The Oblong Box
Directed by Gordon Hessler
Written by Lawrence Huntington and Christopher Wicking from a story by Edgar Allen Poe
1969/UK
IMDb link
First viewing/Amazon Prim3
They Shoot Zombies, Don’t They?
[box] N’Galo: We have knowledge of things you know nothing of.[/box]
When horror movies are a suitable exchange for worry, it must be Lockdown.
The story takes place in 19th Century England or at least that’s where it settles. The beginning takes place in Africa. The Markham family has made a handsome fortune on the backs of Africans. The elaborate opening sorcery/voodoo scene is quite intriguing. Eventually the witchdoctor draws Edward Markham to the ceremony where he is made hideously ugly and insane by magic. His brother Julian (Vincent Price) takes him home and locks him in the attic. Julian then proceeds with his courtship and marriage to the much younger Elizabeth.
Edward’s lawyer Trench and the sorcerer come to England to spring him. Unfortunately, their scheme accidentally sees Julian buried alive. Julian once again escapes. He forces local doctor J. Neuhartt (Christopher Lee) to shelter him while he carries out his revenge plans.
Well, the ending didn’t come as a surprise and Christopher Lee is wasted in much too small and straight a part. But we do get Price who is always fascinating to watch and a bunch of the salacious and cruel set ups that are typical of this era of British horror. Not great but quite watchable.
