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The Skull
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Genre | Horror |
Format | Multiple Formats, Anamorphic, Color, NTSC, Widescreen |
Contributor | Freddie Francis, Christopher Lee, Patrick Wymark, Peter Cushing |
Language | English |
Runtime | 1 hour and 23 minutes |
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Product Description
Product Description
The Skull teams up horror legends Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in a chilling, supernatural tale of murder from beyond the grave. Based on a short story by Robert Bloch (Psycho), The Skull introduces us to Dr. Christopher Maitland (Cushing), a collector of the occult. When he is given the opportunity to purchase one of the infamous Marquis de Sade, he leaps at the chance. What he doesn't know is that his friend, Matthew Phillips (Lee) is the former owner of the skull - and quite happy to be rid of it. Possession of the Skull leads to a terrifying series of nightmarish events for Dr. Maitland as he tries to keep control of his life, and as the forces of unspeakable evil bear down upon him.
Review
Legend Films has recently acquired a number of Paramount catalog titles to distribute on DVD, including a a handful of long-awaited genre titles. A much wanted crown jewel for horror fans (especially lovers of anything British and/or Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee), The Skull has mostly been viewed in badly panned and scanned transfers which totally detract from the filmmakers intentions. Now it s time to toss out your old VHS copies, because The Skull has finally arrived on DVD in all its widescreen glory!
In 19th century France, a phrenologist (Maurice Good) acquires the skull of the Marquis de Sade, giving it a bath of acid to remove any skin or remains. Believing the skull might answer some questions about de Sade s madness, the phrenologist is soon brutally murdered, with the same fate brought upon anyone who comes across the evil object. In present day (1965) England, researcher and collector Christopher Maitland (Peter Cushing) is sold a human skin-bound autobiography of de Sade by a shady dealer Marco (Patrick Wymark). When Marco returns the following day claiming that the skull he is trying to peddle is that of de Sade, Maitland is reluctant of its authenticity. Friend and fellow collector Sir Matthew Phillips (Christopher Lee) assures him that it is the real deal, as it was actually stolen from him, and he warns Maitland not to make the purchase. Maitland becomes more and more obsessed with the skull, and it eventually comes into his possession, but the warnings of his friend reign true; it is pure evil, bringing on a nightmare world of violence and cruelty.
Although Amicus would be best known for their series of anthologies (this was the next production they made after Dr. Terror s House of Horrors), The Skull remains one of their finest single story outings and an exemplary 1960s genre work. Co-producer/screenwriter Milton Subotsky adapted Robert Bloch s eight-page story The Skull of the Marquis de Sade effectively, and although some feel the film drags in spots, the very capable direction of Freddie Francis shines through. Francis experience as a cinematographer allows his imagination to flow here, with perspective shots through the skull s head. [...]
As the determined collector of the unique and unusual, Peter Cushing is great as Maitland, and the film is one of his best vehicles of the 1960s, as he really is the star of the show and the story evolves around his character. Receiving guest star billing, Cushing s cinematic mate Christopher Lee has a much smaller role, but thankfully he shares most of his screen time with Peter. The chemistry is undeniable, and the duo have a nice bit where they are relaxing over a game of billiards, discussing the Marquis de Sade s deadly cranium. [...]
The only previous home video release of The Skull came in the 1990s when Paramount released it on VHS in a full screen edition in the EP mode. Legend Films DVD release looks terrific, presenting the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with anamorphic enhancement. It s a pleasure to finally see the compositions the way they were meant to be seen, and colors look excellent, with good fleshtones, and there is plenty of detail to the image. The print source is also very clean, with only some printed-on dirt on scenes with opticals. The mono English audio track is also impressive, with clear dialog and music. An original theatrical trailer (in 1.85:1 anamorphic) is a pleasant surprise, as there s no mention of it on the back cover. --George R. Reis of DVDDrive-In.com
Product details
- Aspect Ratio : 2.35:1
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : Unrated (Not Rated)
- Product Dimensions : 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 3.2 Ounces
- Director : Freddie Francis
- Media Format : Multiple Formats, Anamorphic, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
- Run time : 1 hour and 23 minutes
- Release date : June 3, 2008
- Actors : Peter Cushing, Patrick Wymark, Christopher Lee
- Language : Unqualified
- Studio : Legend Films
- ASIN : B0016LFUVQ
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #169,328 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #9,771 in Mystery & Thrillers (Movies & TV)
- Customer Reviews:
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Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2008
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I first seen this film on the USA Network as a teenager back in the late 1980s, but since that time I hadn't seen it, until I purchased the VHS.
This film involves two wealthy London antiques collectors, Christopher Maitland (Peter Cushing) and Sir Matthew Phillips (Christopher Lee). Phillips warns Mr. Maitland to keep away from the skull of the Marquis de Sade, but he wouldn't listen. Maitland's wife, Jane Maitland (played by Jill Bennett) also warns him about the dangers he's getting himself in, but to no avail. Mr. Maitland acquires questionable artifacts from a questionable person named Mr. Anthony Marco, including a book on the Marquis de Sade which is bound in human skin, and plus the skull of the Marquis de Sade. As it turns out the Marquis was possessed and the possession continues long after his death. The skull is possessed and influences whoever owns the skull to do evil things against their free will, and that's what happens to Christopher Maitland.
What is really silly is some of the scenes where the skull is floating and you can see wires attached. Also when the skull floats, it looks like a different skull, as if it was made of clay than a real skull.
If you like those late-night horror films like what you remember seeing late at night on TV, this is a great one to see.
the movies plot to Peter Cushing. And wrote out a unique set of scenes for him. You see chistopher Lee in the movie too! But has a more limited role in the movie. At one point in the movie all the colors in a minor way start to stand out in Cushings curio Library and start to move and swirl around in a few patterns. And had the look of the lighting and background of the old tv shows Dark Shadows or so it seemed to be. The only thing they can do now in the future is make the prequel to this movie where they tell the story about the 4 demon statues.. The skull and one of the statues have a great scene with Peter. Where the skull floats through the air for some magical reason. For some reason Peter Cushing has passed away some time in the year 1994 although it really seems like it was in the early 1980s. If you want a good movie and want to study Peters movies this would be the one to start with. You never will see anything like it again. The DVD has the same cover picture on it. And a small background song. No extra footage or interviews on this Dvd. You really should buy two of these dvds incase something happens to the first one. Dont know how long they will be around.
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.
The Skull is about Cushing as Dr. Christopher Maitland an occult researcher. He buys the cursed skull of the Marquis de Sade which of course starts driving him mad. Like a Hammer film there’s nothing really scary about the story. Rather it’s all about setting the right mood which it accomplishes. Maitland for example gets sucked deeper and deeper into his research that you can tell it’s not going to end well.
Basically if you like Hammer films you’ll like The Skull.
C
Top reviews from other countries

The film itself is very different from the output of Amicus's main competitor, Hammer Films, and is one of the most unusual horror films of the period, the reasons for which are detailed in the interviews on the disk. A creepy, surreal gem, containing some of the best work of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Well worth discovering if you're new to the film, and if you're already a fan, how can you not have this in your collection?


Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 13, 2018
The film itself is very different from the output of Amicus's main competitor, Hammer Films, and is one of the most unusual horror films of the period, the reasons for which are detailed in the interviews on the disk. A creepy, surreal gem, containing some of the best work of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Well worth discovering if you're new to the film, and if you're already a fan, how can you not have this in your collection?



Although moody & atmospheric, the movie sometimes smoulders when it should spark into flame....it needs a certain something - an extra frisson. While the moody & atmospheric feel manages to elevate the story to the level of a decent horror yarn, the contribution from Messrs Cushing & Lee also brings enough gravitas to their respective characters, along with good performances from the rest of the cast which includes Jill Bennett & Patrick Wymark. The dialogue is solid, along with some evocative incidental music.
With it's good production values, the movie looks impressive & the tale, which is based on a short story by Robert Bloch, is an intriguing premise: Dr. Christopher Maitland (Peter Cushing) is a collector with a fascination with the occult. Maitland is presented with the opportunity to acquire the diminutive skull of the infamous Marquis de Sade - a macabre objet d'art which in sinister fashion, observes those in it's company through it's empty eye sockets. Ignoring the warnings from his friend, Matthew Phillips (Christopher Lee) the skull's previous owner, Maitland takes possession of it, which leaves him battling the murderous forces of evil within the skull.
The movie is probably best appreciated by settling down in your favourite armchair on a winter's night, rather than a way to round off a boozy friday night on the town. I've just watched it for the third time in a couple of years, so it must be handing me enough to keep me coming back - it's good but not a classic IMO.
This Legend Films Region 1 widescreen release has good picture & sound quality. The only extra is the movie's 2-minute trailer. There are no subtitles.


Like its predecessor, "The Skull" is a good movie, but not a great movie. This is partly to the production's decision to remain at the surface of the story and not dig into what could have been darker undertones - Black masses, Devil worship etc...
The closest the film gets to this is when Peter Cushing is made prisoner by two thugs and have to play Russian roulette in front of a judge.
The scene is very scary and unsettling and gives an idea about the direction the film could have followed.
As it is, "The Skull" is a reasonably good gothic effort, very cinematographic (there is virtually no dialogue in the last twenty minutes) and overall enjoyable. But I feel it somehow feels to deliver on the premise of Robert Bloch's story.

this film isn't really a collaboration between peter cushing and christopher lee as the screenplay is tailor-made for cushing. in itself, that is a good thing but surely amicus could have found a better production for his talents? even so, like a true professional, peter cushing makes the most of a rather unpromising storyline. speaking of which, it concerns an antiques collector whose recent purchase of a mysterious and cursed skull seems to have taken possession of its current owner and the usual mayhem ensues.
i was glad that there were about 2 scenes featuring cushing and lee in the film, it helped slightly to make the whole thing a bit more watchable.
however, "the skull" film will not go down as a masterpiece of horror, nor even that of a minor classic.
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