engagement and moves to a old, spooky castle in Scotland that was left to him by this deceased relative. Not to be deterred by Gerald's strange behaviour, Kitty follows him to his new Highland Home.On arrival, She is shocked by her former fiancé's appearance - he has aged significantly and acts in a nervous manner. Gerald allows her to stay but insists in locking her into her room at night. While there she hears mysterious sounds from beyond her door. Intrigued by this, she steals a key and follows the strange sounds. She is startled by a weird frog-like human creature/humanoid??? that she finds roaming the castle corridors. The creature too is frightened and while trying to escape falls from a window, killing itself. Only then can Gerald reveal what has been going on. He tells her that the abomination that she saw was his ancestor and the original master of the keep. When his Uncle dies it became his turn to look after it. Now that the creature is dead and Gerald's obligation gone, he is again free to marry Kitty.
This film was released back in 1953 in 3D and was directed by William Cameron Menzies who was also responsible for the sci-fi classic 'Invaders from Mars' and the 1936 film, 'Things to Come'.
The story-line for the Maze originated from the story of Glamis Castle, a 19th century legend that tells of 11th Earl of Glamis whose first born son was hideously deformed and was locked away in a hidden chamber in the castle. The film also shows some influence of the works of HP Lovecraft in particular 'The Lurking Fear' and 'Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family' - two tales that concern themselves with tainted blood lines. The film has great atmosphere and uses the castle location well, but falls somewhat short in the 'pay off' and the obviously weak and dated makeup of the deformed ancestor.
Trailer for The Maze:
I saw this movie in its theatrical release, in 3-D. It was freaking BIZARRE... I mean, there was a part where there was a funeral procession, and it looked like it was down on the theatre floor... that really freaked me out, cuz it was like the movie had come out of the screen and was right there...
ReplyDeleteI love this movie. When they finally show the monster toward the end, it was unlike anything you were expecting.
never heard of it....added to Netflix Instant Queue
ReplyDeletesounds good, ill be checking it out soon ill let u know what i think.
ReplyDeleteThank God for Netflix Instant - Adding it to my queue as well - Great review - I especially like the background story of the 11th Earl of Glamis.
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