Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Shuttered Room (1967)

Director: David Greene

Starring: Gig Young, Carol Lynley, Oliver Reed, Flora Robson, Judith Arthy, Rick Jones, Ann Bell, William Devlin, Charles Lloyd Pack, Bernard Kay

More info: IMDb

Tagline: There are some doors that should never be opened.

Plot:  In a small island off the American coast, the Whateleys live in an old mill where a mysterious bloody being creates an atmosphere of horror. After her parents get killed by lightning, young Susannah is sent to New York by her aunt Agatha, who wants her to avoid the family curse. Years later Susannah, now married, persuades her husband to spend a holiday in the abandoned mill. Once on the island, Susannah and Mike soon find themselves exposed to the hostility of a gang of thugs led by Ethan, Susannah's brutal cousin.


My rating: 6/10

Will I watch it again? No.

Here's an OK British thriller that's not all that thrilling.  It takes place in New England but the locals all seem like they were air lifted from The South.  They're Rednecks but without the deep Southern drawl but it's there, even with Oliver Reed which takes time getting used to.  It also has a STRAW DOGS (1971) vibe when it comes to the attempted rape scene, the difference here being that Mike (Young) can handle himself in a fight and he isn't afraid to do so.  The reveal at the end is pretty weak and for Susannah's (Lynley) family it seems like the worst option the characters (her parents and aunt) could have chosen.  I was mostly on board with the picture until the final few minutes.




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