other problems. Those interested in the film may want to wait until a quality imprint releases it, or resign themselves to the defects on the lower-priced horror collections that currently offer it.

The movie opens with a young women seemingly jumping to her death from a high rise building.She is wearing a upside down cross and holding a pyx in her hand.For those who don't know what a pyx is"it's a round container that holds a wafer which is the body and blood of christ"!The picture quality of this 1976 film is very grainy and old.Christopher plummer plays the role of the cop assigned to solve this mysterious death which eventually leads him to the dark side of religion! I'm not going to say much more so I don't give away the story line.If you like Karen Black and old suspense/occult movies then you'll like pyx.This is not a major hollywood production so don't expect major thrills and chills-B movie made in Ontario Canada!

Hillery...I liked the movie!

I liked this film- mostly because I like watching Karen Black. (She also sings several songs in the film).

Christopher Plummer also excels as a tough-nosed cop. The setting is Montreal, Canada.

A heroin addicted call girl (Black) is found splattered on the street, a victim of falling 20 stories from a high-rise apartment complex.

Plummer and his partner pick up various clues along the way to determine who the killer is. Eventually this points to a powerful occult group who entrap the call girl into their schemes.

I really liked the acting of Black and Plummer- really the best part of the movie. The plot is fairly straight-forward murder mystery, but it is their acting that makes this movie stand out.

The daily dispair of a call girl addicted to heroin and a endless stream of nameless men.

The driven cop determined to find the killer at the expense of his personal life.

A dark, gritty, crime drama. Well done.

I bought this DVD, but only watched it for about 10 minutes because of its extremely terrible picture and sound quality. I therefore don't know what the movie is all about. Perhaps someday it'll be reissued on a good quality DVD.

What were Karen Black and Christopher Plummer thinking when they agreed to star in this movie? Obviously they needed jobs, as this dull and muddled film lacks any true artistic merit. While director Harvey Hart tried to be original in his dual flashback style, it doesn't help when the script overloads itself with confusion and awful dialogue. The movie opens with Karen Black hurtling from a high apartment building, and Plummer is the detective out to solve the death. Black was a prostitute, and somehow gets mixed up with a wealthy patron, who obviously has more than sex on his mind. That's about it..and the climax which reveals the reason behind Black's death is as muddled as the rest of the film. Not recommended.